I graduated in Law and I was fortunate to have obtained two placements at the same magic circle firm, after which convinced me that corporate law was not for me. I felt out of place in all aspects, and I started to question whether my motivations for pursuing law would enable me to excel in such environment. I decided that I needed a new challenge and backed myself to find another industry. I discovered investment management through a friend who joined the Investment20/20 scheme and was excelling at his role within LGIM. Two other friends then obtained placements via the scheme and both were enjoying the experience. I was not convinced that finance was for me at that point (as I prejudged it to be for STEM students only) and chose to look at industries similar to the legal sector, but my job search was a frustrating experience.

I worked at Coral betting shop to sustain myself whilst applying for roles, but I kept failing at the final stage of interview stages. My confidence was taking a massive beating as a year and a half has passed. I then attended a Columbia Threadneedle open day, facilitated by Investment20/20. At the open day, I discovered the distribution avenue within Investment management and after speaking to the global head of sales– who put me forward for the role after speaking to me, I was convinced that this was the role for me. I applied and made the final stage – but again, I failed to make the final cut. I came across the Sales trainee role at GAM soon after and it felt that it was perfect. Using the lessons of the past interviews – I gave the process my all and my life changed when I was successful in my application. The scheme allowed me to come into the role at the perfect level – a junior, but given the necessary exposure to grow exponentially. I have been able to solidify my career in Sales and Distribution two years after the successful interview in March 2018.