Beyond the Books: MaryEmpowers and SWIS Africa Champion Graduate Career Transitions

On August 29, 2025, MaryEmpowers, founded by Mary Obiechina, in collaboration with Shaping African Women in STEM (SWIS Africa), proudly launched the groundbreaking book Beyond the Books. Written by Mary herself, the book is a practical and inspirational guide designed to help graduate students successfully navigate one of the most critical phases of their lives: transitioning from academia into the workplace or industry.

A Shared Commitment to Empowerment

MaryEmpowers was founded with a bold vision to enhance career and leadership potentials through effective training and resources. With Beyond the Books, Mary brings that vision to life by combining her own lived experiences with professional and academic insights. The result is a timely resource that equips graduates with the tools they need to move confidently from research labs and lecture halls into thriving careers.

The collaboration with SWIS Africa, an organization equally committed to empowering young Africans in STEM, made this launch even more impactful. Samuel Ogunsola, Co-Founder of SWIS Africa and a Vanier Scholar, contributed his personal experiences to the book, offering readers a first-hand perspective on building careers beyond traditional academic paths.

An Inspiring Launch Event

The launch was not just a celebration of the book but also a practical career empowerment experience. The program featured a career workshop delivered by Dr. Samantha Pauls, who shared actionable strategies for bridging the gap between academia and industry.

A career panel discussion followed, with distinguished professionals including Dr. Anju Bajaj, Dr. Reuben Saba, and Dr. Ifeoma Okwor, among others. With honesty and depth, they shared their own career journeys, the challenges they overcame, and the skills that helped them succeed outside academia.

Guiding the event with warmth and energy was Samuel, who served as the Master of Ceremony, keeping the program engaging and inspiring.

Building Bridges for Graduate Success

For SWIS Africa, this partnership reflects our ongoing mission to equip young Africans, especially women in STEM, with the knowledge, mentorship, and networks to excel in diverse career paths. For MaryEmpowers, this book and its launch mark the beginning of a movement to support graduates in turning uncertainty into clarity, and aspirations into tangible opportunities.

Looking Ahead

As Mary emphasized during the launch: “Graduate education equips us with knowledge, but success in the workplace requires us to go beyond the books, developing skills, networks, and a mindset ready for impact.”

The launch of Beyond the Books is a call to action to reimagine graduate education as not just an academic pursuit but a bridge to purpose-driven careers. SWIS Africa is honored to have been part of this milestone collaboration and looks forward to future initiatives with MaryEmpowers to shape leaders for tomorrow.