Hey there, I’m Adeola ‘Dunsin Sorunke and this is my story.
I began my banking career on September 5, 2024, with a 6-month Graduate Management Accelerated Program. On March 10, 2025, I resumed as a fully employed Trade Help Desk Officer in a new city, in the Centre of Excellence. But I quit my new role after just two weeks!
Here’s a little backstory before I tell you why…
In my previous job, I worked as a Brand and Communications Strategist. I managed internal and external communications, branding, corporate gifting, social media, graphic design, video editing, SMS and email marketing, website management and blogging (a lot, I know. Lol). I had single-handedly established this department and remained its first and only team member throughout my 4 years there. I relied on the experience and knowledge I gained during my 3 years of interning and freelancing as a student.
Okay, back to me quitting…
About a week after being posted to the Trade Services Department, I told a friend in the Marketing and Corporate Communications (MCC) Department that Trade was completely new to me and a big shift from my 7-year career path. I had worked in Insurance for 5 years alongside Communications and had even completed 17 professional exams to become an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. The Trade role felt like another detour from my expertise. When she asked why I had not “fought” for an MCC posting like some colleagues, I simply replied, “What will be will be.”
Two working days later, she unexpectedly asked for my CV and portfolio, which I sent without much thought. The next day, she told me to check my email for an interview invitation. I was surprised! I went from the 3rd floor to the 15th for the interview, which felt more like a pleasant conversation than a formal test (best interview I have ever had!). That weekend, I received a reposting letter from HR directing me to start my new role as Content Development Specialist the following Monday, March 24, 2025, which was also my 25th birthday. It truly felt like a miracle!
As of today, I have completed a full year with United Bank for Africa (UBA): 6 months as a graduate trainee and 6 months in my present role in Lagos. Here are some of my highlights so far:
- My graduation from the GMAP, where I listened to Tony O. Elumelu speak in person for the first time
- Designing my group’s project presentation in banking school
- The Selling, Marketing and Networking course taught by Ferdinand Ibezim during banking school
- The first Jogging-to-Bond event I attended, where I took a picture with Mudasiru Sanusi, the Group Chief Compliance Officer
- My first days in banking school, on-the-job training, resumption at the head office and at my new department
- Writing my first product marketing copy
- My first Africa Day celebration
- Conducting an audit of the new UBA website under the supervision of Tolu Alero Ladipo, the Group Head of MCC, Amanda Obianuju Oguamanam, the Head of Digital Marketing and Temitope Somuwa, Group Website Audit & Optimisation Officer
- Writing the marketing copies and scripts for the UBA Super Savers Promo, the 2025 UBA Back-to-School campaign and the new website launch
- Participating in the UBA Business Series
- Enjoying after-work activities with my amazing colleagues
- Discovering the delicious meat pie sold on the 17th floor (the Melting Pot)
- Experiencing the insane Marina breeze. It could blow you off your feet and I am not joking!
- Navigating the infamous Apongbon Marina traffic (Ah!)
And that’s my story.
I would like to wrap it up with some appreciation:
- Thank you to OlaOluwa Agbeja for insisting I apply for the job.
- Thank you to Oluwakemi (Rachel) Olusina for recommending me to the Content and Creatives unit, where I now work as a Content Development Specialist.
- Thank you to my awesome teammates Banji Popoola, Adetola James Adedapo, Idongesit Anthony Mfon, Fikayomi Odewabi, David Oketoki and Ebiaku Thompson for giving me a soft landing and making work so much fun.
- Thank you to my friends and family who have been my backbone throughout this 12-month journey. A lot of hurdles came with changing jobs and moving cities, but they helped me through them all.
Finally, I thank myself for being brave like a true lioness of the Tribe (if you know, you know).
And I say a warm thank you for reading to the end of this long story. Catch ya in my next post!
