Class of 2018: Daniella Otuagomah

All this week we are celebrating the achievements of some of our students who are graduating in the class of 2018.

Daniella Otuagomah (BSc Accounting and Finance (including Year Abroad)) describes how her placement year working on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten changed her plans for the future.

“To this day, my placement year abroad still feels like a dream. I loved every minute of it, but what I enjoyed most was experiencing a new way of life – the culture, the people, the food, everything! I got the placement with the help of my department at Essex and by the special grace of God.”

Daniella worked as an economist for the Sint Maarten government. The project she’s most proud of is recruiting, training and coordinating staff to interview 1,200 households across the island for the 2017 Labour Force Survey.

Daniella said: “I successfully managed a group of people and felt motivated because my work would directly affect the decision-making process of the government and, in turn, thousands of lives.

“My placement year abroad has completely changed my career goals. It showed me what professional areas I want to delve into and exposed me to new business ideas that I wish to implement.”

Daniella threw herself into student life – she was a Peer Engagement Ambassador for Essex Business School, Treasurer of the Nigerian Society, a Fundraising Representative for Enactus, and a Community Assistant for Residence Life, a role which gave her the opportunity to train as a certified Adult Mental Health First Aider.