International Women's Day 2019
How to be Innovative as a woman
Today is International Women's Day and I had the beautiful opportunity to be invited as a guest speaker for the first time in my life. The occasion could not have been more exciting and I was truly honored.
I talked about how women can "Innovate for Change" for the organization International Women of Saskatoon. The event took place in the Cedar Room, at the Park Town Hotel, Downtown Saskatoon, SK.
Fiyin Obayan (Okiki Consulting)
Here's is the written form of the answers I gave to the questions given to me in preparation for my presentation.
1. What does 'innovate for change' mean to you?
I believe to be an innovative woman; you have to invest in yourself. Invest in all the necessary areas of your life. This effort will not be a perfect process, but the goal is growth.
Innovation is simply problem-solving. It is keeping your eyes and ears open to the current processes in our world and trying to see how they can be done better.
2. What obstacles have you encountered and how did you overcome them? What did you learn?
In terms of being an immigrant, and a visible minority, my biggest obstacles was finding my identity as a Nigerian-Canadian.
The struggle to fit in moving to Saskatoon, SK at the age of five and as the only black girl in my class was a real challenge at times, and it wasn't just about race. It was world views, traditions, and customs. It was the fact the I ate rice with the blended stew that had curry smells my classmates were not accustomed to and I got asked all sorts of questions about myself from my food to my various hairstyles. It seemed like everything about me set me apart.
Those early obstacles taught me at a young age that I was, in fact, different and yet I still felt in my heart that Canada was home, therefore, I felt proud to be Canadian. I realized my perspective and my version of being Canadian compared to my classmates of European descent was unique and equally valid.
I didn't start embracing the qualities that made me different, until my later teens and young adult years. I began to recognize that my cultural background was an asset to an organization because it gave me a unique perspective that my peers didn't have. These insights gave me something valuable that I could bring to organization. I had international experience, I was well traveled as I had also lived in Australia, and England prior to moving to Canada. I had also traveled to Japan and Istanbul during my years as a student. I loved meeting exchange students and learning how to interact with different cultural groups. I loved speaking multiple languages and I was bringing novel ideas based on my own perspective.
3. Do you have any strategies or resources that helped you innovate for a change?
Invest in your mind. We now live in a time where we have access to so many learning resources that are either free or quite affordable. In Canada, in the US, even right here in Saskatoon, SK. In 2019 education has never been more accessible.
One of my favourite resources is Lynda.com, now also called LinkedIn Learning. I've used it through my U of S Alumni benefits. It is now free at the public library in Saskatoon with your library card. With this database, you have access to literally educational thousands of videos, and professional instructors. These instructors teach courses many applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and there are even coding courses.
I recommended it to my little sister before she went to school in Virginia Tech. From home, she was able to learn how to use professional industry level architectural software and prepare herself for the first year of college.
Also, when you finish a certificate, LinkedIn Learning publishes that certification to your LinkedIn profile helping you to develop a more robust profile for employers.
If you do not have a LinkedIn account get one, 87% of recruiters use this app to hire employees (TalentWorksInternational, 2018).
Invest in your soul. Take care of your mind. Take care of your heart and emotions. Don't work to the point of burnout. Rest is as valuable as work. Schedule times of rest and schedule times of work. The more you work towards balance, the more productive you will be. You can not create and innovate well on an exhausted mind. Take the time to develop healthy life-giving relationships. Time with close friends and family often bring refreshment and warmth to your soul. Meet mentors, and new people, who have the knowledge to share with you are and willing to give of themselves to help you to grow.
Invest in your spirit. Take time to pray and sit in silence, and it will impact the rest of your life. As a woman of faith, I believe in Jesus, and I believe my innovative ideas come from God. Nourish yourself with the truth to combat self-destructive lies that would hold you back.
4. In your view, how can immigrants or women, in general, be better supported to enter your professional field? What barriers have you seen that prevent immigrant/ women in general from entering your field?
Finding networks like International Women of Saskatoon and the many organizations in Saskatoon like Saskatoon's Open Door society that are set up to give you helpful resources.
In my field as an entrepreneur and someone who works in communications for organizations, the most significant barrier would be having access to the skills that an organization would need like knowing Adobe Creative Suite, and some coding skills.
Speaking with confidence to your future employers at interviews is a necessary skill. Work with any career coaching that you have access to garner those skills.
Also, as I mentioned before grow your skills through LinkedIn Learning, YouTube tutorials, and use the Public Library. We have access to more information than ever before.
5. Any advice you may have for women/girls who are interested in working in your field?
Network. Talk to people, find more mentors, invest in yourself. Actively look for opportunities and let others know you are looking for opportunities as well.
Panel: Fiyin Obayan (Okiki Consulting), Julianna Tang & Ying Tang ( Those Chocolate Girls)
For more about Okiki Consulting: www.okikiconsulting.com
For more about Those Chocolate Girls: www.thosegirlsatthemarket.com
For more about International Women of Saskatoon: https://iwssaskatoon.org/