Since graduating, Iyanu's career has taken her from international development to education and corporate sustainability – a path she describes as non-linear from the outside, but coherent from within.
She has recently hosted a Careers Conversation for Black students at Bath. If you would like to support our students, get in touch by emailing advancement@bath.ac.uk.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
The course I wanted to study was only offered at two universities – Bath and Sussex. The moment I arrived at Bath, I could picture myself there; walking across campus, studying in the library, catching up with friends in the student union. Attending a taster session and meeting a lecturer who had genuine passion for the subject confirmed my decision.
The combination of facilities, campus feel and proximity to the city centre felt just right. I grew up in the suburbs, so I appreciated the familiarity and comfort.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
Not exactly. I'd studied Economics at A-level and found myself drawn to development economics. I took a gap year because I wasn't certain of my direction.
In that time, I had the opportunity to travel to New York and visit the UN Headquarters. I had a conversation with an African Union Adviser who opened my eyes to the scale of what could be achieved in global development. That's when I knew that International Development with Economics was the degree for me.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?
The University of Bath gave me some of my fondest memories.
I always appreciated the safety of Bath, so late-night walks from a friend’s house or the library were a regular occurrence. My housemates loved a takeaway and would make it their mission to review every takeaway in the city. I enjoyed the winter festivities, from the Christmas markets to ice skating, both of which made celebrating my December birthday so special.
You were an active member of several societies. Can you share your highlights?
Societies were a huge part of my Bath experience. As Welfare and Inclusivity Officer for the African Caribbean Society, I had the chance to advocate for student wellbeing in a meaningful way.
One of my proudest moments was being part of the early conversations that established Target Bath (now Bath Ambitions) – a widening participation programme co-created with students and staff. Returning in my final year to speak on a panel and see how much it had grown was a full circle moment.
I attended the One Young World Bath summit in my first year and was so inspired that during my final year I was part of the summit team. Balancing it with a dissertation and coursework was demanding, but leading a team to invite thought leaders from mental wellbeing to education was so rewarding. This experience led me to apply for and complete an internship at their headquarters after graduation.
Describe your career journey since graduating.
My career has taken me across sectors in a way I never anticipated. After graduating, I joined One Young World as a Workshops Project Manager, managing the delivery of 60 workshops by corporate partners, social enterprises and NGOs at the annual global summit for young leaders.
From there, I completed a master's in education and international development at UCL's Institute of Education, deepening my understanding and passion for equitable education and social research. Alongside my studies, I've worked as a Strategy Consultant supporting edtech start-ups focused on the Global South, delivering impact evaluation workshops and supporting social enterprises.
After my master’s, I was a Facilitator with We Make Change, where I worked with global social impact start-ups, connecting them with corporate volunteers to deliver high impact and action-oriented sessions to solve challenges.
Currently, I am a Community Investment Coordinator at Heathrow where I support the delivery of engagement initiatives across nine local neighbouring villages and coordinate volunteering opportunities for colleagues, all tied to the sustainability strategy aimed at reaching one million beneficiaries by 2030.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
The variety and the people. What I treasure most is the network I've built across industries and the mentorship I've received along the way. Being able to genuinely connect and collaborate with people who share your passions, and to learn from those who've had incredible careers is something I don't take for granted.
Has anything surprised you along the way?
Honestly, how non-linear it all looks from the outside but how coherent it feels from within. I've worked across very different industries and worn many hats, but every role has sharpened the same core skills – stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking, impact measurement – and deepened my understanding of the sectors I care about. The path wasn't what I expected, but it's been more aligned with who I am and I’m excited to see what comes next.
How did your studies help develop you professionally and personally?
My placement year with the Community Impact team at UBS was transformational. I was part of a team managing the grant-making portfolio for the UK and EMEA, which gave me exposure to donor and charity compliance, safeguarding and sustainability reporting which I hadn't encountered before.
Beyond the technical skills, I gained an understanding of the conditions I need to thrive in a professional environment. Learning to manage my time, present with confidence, build genuine relationships and advocate for myself were lessons I carried into every subsequent role.
Returning to final year with that experience made everything more manageable. I definitely had to readjust to academic writing, but I was far better equipped to handle my dissertation, coursework, society commitments, job applications and still make the most of being a student.
What advice would you give Black students leaving Bath and entering the working world?
- Know that you belong. Don't let anyone dim your light.
- Find at least one mentor and sponsor. A mentor supports your growth and offers guidance; a sponsor champions you when you're not in the room. Ideally, find one inside your organisation and one outside.
- Log of your achievements. They matter, and you'll need to articulate them. Be equally intentional about your goals and share them with your line manager.
- Use LinkedIn intentionally. Don't be afraid to be audacious. Want to attend a conference? Be on a panel? Put it out there. Visibility creates opportunity.
- Don't pigeonhole yourself. Stay open, and trust that the dots will connect. Your career is not your whole life so invest in who you are beyond the office.
- Build your network. Focus on understanding people's journeys rather than just their job titles. Build genuine connections over transactional networks.
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