Hajarat Okenla

Hajarat graduated in 2023 with a degree in Business Analytics and now works as an External Auditor at MHA (Baker Tilly), combining her passion for audit and management consulting. 

Her role at Kent’s Innovation Centre led to her current job, highlighting the value of networking. Passionate about the agriculture industry’s role in carbon markets, she’s excited to pursue this goal in the future.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

I went back to my first love (external audit) to gain some relevant work experience. Now, my career journey is a balance mix of external audit and management consulting. My ultimate goal in the long-term is to become one of the top 3 leading consultants in Africa (a.k.a, The Business Doctor).

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I typically work through tasks in the audit phase (planning, fieldwork, or completion). During the day, I catch up with my line manger on progress of the audit engagement, and also liaise with junior team members to determine their tasks for the day. In the course of my daily work, I have frequent 10-15 minutes’ walkthroughs with junior members to solve hiccups encountered in their tasks.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

I successfully transitioned back to external audit after spending 26 months in an industry role.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

I learnt to build relationships and sell myself. Actually, my current role was gotten through my part-time job role at the Innovation Centre, where MHA had a small Canterbury Office. I had a good rapport with one of the directors who referred me for my current role.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

It's all about resilience, taking it a day at a time but building strong relationships. This will open doors you never expected. So, do not cease to network and form genuine relationships with a wide spectrum of people.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

Yes, I participated in the i-Teams programme, where students from various disciplines collaborated to tackle real-world business challenges. Over eight weeks, we developed solutions for British Aerospace, The Docking Station, and Vesper247.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

The smiles from the staff and students. I loved viewing the green field opposite the main library.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

No regrets!

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

I am in touch with some of my classmates. Some of them are my LinkedIn connections, including my project supervisor.

What are your future ambitions?

My future ambition is to see the agriculture industry actively participating in carbon markets trading, which is one of my core passions. I’m excited to see where this journey leads as I work toward this goal.