13/09/2022
Want to know a story about me? I signed up for an internal company public speaking event in 2018 and it led to me landing my current role.
Story time 📖
If you didn’t already know, I started my banking career at 18 and for 4 years, I worked during the day and finished assignments in the evening. There wasn’t much time to focus on my development outside of these two things. So when I finished my degree in 2017, I’d decided I was going to say yes to as many opportunities that would help me establish my career in banking.
In 2018, there was a call out for people in the company to submit a topic of interest to present at an internal event inspired by TED Talks. My topic was based on Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ and how making decisions about your career can come with a lot of unwanted noise from the outside.
Saying yes to the talk, was the first door I’d opened for myself because this was when I met my buddy. During our time together, he introduced me to a company Toastmasters club and when asked if I wanted to join, I said, “Sure!”. By 2019, I was Co-President of our club.
Fast forward to mid-2020, I was ready to make a move. I mentioned this to a fellow Toastmaster club member who recommended an opportunity in a different area of the company. He told me, “I think I know someone. Would you like to meet them?” Here opens door number two.
I met with the hiring manager, who became my actual manager and I’m still in that team today.
What’s the take home? Be open to opportunity. It can open doors for you.