Aziza found Making The Leap after months of job searching, tired of rejections, but willing to try something new. Here, she opens up on her journey before the ACE Programme, how the workshop helped her grow confidence, and aided her in securing a role as Junior Consultant at professional services firm Pathlight Associates.
“I was making hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of applications”
“I first came across Making The Leap at the Job Centre where I spoke to Gareth. I was looking for new roles, and had so many rejections, I was making hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of applications. It was a really stressful time. I thought: ‘I have to try something different’, so I signed up to the three-week ACE workshop. I joined in September 2022 – it had already been two months since my internship ended and it had been months of constant job applications, not seeing any results.
“One of the key things that convinced me to sign up to ACE was my conversation with Gareth – he asked me what industries I was interested in and emphasised that Making The Leap have very strong connections in finance, which is what I was interested in.”
“The ACE workshop dispelled a lot of confusion about how to present myself”
“Making The Leap emphasised the importance of confidence and resilience in a professional setting. The advice on personal branding and networking was particularly good and has helped me navigate my career more effectively. I was a rookie in that environment, not knowing how to present myself, or what the cultural cues are to be aware of. The workshop helped to dispel a lot of my confusion around how to present myself in a corporate environment, so it was a really important experience.”
“I wouldn’t have got this job without Making The Leap”
“I secured the offer at Pathlight Associates a month after I graduated the ACE Programme. Making The Leap has been a great support and they provided me with invaluable career guidance, such as refining my CV and interview skills. The month leading up to my offer at Pathlight Associates I was at Job Search Wednesdays every week and volunteers would be helping to sharpen up my CV. I asked Betty if she could do a mock interview to prepare for the Pathlight interview – that was really helpful.
“The networking and mentorship opportunities following Making The Leap helped me secure my current role and I’ve seen a positive difference. I can compare myself pre-workshop where I wasn’t making much progress with my applications, to then securing two interviews post-workshop quickly. I wasn’t so nervous going into the new role, it was more of an excitement because the workshop helped me refine my skills of how to present myself in the working environment, which helped to make it more of smooth transition.
“I’m really grateful, I wouldn’t have got this job without Making The Leap. I would get super nervous during interviews but the workshop exercises helped me to accept and embrace it, and keep it moving. I present myself a lot better in person.”
“I’m still coming back to Making The Leap after two years. It’s too much of an important cause not to support.”
“Making The Leap is a supportive community where the staff work super, super hard. The three-week workshop equips you with the skills, confidence and the network to start your career. If you do the workshop, make sure to give the difference exercises your all. The first day I found it quite daunting – it’s new, you don’t know what to expect, but I’m still coming back to Making The Leap after two years. It’s too much of an important cause not to support. Making The Leap has touched so many lives including myself. Thank goodness for Making The Leap.”
“Making The Leap’s mission stands the test of time”
“I am where I am today because of the support of Making The Leap – it is really changing lives. It’s a testament to Making The Leap and the staff; you always see this trend of Fellows graduating from the workshop, then securing jobs, and guess what? – they’re back supporting Making The Leap as much as they can and volunteering at events. It just demonstrates that Making The Leap is doing what they sought to achieve. Their mission stands the test of time – people need these organisations to bridge the gap and help people move forward with their lives.”
Our ACE Programme is designed to develop the skills, confidence, and outlook of young adults, as well as provide ongoing mentorship and job application support to help them into meaningful employment.
Through our three-week workshop, running monthly, we provide hands-on, practical support to guide young people into corporate roles and help them to land their dream jobs. If you’re interested in learning more about what we do, visit our website here.
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