For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by how humans think and behave. However, I pursued other fields and interests throughout my undergraduate and early working years.
But deep down, I knew that psychology was a true calling.
Fast forward a few years: I had finished my first master’s degree, spent a year working at Google, and then continued to build my own advertising agency. In just four months, I was earning more than I had with my monthly salary at Google. Coming from a non-entrepreneurial family, I knew that if I could make it this far, I could probably keep running my own company long-term.
While my advertising agency has always been successful, I wanted to deepen my understanding of human behavior, particularly in the field of leadership and personal development. I also knew I wanted to add an academic foundation to the work and interests I had already been pursuing, making my insights and recommendations more credible. That’s when I began investigating options for a master’s degree in psychology.
Why I Chose Harvard Extension School
I’d always wanted to study at Harvard, but living in Cambridge wasn’t an option for me as I’m not cut out for the cold weather. Harvard Extension School offered me the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree remotely and to study wherever I wanted while still running my company, Ajala Digital. That was important because I knew I couldn’t complete a full-time degree without working. Plus, I could also choose whichever elective courses I wanted to complement the required courses for the degree track.
It also offered me the opportunity to become more serious with a second brand I had been building silently in the background: Hustle Less & Live More. With that, I wanted to show people there are options outside of corporate careers and in order to be successful, one doesn’t need to work endless hours or sacrifice sleep or health.
I knew that building an academic foundation in psychology would add credibility to my work. It just felt like the right moment in time to take that journey.
Combining My Studies with Passion for Psychology
I was drawn to psychology from a young age.
Growing up, I experienced childhood trauma, including school bullying, isolation, and loneliness. Even in my teenage years, I’d unknowingly started doing cognitive behavioral therapy on myself, using positive affirmations and self-talk to help me get through my challenges.
In my late teenage years and early days of my bachelor’s degree, I traveled alone to places like China, Peru, and Nigeria. I noticed that traveling was therapeutic for me, so I put myself into other environments to test behavioral changes and thought patterns without knowing there was a scientific framework for it.
At the same time, I was part of a student organization that offered opportunities to work all over the world training people in personal and leadership development. It was fulfilling to show people opportunities they didn’t know existed and see them go through that development process.
However, I noticed that many of the training practices I was using appeared irrational to others, even though there was a strong scientific basis. That was another push toward pursuing a formal education — I wanted to be able to back my work with research and data.
Earning a Psychology Master’s Degree at Harvard
Like any academic journey, mine had its ups and downs. But I powered through and found the program deeply rewarding. I especially enjoyed the interactive teaching style and the wide range of academic resources available. The faculty was inspiring, and courses on brain health and performance were particularly impactful.
One standout experience was taking Brain and Behavior in the Extremes, where I learned from guest lecturers from Antarctica and about experiences in high-risk environments.
I knew that building an academic foundation in psychology would add credibility to my work. It just felt like the right moment in time to take that journey.
How I’m Applying My Harvard Extension School Degree
My experience at Harvard Extension School changed the way I communicate and teach, and it opened new opportunities for my business. After I earned my master’s degree in psychology, Salesforce hired Hustle Less & Live More to teach managers and executives how to reduce stress, release trauma, avoid burnout, and live a happier and healthier life using scientifically proven methods.
My degree grew my confidence in communicating in academic language and using studies to support my work. It has allowed me to position myself as a thought leader in stress management and trauma relief.
Leveraging my degree has been a conscious strategy in my career from early on. I didn’t come from a wealthy background, so I had to create my network on my own. I knew that if I had certain credentials, such as Forbes 30 Under 30, working at Google, and the HES degree, I would benefit.
I also bring what I learned throughout my degree into my own methods in the classes I teach at universities, such as adapting the grading style that Dr. Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa used during The Neuroscience of Learning course.
Advice for Future Harvard Extension School Students
If you’re considering Harvard Extension School, my top advice is:
- Reach out to your instructors. The conversations I had with my instructors were some of the most rewarding experiences I had during my time at Harvard.
- Fully engage in the interactive teaching style of the courses and the huge amount of provided materials. I wish I had even more time to dive into them.
- Network with your peers. My company gained clients due to my new HES connections!
- Make the most out of the Harvard resources.
At the end of the day, earning my degree wasn’t just about gaining knowledge. It was also about legitimizing my passion, expanding my career opportunities, and proving to myself that I could do it. I’m proud of how I’ve continued to leverage my degree. So if you’re thinking about making the leap, now is the time to do it. Take the first step.
