Miriam Odonkor: Focus on Your North Star and Be Open to Opportunities

Akoben: Stories of Impact. Tales of Courage is a series that speaks about the power of education as a tool for transformative change in the world. They are told through the lens of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni. Here is Miriam’s story.

Miriam Odonkor graduated senior high school in Ghana with a perfect score of eight A’s on her West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE). It had been a journey of obstacles, especially in her final year as her parents were unable to pay her school fees.

“My parents told me that if I hadn’t gotten the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for Ashesi University, they were going to put me into a trade because they could not afford to send me to the university. They told me point-blank, but they only told me after I got into Ashesi because it was just something they were planning in secret.”

To help her toward the finish line, Miriam’s high school friends came together to contribute toward her tuition. The generosity and her efforts paid off and she got a perfect score on her WASSSCE. This journey birthed in Miriam a desire to give back to other girls who, like her, grew up in difficult circumstances. She believes she would not be where she is without the support of others.

Despite her stellar grades, Miriam’s educational future remained uncertain because her parents could not fund her tertiary education. Miriam’s acceptance into the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Ashesi University was a joyous moment not only for her but also for her household. She would be breaking a number of glass ceilings by becoming the first in her family to gain a university degree.

“My transition to Ashesi University was initially challenging. I was so different from the other students who were from well-to-do homes. I struggled to assimilate into the community. Once I was able to overcome this, everything became very smooth.”

Miriam went on to study Business Administration at Ashesi University. Along with other Mastercard Foundation Scholars, she benefitted from the holistic support and leadership training available to them. It was during her time at Ashesi University that Miriam discovered her passion for international development.

After her studies, Miriam began to take steps to enter the world of international development. While conducting research, Miriam discovered the Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs in France and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the university. She proceeded to apply and was accepted into the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the second time.

“We grew up in one of the slum communities in Ghana and so then it would be very difficult for my parents to even afford a university education. And so they were excited about the Ashesi University opportunity with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. But then when I got into Sciences Po, they were over the moon because it was not only the fact that I was able to go to university, but I was also able to transition and get a master’s opportunity. It was overwhelming for my family and we were truly, truly grateful for the opportunity.”

Choosing to study at Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs was an intentional decision for Miriam. Driven by her interest in international development, she resonated with the school and its diverse offerings. Miriam found great interest in her two majors, Global Economy and African Studies. Her previous experience with the Scholars Program at Ashesi University prepared her for what lay ahead. Her proficiency in the French language also played a pivotal role in her smooth transition to the vibrant cultural landscape of Paris. Through dedication and commitment, Miriam found her stride excelling not only academically but also forging meaningful connections with fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholars.

The main advice I have for people transitioning from higher education into the workplace is to be open. What you’re interested in would be like your North Star, but it will not be a straight line to get there. For some people it’s a straight line, but for others you might have to explore other opportunities first before you get to where you’re going. But that should not discourage you from focusing on your North Star, which is your final destination…or where you finally want to land in.”

Upon completion of her studies, Miriam enjoyed a seamless transition to work. She discovered opportunities at a global consulting firm named Dalberg through a Work in Africa session organized by Sciences Po in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Miriam contacted one of the recruiters and managed to earn an interview. She successfully went through the application process and was offered a role as a consultant.

Miriam now works on a series of interesting projects across different sectors including climate, finance, health and entrepreneurship. She is pursuing her desired career in international development and living her passion as a transformative leader.

“What I’m most grateful for so far is being able to fully transition into the development space. And so being able to get my master’s, get into a development consulting company, and then finally get to work on developing projects that I could see were directly related to improving lives of children, mothers, and people in Africa, I think would be something that I’m truly grateful for.”

Watch Miriam’s Story Here

Read more stories from the Akoben series