Kaitochukwu Chukwudi - University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
In Her Opportunity Story, Kaitochukwu Chukwudi shares her insights and experiences as a recipient of the fully-funded Mastercard Foundation Scholarship to the University of Cambridge. Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship to the University of Cambridge are currently open until December 5th, 2024. Apply here.
Kaitochukwu Chukwudi
Kaitochukwu Chukwudi, Kaito for short, is a Master’s student at the University of Cambridge, currently studying for an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development. She is a first class graduate of Chemical Engineering at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria, where she finished as the best-graduating student in her class and the first female to have attained this feat in over 15 years of the department’s existence.
Kaito is passionate about contributing positively to the Energy space in Africa and beyond. In light of this, she currently interns with Switch Energy Alliance, USA, where she, alongside a team, is building the first-ever Switch Alumni Network, which aims to bring together a body of people passionate about creating value in the Energy space.
Overall, Kaito loves God, books, and experiencing different cultures.
Before The Scholarship
What inspired you to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of Cambridge and what steps did you take to prepare yourself for the application?
Truthfully, it was a decision made on a whim. Although I always knew right from my time at the university that I wanted to pursue further studies outside of Nigeria, I wasn’t entirely certain about the scholarship or school. Initially, I had it in mind to do a PhD program at a school in the US, but towards my final year, after clinching first out of 180 teams globally in the Switch Energy Case Competition, my priorities changed. I became increasingly interested in the Energy sector, essentially looking to balance finance, technology, infrastructure, and sustainability with the growing energy needs of Africa.
With this awareness, I kept my eyes open for opportunities aligned with my interests. I attended a lot of graduate school webinars, interacted with several graduate students, and won the 2024 ISI Scholarship to help cover my GRE and TOEFL fees for my applications. All of this was so that I could start applying to schools by the end of 2024 and then leave for further studies by 2025.
However, God had other plans. I randomly saw the Mastercard Foundation Cambridge Scholarship Application, and while checking its eligibility requirements, I decided to be a little delusional and apply. One of the major reasons I applied was that my current program aligned perfectly with my interests and was going to give me the necessary exposure. Also, I met the eligibility requirements, so why not?
In preparing myself for the application, I joined many Cambridge postgraduate sessions and sessions organized by my department. This gave me an idea of what was expected. I also ensured to ask past scholars plenty of questions.
Did you have any concerns or fears about applying? If yes, what influenced your decision to continue with your application?
I think my major concern was not getting anyone to review my essays, so I wasn’t so sure if I was actually telling my story the right way. However, I decided to continue for two major reasons. First, to give myself a chance to be a little delusional and live without regret. Two, because no one will know if I failed, so why not?
Can you share any specific steps you took in preparing a competitive application for Cambridge, considering the intense competition for these applications?
I had attended a couple of graduate school webinars, so, that gave me an insight as to how to approach graduate school applications in general. Aside from this, I read a lot about my program of choice and asked plenty of questions to those who had done the course or were rounding up. This allowed me to see the course through their perspectives, which in turn, shaped my application approach.
What aspects of the application process did you find the most challenging, and how did you overcome this?
Developing my essay was challenging and this was because I felt like I needed to stand out if I wanted a real shot at Cambridge. My essays had to speak to them in a certain way and possibly give them a lens into my heart and thinking. Also, I think this stemmed from the fact that I did not have so much actual professional work experience compared to the usual Cambridge postgraduate student, and so I needed to still show value regardless of how little I had done.
In overcoming this, I majorly capitalized on what I had done, its impact, and how that fits into my program of choice. I showed numbers and ensured to add how much value I bring to the table as well. Unfortunately, no one could review my essays, but I ensured to speak with previous scholars on what is expected, and that formed a mind map for me.
Were there any particular skills or knowledge areas you focused on developing before starting your application to make yourself a stronger candidate?
I focused more on expanding my knowledge of what my course offers and how I could properly tie in my experiences and extra-curriculars to what the program expects. However, this is course dependent. That is why it is essential to familiarize yourself with the website of your program of choice.
Many young Nigerians grapple with imposter syndrome, feeling they don’t belong in elite institutions. How were your experiences as a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University helpful during the application process?
I had led so many associations back in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and also volunteered with numerous organizations, which had always put me at the frontline of acquiring knowledge and giving value. I also clinched so many awards both nationally and internationally and I think this sort of gave me the confidence that I am filled with possibilities.
I was not afraid of not being chosen by Cambridge, because while in school, I had built a degree of self-worth and value, that my consciousness had moved from, ‘I didn’t get it because I don’t belong’ to ‘I didn’t get it and so it is their loss’.
To anyone feeling any form of imposter syndrome, my question to you is – “What is the worst that can happen?”
What areas of the application process should prospective applicants give utmost attention to?
For this, I will say your essays, and this is because my Course Director mentioned that he found my essay particularly fascinating. I guess the essays kind of give them a window to who you are as a person, your expectations, and possibly how you can fit into the program’s cohort. The Cambridge body is also big on diversity in terms of experiences, so don’t be afraid to be a little crazy. Essentially, just show them your authentic self.
As a member of Sisterly HQ who has been involved in the community on social media and as a participant of The MastHER Class in 2024, how did the community help in your choice of scholarship, and the application process?
It is always a routine for me to keep updated with opportunities using the Sisterly HQ newsletter, as well as its posts on LinkedIn, and definitely, the Mastercard Scholarship was one of the publicized opportunities on both platforms. I had been seeing the opportunity everywhere, but encountering it again on both the newsletter and LinkedIn platform, solidified my deliberateness to applying for it. Especially after seeing amazing young ladies clinch global opportunities, so, it kind of instilled a level of possibility for me.
The SisterlyHQ MastHER Class in 2024 was the icing on the cake, especially that part of Goal Setting. Cambridge was one of those goals and yeah, I crushed it. It was an avenue for me to assess myself in terms of where I wanted to be at the end of the year, and what tradeoffs and realignments needed to happen for that. All of these unconsciously set the ball rolling for this milestone, others that I had achieved earlier in the year, and what is still to come.
I appreciate your vision, Sisterly HQ.
Life As A Scholar
Transitioning to an internationally renowned institution like Cambridge can be daunting. How did you prepare yourself academically, culturally, and socially for your studies at Cambridge?
I asked a lot of questions. I feel like my senior friends must have been tired of me. I had meetings with them just to have an idea of what to expect and how to prepare, and they were so helpful. Academically, I familiarized myself with the course modules and pre-readings which are usually available on the program website. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on people’s lives at Cambridge, although I found it difficult to get any content that was more African-aligned.
Due to this, I have committed to sharing my journey on my various social media platforms. I also connected with a lot of scholars on Instagram and LinkedIn to kind of build expectations, and thankfully, the Mastercard Foundation for the University of Cambridge provided us with webinars and a two-week orientation program that exposed us to life in Cambridge before school started. I will say I had really good support.
What are you most excited about as you begin your studies as a MasterCard Foundation Scholar at Cambridge?
It is so hard to pick one thing because I feel like Cambridge touches every aspect of your life in an incredible way. However, I am genuinely excited to be challenged in my thoughts, perspectives, and processes. Also, I am looking forward to the amazing friends I will be blessed with, and the tons of new experiences I will have during my stay here.
After The Scholarship
After the completion of your studies, how do you hope to apply this experience to your post-Cambridge path? How do you envision this influencing your future endeavors?
In my one month of being here, I feel like I have learned so much, and this is not just tied to the insane academic structure here but also, to my way of thinking and perspectives. I am learning to reinvent myself here and this makes me realize that going forward, or in my future endeavors, it is okay to evolve, to realign, and to embrace multiple versions of me.
Career-wise, I am certain that after the completion of my course, I will be in a much better position to actively make a tangible impact in the Energy and Sustainability space, especially in Africa and beyond. This is because my program, Engineering for Sustainable Development, or the wider Cambridge structure, grounds you in such a way that you begin to ask the right questions, you think in systems and not just surface level, and you can integrate your experiences with what is attainable to bring about a wholesome value point for the challenges to be tackled.
Overall, this Kaito will be more refined in thoughts, experiences, and networks, which will enable her to feed value into Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.
What advice would you give to future applicants about preparing a strong application for the scholarship and the application to Cambridge, particularly regarding the selection criteria and essential documents?
First, familiarize yourself with the Cambridge website and the website for your program of choice. It is very essential to understand and align the objectives of your intended program with your essays. This shows some level of consistency and credibility. Also, in your essays, show numbers. Show impact. Be specific as to what career options you have in mind and how your program of choice ties to it. Be creative in your approach and all your essays should speak one language.
For your Mastercard essay, ensure to tie it back to what value you hope to bring Africa by studying your intended program at Cambridge. Essentially, how can you benefit as a person and how can the wider African ecosystem benefit from having you study at Cambridge? Show personal and professional leadership.
Let your recommendation stand out. Ensure to select recommenders that can totally toot your horn, in such a way that it is consistent with what you have written in your essays and even more.
Last, ask when in doubt.
Resources Utilized
What resources or materials, such as books, online courses, or mentors, played a significant role in shaping your understanding of finance and personal growth both before and after the internship?
My Instagram profile: @kanyito_
Her Opportunity Story spotlights Nigerian women who have landed transformative opportunities and provides detailed insights for other Nigerian women who would be applying for those opportunities.
Previous Edition of Her Opportunity Story: Read Favour Obijole’s journey to becoming a 2024 Investment banking Summer Analyst at Bank of America here.