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STUDENT AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL UPDATE
Of Fortitude and Faith: My GSA Story

John Akudike

“Why not apply?” I asked myself for the umpteenth time.
“You’d enjoy the experience,” a part of me assured. “No, you
don’t even stand a chance! You’re not a student yet,” another part
accused. At the time, the call for applications to the GSA On To
the Future (OTF) program was open in May. While I was yet to
make the 6,800 miles travel from Lagos, Nigeria, to Texas, USA,
to commence my studies, I would be a student by the time the con-
ference was to begin in October. But this was not enough to con-
vince me. Hence, I stalled until the last week of May, when the
application would close. I then reached out to a mentor, the phe-
nomenal Ogochukwu Ozotta, an OTF alumnus, who encouraged
me to go for it, and so I did. I went all-in with my application,
sharing my story and journey through life—a story of fortitude John Akudike with GSA President Barbara Dutrow at the
and faith. Today, the rest is history. Portland International Airport.
Connecting young people to drive change and reverse ill narra- volunteered as a short-course assistant and GSA RISE (Respectful
tives in society has always been my goal. While guiding students Inclusive Scientific Events) liaison before the conference and as a
to win scholarships, create positive impacts globally, and live their registration assistant during the conference. At the conference, I
dreams, I knew that my little efforts would indirectly create a rip- also joined the Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting. I was
ple effect that would benefit other students. Furthermore, teaching impressed at the initiatives GSA was instituting to provide access
others new concepts has been a strong point for me, as there is no to members of diverse abilities. I am most honored to contribute to
more incredible feeling than seeing the twinkling in their eyes such positive changes in geosciences.
when they grasp such concepts. Thus, I usually seek opportunities Through several sessions with professionals and my peers at the
to improve my skills and knowledge and scale my impact. It was conference, I learned about more opportunities in geoscience and
on such a search that I saw the OTF application. Despite my fears, how I could thrive as an international student in the U.S. I realized
I applied some faith and received the good news of my selection to that I would have to be more intentional in putting in the work and
receive partial funding to attend the GSA Connects 2021 meeting. following excellence in my studies, scientific research, and social
I began connecting with professionals and students I knew would development. I am better today for the lessons I learned at GSA.
be instrumental to my development through the pre-conference I acknowledge that I am not only a product of fortitude and
OTF meetings. Most of those I met at the conference were receptive faith, but most importantly, a beneficiary of the support of a
to sharing their stories and offering advice to budding geoscientists “village” of personalities—my family, mentors, professors,
like me. Overall, the conference was one immersive experience I friends, and organizations such as GSA. I immensely thank all
would not forget in a hurry. The short course, poster sessions, and who have directly and indirectly supported my dreams by offering
technical sessions I joined were very insightful, and it felt good to the scholarships, sponsorships, mentorship, and guidance that has
share with others the knowledge we had garnered and our plans for led me to where I am now. My greatest ambition will always be to
the future of geoscience. pay this support forward in service to humanity, giving others
I also opted to volunteer for about 14.5 hours before and during hope where there seems to be none, and doing my best to make the
the conference despite not being obligated, as I just couldn’t wait world better through my work. The GSA community is one that I
to give back to the organization that had supported my first inter- am proud to be a part of, and I look forward to contributing more,
national conference attendance, amongst other exciting perks. I proving that with fortitude and faith, everything is possible.

18 GSA TODAY | March-April 2022