My name is Tomi Adeniran and I am working on developing solutions for chronic women’s health issues at a HealthTech start-up. Having joined Outsmart Insight in April 2023, my journey has been filled with diverse projects and invaluable learning opportunities.
As my DPhil was coming to an end, I became curious about consulting and wanted to explore it more deeply. I signed up as an Associate because it provided an opportunity to gain insight into the consulting world and develop core skills.
I have a strong background in medical sciences, particularly in reproductive health and genetics, but none of the projects I have been involved in directly aligned with my expertise. However, this deviation proved to be a useful exercise, challenging me to think outside the box and broaden my horizons beyond my academic niche.
To date, I have been involved in quite a few projects, with the most interesting being Technology Watch for a leading R&D company. This project stood out because of the wide-ranging research areas we had to explore. Researching unfamiliar topics led me to dive into areas I had never imagined. It was fascinating to uncover noteworthy technologies—also known as ‘Signals’—that could potentially shape the future. Contributing my expertise to the work of a major R&D company was rewarding, knowing that our findings could influence their portfolio.
Despite initially feeling unfamiliar with the projects, I quickly realised the value of my transferable skills from research. My primary contributions involved identifying Signals and writing concise summaries on the science behind various technologies. Researching such varied topics had a personal impact as well, broadening my perspective and freeing me from the tunnel vision often associated with academic research.
My experience with Outsmart Insight has been really positive so far. I’ve enjoyed the diverse research areas, and the project managers have been helpful, providing constructive feedback that has improved both my output and my approach to each task.
Reflecting on my journey so far, I would offer a few pieces of advice to fellow Associates who have recently joined. First, embrace the diversity of topics, as each project presents a unique learning opportunity. Second, even if your background doesn’t always align with a project, trust in the transferability of your skills and approach each task with curiosity and enthusiasm. Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek clarity on any aspect that seems unclear, including project and fee allocation—transparency can greatly enhance the overall experience.