Everything was going smoothly, except for one gentleman who was not happy to see me performing a role as a senior engineer when I was hired as an intermediate engineer. I noticed he constantly had people checking on me and monitoring my work as if I were a novice, which began to bother me significantly. It felt like someone was always breathing down my neck. I started to feel uncomfortable, and after discussing it with Ernest, I decided to leave the company. Besides, given the stressful nature of this job, we believed that finding something less stressful would benefit the family, especially the kids. I moved to a mining company where I had previously done substantial work while I was with the consulting firm. This was my first time working directly in the mining industry, and overall, the experience was positive. However, the mining sector can be quite volatile, with significant ups and downs. In 2008, the global recession hit, causing metal prices to plummet, and as a result, approximately 700 of us were laid off. Although losing my job was disappointing, the experience and connections I had gained opened up new opportunities. As the Bible states, “I know your deeds; see, I have placed before you a door that no one can shut” (Rev. 3:8a). It wasn’t long before I received a new offer letter, and it was a great one. Although Ernest still had his job, he was bored with performing engineering designs, so he also applied to the same company and was offered a job — it would take us back to Alberta, where my sister-in-law lived. Returning to Alberta was beneficial, especially as the kids began playing competitive soccer. At Syncrude, I found a supportive community, with many Ghanaian engineers and other professionals. We helped each other out, like picking up each other’s kids and babysitting when needed. The support system was fantastic. However, the extreme cold in Fort McMurray, with temperatures reaching -50°C, made us think about moving to a warmer climate after five years. During our time in Sudbury, before I switched jobs, I experienced another loss — this time, it was my maternal grandmother. She had imparted so much wisdom to me, and I always hoped that her sharp memory had been passed down to me. As an entrepreneur, she shared a great deal about her business during breaks from school at Holy Child School. She also taught me essential skills, such as cooking and how to be a good wife and mother. I loved her deeply and will always cherish the memories we shared. I know she is in heaven, smiling down on me. The Turning Point Leaving my boss’s office and returning to mine, I often felt slightly underappreciated. To shift my focus, I began considering pursuing an executive MBA. My GMAT scores were set to expire in a year, and it seemed a waste not to use them for an MBA programme. Moreover, observing senior management in action made me feel there were promising opportunities in that realm. Ernest strongly supported this idea, and I embarked on the MBA journey. Shell had a valuable programme where attending MBA classes on Fridays was counted as training and paid as if you were working. This arrangement meant that Shell effectively funded a significant portion of the programme, which was fantastic. I always advise my mentees to build their technical expertise as engineers before pursuing an MBA in Management, not the other way around. During the MBA programme, I met many professionals, including managers and vice presidents, who became part of mynetwork.Out of a class of thirty-nine, twelvewerewomen: two Black, two Indian, and the rest Caucasian. The experience was enriching, with managers sharing their personal challenges, solutions, and salary structures, which was incredibly insightful. By the end of the programme, I was eager to apply what I had learned. With a focus on environmental sustainability and strategic management, I sought opportunities in these areas. I took advantage of the programme’s free career coaching, working 26 The Birthday Journal
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