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“Your journey at DC is just the beginning of an extraordinary career path”: DC Supply Chain Management student on returning to school and finding success

Graduate Spotlight: Temilola Abiola Komolafe

Durham College (DC) Supply Chain Management — Global graduate, Temilola Abiola Komolafe, says she felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness when she began her program, similar to what she felt 24 years ago when she first stepped onto a campus.

“Life’s unpredictable twists led me from a fulfilling career in human resources in my home country to a fresh start in Canada,” explained Komolafe, who is originally from Nigeria. While she felt like a first-time student again, she soon found a supportive environment at DC, she explained.

“The welcoming atmosphere and the collective spirit of my peers and professors alike made it evident that success here was a shared goal.”

Her decision to study Supply Chain Management stemmed from a family conversation. Her husband has a master’s degree in logistics management and aspires to establish a logistics company.

“We realized that my understanding of this domain would not only support his venture but also catalyze my growth,” said Komolafe. “Durham College emerged as the ideal choice for this journey.”

Komolafe said DC helped her access new opportunities and embrace new challenges and her studies had a direct impact on her job search.

“I was able to ace the technical parts of my recruitment process thanks in large part to the college’s strict focus on practical abilities,” she said. “DC’s one-of-a-kind method of combining theory and practice helped me stand out during job interviews, particularly for work requiring advanced Excel skills.

“One of the courses I had in my first semester – Business Acumen for Supply Chain Management Professionals – was crucial, and it turned out to be an unexpected advantage as I was getting ready for my interviews. This class helped me articulate my value offer to prospective employers.”

Her advice to students is to embrace challenges as stepping stones.

“In the ever-evolving world of Supply Chain Management, stay curious, adaptable, and driven. Your journey at DC is just the beginning of an extraordinary career path.”

As she pursues a career in supply chain management and supports her family’s business venture, Komolafe said she wants to stay dedicated to growth, both personally and professionally.

“Reflecting on my journey, I am reminded that it’s never too late to embrace change and pursue new knowledge. Durham College has not only provided me with education but also a community where growth and success are a collective pursuit,” she said. “As I look forward to the next chapter, I carry with me the lessons and experiences from Durham College that will undoubtedly shape my future.”

The road to employment: How one graduate credits his success to the powerful impact of his professors

Graduate Spotlight – REJOY JAMES

When Class of 2023 graduate Rejoy James reflects on his time at Durham College (DC), he’ll always remember his professors and the role they played in helping him land his dream job as a Vendor Compliance and Product Stewardship Analyst at Staples Inc. – even before finishing his final classes and exams.

Rejoy’s new job combines the skills from both programs he completed at DC – Data Analytics for Business Decision Making and Supply Chain Management – Global, where he is part of the first graduating class set to cross the Convocation stage in June.

While the pandemic impacted Rejoy’s experience when he first enrolled at DC in September 2021, the timeliness and relevancy of his programs offered the chance to apply the course materials to real-life scenarios, strengthening his understanding and preparing him to become a career-ready graduate.

We caught up with Rejoy to learn more about his DC experience and plans for the future.

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How did DC prepare you to be career-ready?

I owe a lot to my professors at DC because they made my experience so memorable. They are professionals with industry experience, which I found to be one of the best things. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like you’re talking to a professor. They really help you and never shy away from questions.

What led you to further your education at DC?

I always had this idea that I would go into the data analysis field, but after the support I received from my professors, I thought, “What if I take another program at DC?” That’s what led me to the Supply Chain Management – Global program.

What impacts did the pandemic have on your studies and your DC experience?

Since data analysis is programming-based, I was a bit skeptical about how a fully-online program would work, but all the professors were experts at teaching online and communicating with students virtually. Whatever question I had, they had the answer.

In my Supply Chain Management – Global program, we were constantly talking about the pandemic, and how the supply chain was affected. I learned that the supply chain is like the glue that holds all the industries together. For example, we discussed the chip shortage and toilet paper demand and were able to apply the in-class concepts in the real world so we could see how customers would be impacted.

How did your professors help you land your first job before you even graduated?

Many of my professors were willing to go beyond the syllabus and teach us more about how to do things, and how to develop soft skills, such as interviewing. We discussed what questions employers might ask so we could be better prepared. Along with the course material, this career development helped me land my new role at Staples Inc. and I’m very grateful.

How will your DC credentials, along with your previous education support you in your new role?

I never imagined I’d land my first job even before graduating. My new role will combine five of my six credentials and I’m very excited. In addition to my two DC graduate certificates, I hold a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration (Management), a Product Design and Analysis diploma and a Chartered Management Institute Level 7 diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.