After being featured on Powerful Media’s Future Leaders 2022/3 list, which recognises 150 of Britain’s most outstanding Black university students, recent graduate Giulio Aguigwo (BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 2022) reflects on his Warwick experience.

Sum up your Warwick experience.
It was a life-changing experience that inspired me to become the best version of myself.

Describe yourself in three words.
Creative, curious and chill.

What is your favourite Warwick memory?
Being part of a society. It’s the best way to find people with similar interests. I was part of the Afro Caribbean Society – it became one of my main social circles and helped me find other creatives.

What did you want to do pre-Warwick?
I didn’t know. I chose A-levels you’d pick to follow medicine, and my parents wanted me to be a doctor. I’d always been interested in philosophy and a friend said Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Warwick was a respectable course and a good starting point.

What did you want to do during Warwick?
I loved the philosophy aspect of my degree more than the politics and economics elements. What I did find at Warwick was a passion project in content creation.

How did you find your passion?
I started a production company during my second year with some Warwick friends. We make comedy skits and podcasts that we broadcast on social media channels, and I love it.

How did it feel to be identified as a Future Leader?
It feels good. The work I was doing didn’t seem that significant, but to be recognised made me feel like I’m capable of doing so much more with my life.

How has it impacted you?
I haven’t always been confident. I realised to work in the creative industry you have to come out of your shell to network and collaborate. The recognition reminded me to keep pushing myself because I can do it.

What inspires you?
Being creative, in my side projects and my career. I’d like to work in social media marketing and keep growing my production company.

What motivated you as a student?
Making money and learning more about finance. I thought I might go into investment banking!

What motivates you now?
I realised money isn’t more important than your own happiness, and you need to follow your passion.

What advice would you give to your student self?
Make the most of all the services available. Careers, wellbeing, funding opportunities – there’s a lot to take advantage of.

And what advice would you give to current students?
You don’t need to have it all figured out by the time your graduation day rolls around. I worked as a recruitment consultant for a few months before I realised it wasn’t the path for me. Your first job might not be the thing you want to do forever and that’s okay, you’ll find it.

What makes Warwick students special?
Warwick has a hard-working, inspiring environment that breeds confident people. It’s in the campus air!