Overcoming the Odds and Joining the Fight Towards Financial Equality
As a first-year banking and finance student, I quickly realised that gaining early experience was crucial for standing out in such a competitive field. Eager to get a head start, I began applying for summer internships as soon as my first year ended. Despite my enthusiasm and persistent efforts, I faced multiple rejections. It was a difficult period of uncertainty, but it gave me time to reflect on what it really takes to succeed in finance.
How One Bold Move Inspired My Journey
During this period of reflection, I recalled an article my mother had shared about a fellow student who, after struggling to secure a job, took an unconventional approach by promoting himself outside the offices of potential employers with a board displaying his CV and contact details. His bold step led to a job offer, and his story inspired me to think creatively about my own job search.
One morning, equipped with a board and a QR code linking to my CV, I positioned myself outside Canary Wharf station at 7 am during the peak of the morning rush. It was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life but also exhilarating. At first, no one approached, but I kept a positive attitude and continued to smile. Slowly, people began to engage with me, scanning my QR code and offering words of encouragement.
Among those who noticed me was a well-connected woman who shared my story within a community of women in finance and tech. This led to a pivotal moment when Angie Madara, the CEO of AthenaFundX, contacted me. She was impressed by my initiative and go-getter attitude and offered me a summer internship after my first interview. This experience validated my efforts and made me realise the importance of taking bold steps toward achieving one’s goals.
Empowering Women Through Finance
During my internship at AthenaFundX, an incredible opportunity arose to work on a project closely aligned with the company’s mission: developing an alternative credit scoring model aimed at female entrepreneurs in Kenya who face barriers in accessing financial services. This project is crucial because traditional financial systems often overlook the unique challenges women face in these markets, especially those running small and medium-sized enterprises. AthenaFundX is working to bridge this gap by creating Athena Capital, which ensures women entrepreneurs in emerging markets can receive the opportunities and funding they need.
As a Muslim hijabi woman of colour who has personally faced various biases, this project is close to my heart. The struggle against unconscious bias, systemic exclusion, and outright discrimination is all too familiar and it is rewarding to contribute to a project that seeks to dismantle some of these barriers.
More Than an Internship
My time at AthenaFundX has been transformative, offering more than just professional development. The team’s commitment to creating solutions that bridge the gap of inequality reinforces the belief that finance can–and should–serve as a force for positive change. Setbacks are inevitable, but it’s how we respond that truly matters. The biggest opportunities often arise when we take risks, embrace creativity, and believe in our potential to make an impact. I am eager to see where this journey will take me next!
Post by: Aroush Sabri
