Grad School Buddy
ebelechukwu monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji
Grad School Buddy provides reliable resources that help grad students worldwide confidently navigate grad school and excel in their careers. We aim to equip and nurture the next generation of thinkers and doers interested in redefining rules and bringing positive change to their communities.
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Top 10 Grad School Buddy Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Grad School Buddy episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Grad School Buddy for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Grad School Buddy episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Season 1 Episode 2: Cost of Graduate School Applications
Grad School Buddy
01/03/22 • 14 min
How much do you need for the entire grad school application process? In this episode, we talk about a simple graduate school application checklist and how much each item on this list costs. Here is an episode for everyone who wants to understand how much they can expect to spend before, during, and after the application process.
Season 4 Episode 3: Lecturing in My 20s: Chisom Ogamba's Bold Dreams for Academia in Nigeria
Grad School Buddy
04/26/25 • 76 min
Some people are born teachers.
At just 25, Chisom Paula Ogamba stepped into a classroom at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, as a lecturer in English and Linguistics. In this episode, she walks us through her unique journey, from a curious undergrad who loved simplifying complex topics for her peers to a sociolinguist and PhD researcher passionate about critical narrative analysis.
Chisom had no plan to be a lecturer. In fact, she just wanted to finish school and move on. But during her NYSC year, she found herself drawn to teaching, and that changed everything. We discussed her journey to academia, the highs and lows, and the challenges young lecturers face, from poor pay to limited access to resources, and what needs to change to create a thriving academic system in Nigeria.
This conversation is honest, insightful, and full of vision, especi ally for those who dare to dream. Tune in now to hear how Chisom is carving out her place in academia and why this episode is nothing short of a linguistics masterclass.
Host: Ebelechukwu Monye
Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji
Guest: Chisom Paula Ogamba
Season 3 Episode 10: Grad School Buddy Catches Up With Old Classmates (with Chukwuma Nwoye, Kosiso Madu and Conrad Omodiagbe)
Grad School Buddy
09/21/24 • 70 min
Conrad, Kosiso, and Chukwuma were classmates from the 2016 Class of the Department of Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Today, we bring you an engaging conversation between them as they discuss the different directions their lives and careers have taken since graduation.
After earning their bachelor’s in economics, each has thrived in diverse career paths shaped by their unique interests and values. While Chuks and Kosy continue to further their careers in academia, with both currently in econ PhD programs, Conrad has chosen a different path, pursuing a master’s degree in public relations and strategic communications.
This conversation showcases the power of individuality, demonstrating how people from similar backgrounds can go on to choose their own unique and individual paths in life. Tune in to listen to these classmates reminisce on their past and where life has taken them.
Hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji
Guests: Conrad Johnson, Chukwuma Nwoye and Kosiso Madu
Season 2 Episode 1: From Lagos Banker to Duke Fuqua Business School Alum (with Layo Sotin)
Grad School Buddy
10/15/22 • 52 min
There’s always one crazy tale or the other about Lagos Bankers. So, naturally, we wanted to verify whether these claims were valid. To put our curiosity to rest, we met with Layo, a former Lagos Investment Banker and an alum of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
This episode is for the everyday person with a regular job and extraordinary dreams. Layo’s versatility allows us to explore how to finance business school degrees (with zero family fortunes), buy a car abroad, develop mindsets for graduate school success, and find love.
If you enjoy this, please share it with your friends and family who might be going through the graduate school journey. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and IG so you’ll be the first to know when we have new episodes of our newsletter or podcast.
With love,
Your Grad School Buddy.
Season 2 Episode 11: A Detailed Guide to Finding Internships and Jobs (with Andrea Ocando)
Grad School Buddy
05/27/23 • 62 min
Younger Andrea, from Caracas, Venezuela, would be proud of who today’s guest grew up to become. Hers is a story of consistency, strategy, and holding on to a childhood dream nurtured by months spent role-playing at the Model United Nations.
She takes us back to high school to explore what this experience meant and how it influenced her college and grad school decisions and led to her current dream job. Our conversation simplifies strategies for navigating the world of finding globally placed, impactful internships and jobs.
Before saying goodbye, she generously provides us with a database of over 1800 global impact firms and helpful tips on using it effectively. Finally, she leaves us with some powerful words on vulnerability - ‘once you find the people that give you that safe space, you never know what will come from it (being vulnerable).
Please listen, share, and subscribe. Thank you!
All my love,
Your Grad School Buddy.
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Background music credit: Early Avril, “Unicorn Heads.”
09/05/22 • 47 min
To end this season, the host opens up about herself by going through a question-and-answer thread developed by 'Alimosho Agbani Darego (@Mzrhemmy on Twitter).' Listen to this relaxing, laid-back, humor-filled episode and share your answers with us! We'll respond to every message we get.
All my love,
Your Grad School Buddy.
Season 2 Episode 10: Never Say 'It's Too Late' with Carrie Reilley
Grad School Buddy
04/22/23 • 50 min
Hey guys, here’s the “Never Say it’s Too Late” to go to graduate school episode you’ve been asking for. Today, Grad School Buddy meets up with Carrie, a detective in New York who decided to go to grad school almost two decades after getting an undergrad.
In this episode of the podcast, she talks about moving from New York to Washington, DC, getting a work-based scholarship to fund her education, and how a ‘leap of faith’ helped her reach her goals.
Carrie has a Master of Arts in Public Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Production and Management from the state university college in Buffalo. Her story serves as an inspiration to anyone who feels like it’s too late to pursue their dreams.
Listen to this episode if you need light-hearted cheer from an older soul to get you through the many challenges of grad school, and don’t forget to share it with friends and family.
All my love,
Your Grad School Buddy.
Today’s episode sheds light on going to grad school in Nigeria. The conversation with both Nnamdi Ohachenu and Chisom Igwilo who are currently studying for a master’s degree in Economics posed a thrilling reveal of how contrasting their experience in grad school is.
Nnamdi who studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (a public school in Nigeria) recounts his day-to-day school life structure, the challenges he faces, and how difficult it was to navigate public school lifestyle after going to private school for his undergrad.
On the other hand, Chisom talks about how well-structured and accommodating her school is due to the hybrid setting. She studies at a private university in Abuja and she addresses the positive ambience she felt in comparison to her experience as an undergrad in a public university.
Throughout the episode, it is interesting to observe both of them experience cultural shock as opposed to their backgrounds as undergrads. It highlighted just how relatable and different the day-to-day school life structure is for the average Nigerian student.
Honestly, you have to listen to this episode for the full gist! And share with everyone going through the grad school process.
Cheers!
Grad School Buddy
Season 2 Episode 8: Submitting a Successful Chevening Scholarship Application (with Dr. Cyril)
Grad School Buddy
03/11/23 • 85 min
Have you ever wondered how to acquire the highly acclaimed Chevening scholarship? Our guest, Dr. Cyril, an Ophthalmologist and Surgeon, a Chevening scholar, provides insight in today's episode.
Cyril explains in detail his motivations for applying to the scholarship and his program of choice; he cites planning, time management, and research as the core of his application process and imminent success in his pursuits. He firmly believes that while studying hard, there will always be time to have fun as he lets us in on his skydiving and bungee jumping adventures.
Please don't forget to like, share and subscribe if you have enjoyed this episode of Grad School Buddy's podcast.
With love,
Your Grad School Buddy.
04/11/22 • 80 min
One of the things we want our listeners to have as they navigate this journey is information.
In this episode, we converse with Chukwuebuka Amaji, a finance professional who has put off grad school for a few years to gain practical experience.
We discuss what led to his decision, coping with the stress of working in Lagos and applying for grad school, and skills that have helped him thrive in the competitive finance industry despite having a Bachelor's in Engineering from the University of Ibadan.
Host and editor: Ebelechukwu Monye
Guest: Chukwuebuka Amaji
Podcast song: @benzy_wahala
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FAQ
How many episodes does Grad School Buddy have?
Grad School Buddy currently has 40 episodes available.
What topics does Grad School Buddy cover?
The podcast is about Learning, Grad School, Podcasts, Education, Business, Careers and Life.
What is the most popular episode on Grad School Buddy?
The episode title 'Season 2 Episode 10: Never Say 'It's Too Late' with Carrie Reilley' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Grad School Buddy?
The average episode length on Grad School Buddy is 52 minutes.
How often are episodes of Grad School Buddy released?
Episodes of Grad School Buddy are typically released every 23 days, 12 hours.
When was the first episode of Grad School Buddy?
The first episode of Grad School Buddy was released on Dec 10, 2021.
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