Fireside Wisdom: DCU Alumni Webinar Series Continues with Insight and Inspiration

Tonight marked the third instalment of DCU’s Alumni Fireside Chat Webinar Series, and it delivered in full. Featuring Professor Maura McAdam and Yemi Ajomale, Lead – Transformation and Strategic risk – Group Internal Audit at the Bank of Ireland, the conversation was authentic, energising, and full of hard-won wisdom. For alumni and students alike, it offered a clear reminder: your career is not just a path, it’s a strategy.

Yemi shared his journey from arriving in Ireland to discovering the power of values-based work. It wasn’t until he hit a career obstacle that he asked the hard questions: What do I enjoy? What am I good at? What matters to me?

That reflection became a turning point. “The obstacle is the way,” he quoted, explaining how challenges pushed him to find work aligned with his strengths and core values. The result? Promotions, growth, and purpose. His takeaway: “Burnout isn’t about workload—it’s about working on things that don’t align with your values.”

He also spoke to the power of relationships and the power of building a network, advising those starting their postgraduate journey to grab all opportunities to grow your network such as clubs and socs within DCU along with engaging with DCU Careers office early on.

He also spoke about his volunteering over the years and mentioned that in his role in the African Network of Ireland within Corporate partnerships space with organisations, he said the conversations with the likes of DCU were “surprisingly easy,” because of Ireland’s supportive culture and appetite for inclusion. “People wanted to help. We even had to turn some away partners due to the sheer volume but even in a receptive climate, consistency and clarity of purpose are what keep the momentum going.

On juggling a demanding role with volunteering and public speaking, Yemi made it sound simple: “When it aligns with what you care about, it doesn’t drain you—it fuels you.”

Audience questions spanned introversion, career growth, and navigating the job market as an international student. Yemi’s advice: choose an organisation, not just a job. Build relationships. Be intentional. Even introverts, he noted, can thrive in leadership roles by cultivating strong, meaningful connections in their own way.

Professor McAdam echoed many of these themes, emphasizing the entrepreneurial mindset—curiosity, alignment, energy—as critical to both personal success and organisational impact.

Whether you’re a recent grad, mid-career, or still finding your footing, tonight’s conversation offered a powerful reminder: when you align your energy with your purpose, opportunities tend to follow.

Stay tuned for the final of our alumni webinar of our May Fireside Chat series next Thursday where we will be joined by Lye Ogunsanya. Register to attend via this link.