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.

  1. 1D AGO

    Season 5 Episode 1: What to Expect From GSB's Career Insights Series (with Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji)

    Welcome to the premiere episode of  Season Five, themed ‘GSB’s Career Insight Series.’ In this season, we will break down unique career paths, one conversation at a time.  This episode serves as a blueprint for what's to come. Join our co-hosts Ebelechukwu, who is a social scientist and researcher in the international development and public policy sector, and Chukwuebuka, who works in Private Equity and Venture Capital, focusing on fintech investment across emerging African markets. In this conversation, we explore two fields you may not have heard of or may only know at a surface level. You’ll discover the less-visible roles within international development and private equity/venture capital spaces that keep these industries running, the skills needed to break into these spaces, and the gaps early-career professionals are well positioned to fill. Tune in now for practical insight into how these industries work. Co-hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji   If you enjoyed this episode, please turn on your notifications for more on the GSB Career Insights Series.   Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    27 min

  2. 12/20/2025

    Season 4 Episode 11: Did Someone Say Season Finale?

    The year is coming to an end, and we didn't want to sign off without a proper goodbye. For the Season Finale, we kept it in-house, just the four of us looking at 2025 in review. We talked about everything: our favorite podcast guests, the GSB mentees, collaborations, the lessons from the year, and our hopes for next season. We discussed what keeps our team tight and what it really takes to sustain GSB four years in. It's a wholesome, honest look at the journey so far. To everyone who's been with us this year, thank you. Your support means everything to us, and we couldn't have done this without you. Hit play and join us for this special finale episode as we close out the year together. Co-hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji   Guests: Chike Onyekwelu, Hairat Olawumi  Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    33 min

  3. 11/22/2025

    Season 4 Episode 10: Empowering the Next Generation of Grad Students (an Event by Grad School Buddy and EduFurther)

    In this special episode, we bring you highlights from our live event hosted by Grad School Buddy in collaboration with EduFurther, designed to equip the next generation of graduate students with real-world guidance and mentorship to thrive in grad school and beyond. On the panel, Rokeebat discussed grad school preparation and cleared common misconceptions about pursuing a graduate degree; ebelechukwu reflected on the impact of grad school and how to make the most of the experience; and Chukwuebuka explored building a thriving career without an advanced degree. The discussion was followed by a Q&A and themed breakout sessions, where mentors from Grad School Buddy and EduFurther answered personalized questions from participants, offering actionable advice and mentorship. If you missed the live event, this episode brings all the insights straight to you. Tune in now to discover strategies needed to navigate grad school and beyond Featuring: Rokeebat Hammed, Ebelechukwu Monye, and Chukwuebuka Amaji, Amatullah Mahmoud, Hairat Olawumi, Goodness Ajamu, Gbenga Idowu Elufisan, Shamim Ibrahim, and Chukwuebuka Amaji If you enjoyed this episode, turn on notifications so you never miss more stories and resources from Grad School Buddy. Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    58 min
  4. Season 4 Episode 9: Creating a Safer Future for the World’s Children (with Esomchi Agalamanyi)

    10/25/2025

    Season 4 Episode 9: Creating a Safer Future for the World’s Children (with Esomchi Agalamanyi)

    In this episode, we discuss joining a graduate program with limited professional experience and how friendships and community make the journey easier. Our guest today is Esomchi Agalamanyi, who studied Economics at the University of Nigeria and earned a master’s in Education, Public Policy & Equity at the University of Glasgow.  His professional journey has taken him from the UN office in New York to the UNICEF office in Bangkok, and currently, he is at UNICEF Geneva, where he has built expertise in governance, accountability, and knowledge management. We discuss his early days as an economist, what drives him, what his work as a knowledge management specialist entails, why it matters in shaping policy, and the new challenges children face in a rapidly changing digital world. For anyone curious about policy, children’s rights, or knowledge management, this is worth your listen. Co-hosts: ebelechukwu monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji Guest: Esomchi Agalamanyi If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow and turn on notifications for more grad school stories and resources. Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    58 min
  5. Season 4 Episode 8: Lessons on Thriving Through Three Career Shifts (with Dana Alrayess)

    09/20/2025

    Season 4 Episode 8: Lessons on Thriving Through Three Career Shifts (with Dana Alrayess)

    Dana is a labor market economist whose work in the MENA region spans workforce development, gender reforms, and the future of work. Growing up, Dana's interests ranged from science and sports to languages, but never policy. She eventually studied Government and International Politics at George Mason University, with minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Economics. In this episode, Dana takes us through her grad school journey ir international policy development and reflects on what it really means to apply academic training in the policy world. She shares the lessons she's learned across three major career shifts, and how each one brought her closer to the work that matters most to her: rebuilding her home country, Syria, through effective and impactful policies. Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    55 min
  6. Season 4 Episode 7: An Unfiltered Episode on Everything (not) Grad School

    08/23/2025

    Season 4 Episode 7: An Unfiltered Episode on Everything (not) Grad School

    It’s not really about grad school this time, it’s a bit of everything. In this episode, Ebele and Ebuka reflect on the thought behind Grad School Buddy: to share stories from people of all walks of life who have taken different paths to and through grad school. From those who moved countries to study, to people who took out loans, self-funded or received scholarships, and folks who chose not to pursue grad school at all. The goal is to make sure everyone finds a story they can connect with. They share their own journeys too, Ebuka’s switch from Engineering to Finance, and Ebele’s passion for Economics, her grad school experience, and how her career has evolved since. This conversation offers helpful takeaways for anyone considering grad school, particularly in terms of how it can support long-term career goals. Finally, they talk about the reach and impact of Grad School Buddy, from our growing listener base to our pioneer set of undergraduate ambassadors,  and how we’re helping fuel both their personal and academic growth. This episode is a reminder that there’s no one way to do life or grad school, and we’re glad you’re here. Co-hosts: ebelechukwu monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji If you enjoyed this episode, turn on notifications so you don’t miss more grad school stories and resources. Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    1h 16m
  7. Season 4 Episode 6: The Two Nigerian Women Leading Community-Focused Change (with Chinemerem Ugwu and Seun Olagunju)

    07/19/2025

    Season 4 Episode 6: The Two Nigerian Women Leading Community-Focused Change (with Chinemerem Ugwu and Seun Olagunju)

    Seun and Chinemerem met at the University of East Anglia, where they are earning advanced degrees in Global Development and Finance & Economics, respectively. Their friendship and collaboration have since grown, but their journey into development and impact began long before grad school — through grassroots projects, nonprofit leadership, and bold work in public policy. Seun is the founder of The Development School Africa, an initiative focused on educating African youth about sustainable development. Chinemerem co-founded The GEAC Foundation, which empowers children from low-income families in Nigeria to access quality education. In this episode, they share their inspiring stories, from early career struggles and scholarship rejections to building careers in development, founding impactful initiatives, and navigating life abroad as international students. We explore the highs, the challenges, and their shared vision for empowering young people and shaping policies that truly serve communities. If you’re passionate about development, education, or leading change, this one’s for you. Tune in now and don’t forget to follow us for more grad school stories. Co-Hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye & Chukwuebuka Amaji Guests: Chinemerem Ugwu & Seun Olagunju Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    1h 22m

  8. 05/31/2025

    Season 4 Episode 5: The Blueprint to Academic Excellence (with Odinaka Akpamgbo)

    Meet Odinaka Akpamgbo, a Nigerian scholar who earned first class twice—first from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, then from the Nigerian Law School. He also secured admission to four top UK universities, landing three fully funded scholarships, including one to study the prestigious Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. In this episode, Odinaka shares how his early encounters with injustice fueled his passion for law, how he navigated Nigeria’s toughest law program, and what life is like as a graduate student at Oxford. He also opens up about the mindset and strategy behind his academic excellence. Don’t miss out, tune in now to experience grad school life through the eyes of a rising star in international law. Host: Ebelechukwu Monye Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji Guest: Odinaka Akpamgbo Enjoyed this episode? Turn on notifications so you never miss an update from Grad School Buddy. Send a message or comment to Grad School Buddy

    1h 12m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    ebelechukwu monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grad School Buddy
  • Show Website
    Grad School Buddy