Real Stories with... Motolani Adelaja!

      Let’s meet you briefly.

My name is Motolani Adelaja,
I’m a fashion designer and the creative director of ‘Sarah Lani’, a Nigerian based female apparel brand.

     What course did you study in school?

               I studied Computer Science at Covenant University Ota.

      Why did you decide to study it?

           I studied computer science at the university because the world was becoming more IT dependent and I felt it was a catchy course that could easily land  me a job in almost any corporate organization.

      Does your course in anyway align to your current career path?

          My course doesn’t align with my current career directly, but some elements of the IT knowledge I’ve gained so far can be incorporated into my fashion business.

     Making a decision to drift/ follow your passion, was it an easy one?

     It wasn’t easy at all. I had some opposition from family, who thought going into the fashion business wasn’t profitable and seemed 'unserious'. I even doubted myself and had many fears. I was tempted to give up fashion (which I was passionate about) for an IT related job (which I wasn’t so passionate about). Although, it wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I stuck to fashion.

     Discovering talent and natural abilities early in life is an advantage in making career choices. Do you agree?      

     

     I totally agree. This is because discovering your talents early helps keep you focused, you would be surprised to find out that most young people don’t even know what talents they have, they become so confused in choosing a course of study/ career path and in their confusion, they often settle for a course/career path they aren’t so passionate about. This doesn’t bring out the best in them as they continually struggle is such fields

      If you were given an opportunity to redo your first degree, what course will you choose?  

        I will definitely study Fashion Design if I had such opportunity.

     What is your advice to young people, especially those who are about to choose a course of study or a career path?

    

         I would tell them to choose a course that can help develop their natural abilities and talents. In other words, choose a course or career path you’re genuinely passionate about.

      Must everyone attend a university to be considered a professional or build a career path?

       Not necessarily, but some level of skills and knowledge must be acquired before one can be considered a professional in any field. I didn’t study fashion design at the university, but I made sure I attended a fashion institute to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge needed to thrive in my field.

      How can we see more of what you do? Share your links.

      My work can be viewed on my Instagram page, my handle is @sarah.lani

     

     Thank you so much for sharing your story!