Eniola's professional experiences outside academia, in project management in Dublin and banking in Nigeria, have broadened her perspective and equipped her with transferable skills such as strategic thinking, leadership, and stakeholder engagement. These experiences allow her to approach research questions with both analytical rigour and practical insight.
Beyond academic and professional pursuits, Eniola is deeply committed to mentorship and youth development, demonstrated through roles such as Vice President of David’s Generation Club and Special Project Coordinator for the Vessel of Honour Foundation. These roles reflect her dedication to supporting others’ growth, a value that continues to influence her approach to research and teaching.
Through her PhD, she aims to produce research that contributes to academic understanding while also offering practical insights for policymakers. Ultimately, her goal is to bridge the gap between research, policy, and impact, ensuring that economic insights translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
Eniola's research explores the long-term economic returns of different fields of study in the UK, with a particular focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and non-STEM disciplines. She is interested in understanding how the subject a person studies at university influences their career outcomes over time, not just in terms of earnings, but also employment stability and progression.
This work is especially relevant given the UK’s strong policy emphasis on STEM education and the significant public investment in these areas. While STEM degrees are often associated with higher returns, there is still limited evidence on how these advantages hold up over the course of a full career, how they compare with certain high-return non-STEM fields, and how factors like socio-economic background, gender, and the type of institution attended shape these outcomes.
To investigate these questions, she will be using large-scale UK datasets, including administrative data that tracks individuals from school through to their working lives, alongside survey data that provides insights into family background and personal circumstances. By combining these sources, she aims to provide a more complete picture of how educational choices influence long-term opportunities.
The main objective of her research is to inform students, educators, and policymakers about the real, long-term value of different educational pathways. With this, she hopes to contribute to policies that not only promote economic growth but also ensure that opportunities in higher education translate into meaningful and equitable outcomes for all graduates.
Eniola currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Loughborough University, supporting undergraduate students in Econometrics and Mathematics. Her role involves delivering tutorials, guiding students through problem-solving exercises, and helping them develop the analytical and quantitative skills essential for their studies. She particularly enjoys breaking down complex concepts into clear, accessible explanations and fostering an environment where students feel confident to engage and ask questions.
Also, she has worked as an A-Level Economics tutor, designing tailored lesson plans and mentoring students preparing for their exams. Many of her students have achieved significant improvements in both understanding and performance.
These experiences have strengthened her communication, adaptability, and organisational skills while deepening her passion for teaching and mentorship. She values the opportunity to contribute to students’ growth and aim to create positive, inclusive learning experiences that inspire curiosity and build confidence.
Outside of my academic work, Eniola is actively involved in mentorship and youth development. She regularly volunteers on weekends, teaching children and young people core values that foster confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose. She particularly enjoys mentoring them to recognise their potential and supporting them in taking practical steps, however small, towards achieving their aspirations.
Eniola has a strong interest in leadership and professional growth, and she actively engages in discussions led by accomplished women across various fields, including business, policy, and academia. Learning from the experiences of CEOs, policymakers, and pioneers provides valuable insights into effective leadership, strategic thinking, and creating meaningful impact.
Beyond these commitments, she has a passion for cooking and exploring international cuisines. In particular, discovering new flavours and sharing meals with friends and family and seeing food as an opportunity to connect with people and cultures. These activities reflect her commitment to continuous learning, purposeful engagement, and contributing positively to others’ growth, values that complement and enhance her academic and professional pursuits.