By Fallon Bourgeois

As a young professional and business owner, Sidney Idemudia (BEng’14) knows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

At 26, he is the executive director of Imhotep Legacy Academy (ILA), an innovative university-community partnership that aims to increase the number of African Nova Scotian students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

When the opportunity presented itself, Idemudia saw it as the right fit for him personally and professionally.

“My parents always instilled in me the power of education. I grew up with a passion for science and technology. It’s very rewarding to work with younger students to help them discover their own interests in these fields.”

An education that keeps on giving

Dal’s partnership with ILA allows Idemudia to work closely with his alma mater – fitting as it’s where he fulfilled his goal of becoming an engineer.

“I valued my time at Dal and my education in engineering. I want to be able to provide the same for those who take part in the ILA programs.”

With these outreach programs active in more than half of Nova Scotia’s school boards, students in grades 6-12 take part in real-world learning projects, skill-building and leadership development activities as well as tutoring support.

Early achiever

In addition to his role with Imhotep, Idemudia also runs his own online apparel company. He created SeeMeNow Apparel to launch his entrepreneurial career and fulfill his lifelong dream of starting and owning his own business.

“Starting a business is the easy part, maintaining its success is the challenge. As I’ve watched it grow, I feel confident that the goals I’ve set out for myself are achievable with hard work.”

Setting a solid foundation

Idemudia hopes to use this experience to someday start his own engineering company. While he says some may not see the connection between a clothing company and an engineering firm, the success of both depend on tenacity, dedication and strong leadership skills. And he’s got what it takes to make that possible.

“I believe that every experience is a chance to learn and grow. My plan is to continue to build upon the skills and knowledge I’ve gained through my education, my business and my role with Imhotep to reach my lifelong dream. These experiences so early in my career are invaluable.”