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Fiadhnaid is the Co - founder of Buddy Ed and a tech associate at Morgan Stanley. In this interview, she shares some wisdom from her career with us. She is the proud winner of the 2022 Morgan Stanley Global Excellence award, and WeAreTheCity Technology Rising Star Award, 2022 Internal Diversity and Inclusion Rising Star of the Year, 2021 Internal Diversity and Inclusion Rising Star of the Year Nominee. What is BuddyEd?  We focus on two audiences. For the 14 to 18 group, that is the free virtual work experience that companies sponsor and then you get to try it out. It's queer, fun, gamified and there's a £400 cash prize, they get to go to the Oxford Energy office if they win. All you need is a phone so anyone can do it from anywhere.  For the 20 to 30 group, their solution looks like Tinder for jobs. Could you tell us about your Journey to Buddy Ed? I studied coding at a GCSE; I would be in the labs for hours after school, having an amazing time. At 16, I considered programming for my A levels. I was at an all-girls state school, and they said that they don't have the appetite for STEM related majors, so they were not offering that. I started focusing on what subjects are available to me. I like maths, physics, chemistry, so I'll go down the Chem/Engineering path. I did that, and I hated it.  How did you pull through 4-intense years of hard work for a discipline that didn’t interest you?  I truly believe that you can get through anything that you put your mind to but I would have saved myself a lot of money, a lot of time, a lot of heartache, had I known that software engineering was an option when I was 16. I discovered it when I joined a Morgan Stanley’s Spring Insight Programme. I went to a spring insight week, literally four or five days and I immediately realised that this is where I need to be, in tech. That then led to a graduate offer. That spring and summer internship completely changed the course of my career, so the motivation was making those opportunities available to other people. I'm a big believer in equal access to education because I think it's the most impactful thing I can do to really help social mobility.  How did you amplify your impact in supporting females in the tech industry? I’ve done career fairs, talks, Insight Days, D, E&I,: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I was even volunteering, teaching computer science in schools in Tower Hamlets because sometimes they have a shortage of teachers.  At Morgan Stanley, I was helping with one of their step-in, step-up days. These solutions show people what's available to them so they can imagine themselves in the role. However, during my time at Morgan Stanley, I realised there are 30 16-year old women here and there are 10 employees running this day. This is not a good ratio. The existing employees of Morgan Stanley were asked to pass on the opportunity to their network to balance the attendees with the employees. This is better than nothing, but it's not scalable. Tech though is scalable. That is why a technological solution to a problem, can bring the cost down. This led to the BuddyEd platform. What is BuddyEd doing differently to other companies?  At BuddyEd, we offer career guidance, building these women up while they’re job searching. We want them to know what's out there, and we believe that anyone can get it. We show our clients how to get from data analyst at Morgan Stanley to data analyst at a startup. Maybe someone is just missing a small bit of experience in big data. That is a little gap that we help our clients to address and then they feel confident in applying to that new job.  Have you encountered any rejection, especially being a woman?  100%. It's a mixture of things. Some of it from being called ‘little girls’ in meetings with potential investors. Investors were reaching out and intimidatingly asking us whether we are capable of implementing our idea, whether we have the know-how and whether we’re confident in our plan. I'm constantly asked, ‘who does the technical work of my project’ when I'm the CTO! I often need to quantify my technical expertise a lot, and same with my co-founder. She's an ex-Rolls Royce engineer, and she will constantly be told the assumption that she's completely non-technical, not an engineer.  Which was the thing you said or you showed that made the investors trust you?  The thing that remains constant is the problem area and whether there is a structure like legs, space to grow, and whether we as the founders ourselves, are the right people for the job. Having the one-liners and also anecdotes to prove ourselves right such as explaining why companies care about 14 to 18-year-olds is key. For example, Morgan Stanley brings in so many young people because if Morgan Stanley does not immerse younger people, their competitors will get the best people.  Have you ever been rejected from an investor?  We have had lots of failed client meetings. Often some companies are just not big enough. We need companies who have large ESG budgets and are big enough to care about a talent pipeline in five years' time. If a company is small, it is less likely for it to look that far ahead. We are now going back to these same, small clients with the solution for 20-30 year olds, knowing that they declined our proposal for helping out 14-18 year-olds.  What’s BuddyEd’s future?  Amongst expanding the team, we are focusing on AI job matching and career guidance app for the 20-30s. AI-driven career coaching, targeted upskilling, identifying the little gaps they have and then telling them which courses they might need to do to fix that is what we're specialising in. What advice would you give to a girl who's trying to get into tech after uni? What would you want to hear if you were 20 years-old.?  I would like to believe that I am better than I think I am, honestly. I am more skilled, more qualified than I think I am. It is my responsibility to make sure my perspective and voice is heard. What makes me unique is valuable and special. That's not just about being a woman, it's my past experiences, my interests, my preferences, my mannerisms, my humour, these are my most most valuable assets. I should use it to my advantage and not bury it. The temptation always is to bury it and to camouflage. That is most people's instinct, fight that instinct.  About your discussion club on D&I, what is the most common concern that comes up during your discussion sessions?  From an individual's perspective, employees, usually women feel “pushed out” from technical parts of the job. I think this is not the issue in their minds, but it’s reality in tech. Letting them voice it, support, encouraging them to talk to someone senior to them, that's almost always helpful. So many people suffer in silence. They don't realise that the support network is there to help them with exactly this.  Have you ever felt the imposter syndrome?  I experienced it the most when I was so intent on being perfect, like getting 90 to 100% all of the time. When I joined BuddyEd, my resolution was learning by doing. I have failed a lot. Since then, learning has gotten a lot easier and less intense. I failed so often that it started to hold less value. A couple of months later, I realised how much I have learned. Allowing ourselves to fail, and then thinking, “I wish I'd done it sooner”. However, imposter syndrome is still there, the secret is to just keep pushing through.

Kofo Obasanjo-Blackshire is an inspiring woman who, through various roles at Shell, reflects a commitment to innovation, resilience, and continuous growth. Joining Shell marked the beginning of Kofo's adventure into the world of energy and beyond. From marketing roles exploring the application of gas to liquid in emerging markets to global process design and supply chain management, Kofo's journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence. In this interview, Kofo shares insights into her career, balancing professional aspirations with personal fulfilment, and the importance of finding joy and meaning beyond the workplace. Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Kofo, a leader navigating complexity with passion and purpose! How has your journey to Shell been like? My journey began at the end of my PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology at King's College. As I was coming towards the end of the PhD, fuelled by my curiosity about the world outside of pipettes and test tubes, I began asking myself the question of what else is out there. This led me to explore options in energy, consulting and various other areas outside of science. When Shell came along, I considered myself very fortunate because I was working within a sector that had a very strong research element to it. We were exploring the application of gas to liquid, GTL for short, to kerosene as domestic fuel in emerging markets. After having looked into a number of countries, Kenya became our ideal pilot market for this exercise. So, we partnered with the University of California at Berkeley and really started to dig into how to place and position GTL kerosene as domestic fuel in the country. I absolutely loved this project because, growing up in Nigeria, I would often find myself doing my homework and studying by a kerosene lamp, so it had a personal resonance to me. The good thing with GTL kerosene is that unlike conventional kerosene it doesn't have any of the unhealthy particulates, nitrogen, sulphur or aromatics, that you get with conventional kerosene. I thought, wow, there could be health benefits. There also was a CSR, so a social responsibility angle to it, in terms of high-computer precision. This is why I thought I’d landed on my feet. In the years after, I moved into a global process design role, GSAP architecture, and after having spent some time in that position I had my first foray into supply chains as global key account supply planner. I was building up my supply chain expertise. Then from this job, curiosity got the better of me once again, and I started to wonder what Shell could offer to be beyond supply chains. At that point, I moved into UK mobility marketing as product owner for our fuels portfolio, both the main grade fuels, Shell, main grade proposition, and our premium offering, V-Power. That was fantastic, but towards the back end of the pandemic, we had this massive reorganisation and I fell back into supply chain as the Global Supply Development Manager, first for automotive accounts and now for mining and industry. Out of the roles you’ve occupied at Shell, do you have one that you're particularly fond of? That's really tough to say because it’s like asking me who’s my favourite child. I think because of my temperament, wherever I find myself I view it as where I'm supposed to be. But, the position where I believe to have had a towering accomplishment is my previous role in the UK marketing team, as we saved the organization $10 million by harmonizing and consolidating the portfolio. Still, I love where I am today, my journey has brought me thus far and it feels great. I was reflecting on this even this morning, comparing May or April when I ran the Paris Marathon, to where I am today on the 18th of December, and I almost feel like somebody has put a cord at the top of my head and the soles of my feet and has drag me up. I feel that growth has been so exponential. If I can describe 2023 in one word, I would say that it was a year of abundance or richness, with so many things having happened. I know I sound excited when I talk about these things, and it’s because I'm where I'm meant to be and this feels like a great place. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to 2024 because I have some big plans in my head. The change in scope from automotive to mining and industry happened in August, so it is still rather fresh. It feels like I've had enough time to grow and now I can hit the ground running with this new scope. I will be discussing some of my future strategic objectives in my book. So, I’m ready to go into 2024 and just kill it, slay it and nail it. This job will be my best one. What do you think about the stigmas around Shell now that you know the  company so well? Coming from Nigeria, I was exposed to the issues that my country has with Shell. In Nigeria, oil spill stories circulate habitually, so I'm familiar with them. But, being one of the top organizations in the world, Shell is a top brand, it's a good place to work. So, while at the back of my mind, there were some reservations, I thought that overall, if you have to take the big picture into account, Shell is a good arena for personal growth and development, and that’s what I found when I joined. Still, as an industry, there's always much more to do. The energy transition, the climate change emergency, they’re all crisis that nobody can get away from. But I feel that Shell, as an organization, is actually in a prime position to live up to its ambitions of powering progress and powering us into that future where we address the climate change emergency. Climate change emergency is an existential threat; the whole of humanity is facing it, and I believe Shell can truly innovate, lead, and provide those solutions that will enable us to enter the future and actually achieve those aspirations of being net zero by 2050 or before. But, while on one hand there’s climate change emergency, on the other, people want reliable, safe and affordable energy. Squaring that circle is difficult. But, as I was saying, Shell is in a prime position to do that, and we have a number of changes that Shell has achieved as of 2023. For instance, we’ve reached the goal level of the Golab of Tini, a wind and solar powered platform in Malaysia, and we've launched our biggest electric vehicle charging site in the world in China. Nonetheless, Shell is a for-profit organization, not a not-for-profit one. Therefore, you need the legislation to encourage more vehicles to be produced and to then meet the charge point and the solutions that Shell provides. Your role and the roles that you've been in seem to be so multifaceted that your days must look very different depending on what you're currently working on, but could you give us a play-by-play of what one of your normal, standard days might look like? Let me start by saying that there is no normal, standard day, because, and that's what I love about the job, it is multifaceted that each day looks very different. But, if I had to paint a bit of a picture, I would start by saying that my team has a slogan, we say that we're the voice of the supply chain to the customer, and the voice of the customer to the supply chain. That means that my job is to reconcile the customer needs with our supply capabilities. So my job is really to strengthen the health of each account for the maximum benefit for my organization and for that of the customer. Thus, what the customer needs is our departure point, from which we then try to understand how we can satisfy those needs with the supply chain capabilities we have today, and our investments. Ultimately, following the customer requirements is necessary for Shell to stay in the business and not collapse. At the same time, when I have conversations with a customer, I bring that input from the supply chain part into the discussions. Bringing these two perspectives together is, I believe, what my job is really about, and I absolutely love this collaborative element. This is to say that, during my days, I often work in teams. Being in a global role, one minute I could be talking to a team in India, the next day, to one in the US, Australia or some parts of Europe. There’s a very strong link with local and global sales as well as the regional supply chain team. It's very much a collaborative endeavour. Dealing with so many different people, minor conflicts might arise due to cultural differences, contrasting opinions or other types of clashes. How have you personally adapted to that in your role so far? To answer this question, I can give you a live example. I won’t go into details, but currently, I am working on a project that's been set up to address this particular custom knowledge, which arose at the beginning of the year, from some supply chain issues that have threatened the relationship with that account. This was last January, and looking back on it now in December, we've made quite a bit of progress, but while the team was hoping that closer to 2024 we would have started to dismantle the project team, that's not looking likely. I had a face-to-face conversation with the customer and while at first we proposed some solutions that they were happy with, they have now said that they want something else. So, long story short, I had a call with the team this morning and I let them know it's not looking like we're going to be able to dismantle the project team in Q1, we have to protract it for longer. But, while we're doing all that, I have to make sure that we manage everybody's well-being, because if people were expecting to be able to move on from this project by, let’s say, April next year, and it extends beyond that, we’ll have to do something about it. So, it's finding ways to handle those complexities that arise, those surprises that you can't really plan for. The way I approach these unforeseen challenges is working with the team to make sure that their health is prioritized. Safety for Shell is always paramount.  You just have to find a way forward and make sure that your priorities are around those areas of safety, compliance, and customer needs. Moving past the work-place, talking about interactions with people and individuals, one thing I tend to say is that I'm not anyone's therapist. If people come with an attitude or comment that I think is negative and unpalatable, I won't stand for it, it's not for me to decipher where that is coming from. My job is to be professional, to treat everybody with respect, and to hold that as my expectation from everybody else. Regardless of what is happening in my life, the minimum I expect from myself and from others is professionalism and respect. You’ve mentioned that you travel quite a lot for work. For how long has your role at Shell required you to travel, and how do you see that going in the future? When I was in certain roles pre-pandemic, my travel was on average once a month, and it got to a point where it was quite heavy. Then it reduced to about once every other month, and after the pandemic introduced new ways of working, Shell is now in an era where the guidelines are about performance, simplification, and discipline. So the message from senior leaders, from the CEO down is that we need to be disciplined about how we deploy our budget. For this reason, this year, my travel has reduced to once every two months, and going into 2024 I think it will decrease even more with that principle of discipline really coming into play. Travel now needs to be limited to face-to-face customer meetings, while we have to cut back on team meetings, which, although important for team spirit, should be restricted to important updates or changes. Hence, I envisage 2024 being a year of maybe a once every two months or once a quarter type of travel. Do you feel like your marriage has allowed you to maintain sustenance in your role at Shell and your progression to where you are now? When it comes to marriage, I think it’s all about prioritisation and having support at home. As you may know, this year, I published a book, I ran marathons, raised my children, and did many more things, and while work is quite demanding, having that support at home was absolutely fundamental. I wouldn’t have been able to do what I do without it. Training for marathons alone, that's hours and hours of dedication. Still, you know how they say you can have it all, well I say you can have it all, but not all at the same time. That's my experience at least. Prioritizing is necessary, and with time, prevailing circumstances change. For example, I didn't start running marathons until my kids were a little bit older. Training for a marathon, working full-time in a demanding role, finishing a course at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2020 and publishing a book on the premise of creating a fair and just world are all very demanding activities, but having a husband and children who are supportive it's absolutely paramount. Is there any advice that you would give to women specifically looking to pursue a career in your fields, or just in general, to ambitious women? I love the expression ambitious women, because I think that, for a long time, the word ambition has been a dirty word. I think ambition is a great. I think it's absolutely fantastic. And I read something the other day where somebody wrote “I'm thankful for what I have, but I don't stop fighting for what I want to become”. That really resonated with me. I'm thankful and content where I am, but there's still hunger and passion in me for what I can become tomorrow. I'm not done. I'm far from settled. So, to your question, one of the things I think is really important for everybody, but especially for women, is to fill your life with more than just work. They say no one on their deathbed ever said they wished they had worked more, and I agree with that. You should fill your life with whatever brings you meaning, purpose and joy. Because when the going gets tough at work, and believe me, it will, it's important to have those aspects of your life that still make you happy. I was running this morning and when I run, a lot of reflections come into my head. I was thinking that this year has been one of abundance, but that goes beyond my achievements at work. Work has been a big part of my growth of course, but it's been broader than that. It's been the book. It's been going to Kenya to promote the book. It's been going back to Nigeria to launch the book. It's been the children doing well and thriving. It's been the family being healthy and well, it's been the friendships I've made this year. I just feel like this year my life has been enriched in so many ways, and I think it’s all because I filled my life with more than just work, so when the challenges came, I had the motivation to be resilient and push through.

Celebrating our renowned Behind Every Woman instalment, we welcomed Tiina Lee who became Citi’s Chief Executive Officer in the UK in October 2023. She was also appointed the UK Cluster & Banking Head and the CEO of Citigroup Global Markets Ltd. She is responsible for the UK Investment Banking, Corporate Banking and Commercial Banking businesses and chairs the UK Executive Committee. Amongst her visits with politicians and upcoming visit to 10 Downing St, we had the pleasure of talking to Tiina about her career so far and advice for women.Prior to joining Citi, Tiina was at Deutsche Bank where she was the Chief Executive Officer for the UK & Ireland. In her time at Deutsche, she led trading and capital markets businesses within Markets and held a number of leadership roles as Head of UK Strategy, UK Chief Operating Officer and Head of Global Markets, UK. Tiina began her 34-year career in investment banking at Hill Samuel Bank and Lehman Brothers in fixed income trading. Tiina sits on the Leadership Council of TheCityUK, a leading industry body and the board of UK Finance. She has been involved in many philanthropic endeavours, currently serving on the Board of Trustees of Donmar Warehouse Projects. Tiina Lee attended King’s College London in 1990 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science, specialising in Management Studies. Looking back on her childhood with Chinese parents, she addressed the path that was commonly predetermined for her; studying biology, chemistry and physics at A level in order to pursue a career as a doctor. It wasn’t until she had her first work experience in a surgery that she realised - with horror - that at the end of seven years, it wasn’t the vocation that was meant for her. Confused by this realisation, she was unsure of what to do until her mother suggested looking into banking. It was in the late 80s, following a period of great deregulation in Thatcher’s era, that Tiina’s journey truly began. From her studies at King’s, she soon realised how much she loved the multifaceted nature of finance. Though daunting at the time, given how vast the industry is, she knew finance was for her. At a graduate event, she remembers so clearly being set on pursing a role in M&A to which she was shocked to be asked ‘why would you want to do that for?’. She was then toured around the trading floor of Leehman Brothers, marvelling at the trading desks despite having no idea at the time what trading really was, and it was at that moment she decided - ‘I want to trade.’ So Tiina began trading for twelve years, recommending it as a brilliant place to start as it gives a good grounding for a long-term career in investment banking, teaching you risk management from a very early point. Throughout her career expanding roles in trading, debt capital markets, equity capital markets, strategy and then broader leadership roles, she claims all thirty-four years of experience combine at any one time to help her make decisions in her current role. For her progression to the top of Deutche and then recently Citi, it was more about taking lateral moves in order to ensure she had a broad experience to have the skill-set suited towards CEO. “I don’t think anyone starts their career thinking I’m a good leader, it doesn't really happen that way”, instead, she explained, it’s more of a slow burn. In fact, any responsibility, such as managing only one person is an experience of leading. Yet, Tiina recognises that it takes a very different skill set to lead 15,000 people instead of 1. Despite the cliche, she noted the importance of authenticity when leading, explaining that a good leader will be the same on TV and in front of crowds as they will 1-on-1. When asked if she had any bad experiences being a woman in finance, Tiina laughed exclaiming that she wished she could tell some horror stories but she’s had a brilliant time throughout her career. Throughout her progression, she’d been surrounded by men who had taken her under their wing, supporting her along the way. In finance - trading specifically - she explained that it’s really all about the scoresheet at the end of the day. Whether you’re ‘up’ or ‘down’ is what really matters. Though there were few women in trading at the time, Tiina noted one of her many mentors who, despite her small blonde petite frame, was a powerhouse on the trading floor at Deutsche. Watching her in a room full of men, with everyone listening when she spoke, Tiina “was  convince she could rule the world”. Tiina highlights that it’s when you’re being yourself that people will follow you. ‘It’s not about being a good leader if you turn around and no one’s behind you”. In fact, Tiina explored the idea that women tend to positively stick out as people tend to remember you more in male-dominated industries. She recalled recently pulling out her own school report cards to show her 16-year-old daughter. Year on year, her teachers praised her for her work but consistently commented ‘Tiina needs to talk up, Tiina never contributes’. She learnt that she didn’t have to be the loudest person in the room, but being a good listener and making sure everyone’s heard positioned her to be suited towards the esteemed leaderships roles she has had throughout her impressive career. As the only Wall Street bank with a female CEO, Tiina commented on the gender diversity within the company. Though not quite 50/50, they are quickly approaching an increasingly equitable split. The biggest problem? Getting Gen Z to stay in jobs. Internal development programmes are focusing on how to retain young talent within companies. Finance used to be the ‘go-to’ industry for top graduate talent, but with increasing options such as technology and consultancy and a million different graduate pathways available, financial service companies are figuring out how to make the case that finance is better. For Tiina, she explained that investment banking training is second-to-none, setting you up in the right way to navigate your war around a balance sheet, financing your company and how to manage risk which provides an excellent jumping-off point, even if a career in finance isn’t the end goal. Many, however, go in with the ‘I’ll do it for a few years’ mindset and end up falling in love with finance as a lifelong career. Tiina told our audience not to be shy to ask for things you want. Don’t sit there thinking if you work hard that someone will tap you on the back and discover you. You have to grab and ask for the opportunities you want. When it comes to regrets, she doesn’t have any. When working in large organisations, it can be easy to get obsessed by the promotion angle, but often, the true moments of acceleration occur when accepting a lateral move. These lateral moves can open a whole new series of difference options for vertical progression as well as perspective. “Sometimes you need to move to the side to move up” she advised. Her advice to her younger self echoes that of the other women we have had from our Behind Every Woman series. Tiina advised young aspiring women to find a subject niche and become an expert at it. Embrace the intellectual curiosity and if you’re bored, then do something else. For her, the day she gets bored and thinks ‘I’ve got this’ is when things will start to go wrong. She embraces the ‘fake it til you make it’ approach to get over imposter syndrome. If you’re nervous or daunted, prepare thoroughly and commit your points to memory. But, she says, a bit of nervousness is good for the soul. For those aspiring CEOs and senior level managers, she advised to practise absorbing and distilling information quickly as being able to make quick decisions is imperative. Tiina closed on an important note, highlighting that she rarely makes decisions on her own and believes in having a supportive network both personally and professionally to empower her.

As an 18-year-old girl who has come to London to live alone for the first time in her life, I’ve learned many things during my first year through experiences and people around me. Independence and responsibility Starting university was the first time I started living by myself. Through these months I have realised the responsibilities that this brings. I had to completely depend on myself and take care of myself. In the start there was no one else that could take care of me, so my self-reliance increased. Importance of forming a close friend group University is a place where you meet lots of people. Being away from home it is crucial that you form a new family here. London is a big city and Kings who has over 30,000 students. To diminish the feeling of missing home, having a close friend group that feels like family is key. You are your friends are there to take care of one another, so you think of home a little less. Time management London is a busy city, where time passes by fast. Meeting new people, joining societies and wanting to explore London - it is hard to not feel FOMO. It is important to manage your time so that you don’t miss out on assignments but also have enough time to socialise with your friends, taking advantage of this great city. Self-care I’ve realised that sometimes you need to prioritise yourself and take the day off. It is good for your wellbeing to take care of yourself, whether that's spending the day talking to friends and family members, cleaning your room, mediating, watching a movie, or even going to the gym. Days like these allows me to recharge and what has helped me stay positive through this semester. Confidence and courage Living in a new city and starting King’s taught me to be braver and explore many opportunities in life. You should try many things and join societies to form connections. The people you meet in those places most likely have the same interests as you. You then have easy made friends or have formed connections that will be valuable in the future. Adapting to change Whilst staring this new academic year, many things in my have life changed. I started living from a small city with hardly any public transport to London. Now I use public transport every day. I started university which is much different from high school, and I no longer lived with my family. All these changes were hard at once but with time I got used to all the changes and learned that it is important to be persistent in adapting to the changes around you. Let go off things Living in a new city, I’ve realised that you cannot always control things that happen to you. There are many factors that affect your life and sometimes it is important to know that you can’t be responsible for everything, nor you can expect everything to happen the way that you want it to happen. The best choice is to relax and ‘let things go’. Networking Being part of communities like the Women in Business Society at King's College London opened doors to meaningful connections and personal development. I’ve learned the value of collaboration and networking in a professional setting. This has not just been useful in terms of making connections but through these connections I’ve again made friendships and spent quality time. Financial discipline One thing all my friends realised is that living in London is expensive. In the start we were shocked by the prices of things like food, drink, and transport. We quickly adapted to this situation and started to go to more budget and student friendly places. You should prioritise payments in the beginning of the month so that you know how much money you have left for the rest of the month. Cultural awareness Living in London means that you are going to meet so many people with different backgrounds, beliefs and viewpoints. I’ve learned so much about people from other backgrounds and I enjoy understanding how their cultures form their ideas.

The second period of exams is right around the corner which means that the study sessions we’ve been dreading will soon come into reality. If you are the type of person that needs music or some type of noise in their background whiles revising to keep them focused and entertained, then this playlist is just what you need to ace those tests and meet those deadlines. White noise If you are looking to create a calming environment whiles studying at the library or anywhere else where there might be background distractions, then study noises might be for you. Surprisingly there are many types of noises, white noise, pink noise, and brown noise. However, it is said that white and pink noise is best suited for studying. If you were wondering what the difference was, white noise has a consistent rhythm and speed while pink noise has a more varied rhythm with several drops throughout its frequency. When deep focus is required, white noise is best. Examples of white noise are television static, fan, steady rain, or a vacuum. On the other hand, pink noise can improve creativity and bring about relaxation. This could be wind blowing or rain drops. If you just look up ‘white noise’ or ‘pink noise’ on Spotify, you can find plenty of playlists, which you can use to add to your own. Immerse yourself in nature Nature sounds are also great during periods of stress. There are studies that have proven that nature sounds have a positive psychological effect, reducing anxiety and inducing feelings of relaxation and comfort. If you’ve never used nature sounds such as a waterfall or birds chirping in a tropical forest, then you should give it a go and add it to your study playlist. You can also watch it in video form if you want that scenic background in your study space. RnB or Alternative Pop RnB and alternative pop are great for lightening up the mood. I would recommend looking for RnB songs that are on the slower end so that it isn’t too distracting. As you can see, we want something as minimally distracting but still effective in creating a serene environment to stimulate focus and alleviate stress. Some of my favourite artists that I would add to my study playlist for some change in atmosphere would be PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jhené Aiko, or The Weeknd. RnB classics are also great for a study playlist as they have a slow tempo, and you can never go wrong with some classics from the early 2000’s or 90’s. If you are not a big fan of RnB, then I would recommend adding alternative pop to your playlist instead. Alternative pop is great because similarly to RnB you can find loads of songs that have a slower tempo. It’s a great genre to have in the background whiles being productive. I am a big Lana Del Rey fan so I would add her music to my playlist. If you are not sure what to look for, don’t worry, there is a huge array of RnB and alternative pop playlists on Spotify which you can grab from to add to yours. Spotify’s new preview future is a great way to skim through playlists by giving you a quick taste of each song. It looks like a small square that appears next to the plus button.

As a first year business management student I always have these questions at the back of my mind. Why do I have to do pre-readings? Is commuting worth it? Is university going to be the best experience in my life? Well, let me tell you I think I’ve finally figured it out. It was always to do with routine for me. From having such a long, relaxing summer to now having to constantly read texts and complete weekly quizzes, I feel like I have finally got into the flow of things. My day starts off with a couple of alarms ringing one after the other to force me out of bed (Thank you to my flatmates for bearing with the sound every morning). But despite the grunts and snoozing, once I get out of bed it always feels rewarding like I am finally an adult in charge of my life. Getting ready is my favourite part of my morning, the feeling of wearing whatever I want without any uniformity always makes my day. Now if I have a 9am lecture the outfits aren’t always my best work because commuting at rush hour is what I need to save my energy for. Always leave an hour early, trust me. Reach the station at 8:15 at best if you’re living at Canada Water like me. It’s better early then walking in while the lecturer is mid-way through their sentence because when lecturers say they remember faces, they really do, no matter how many students they have. I have three 9 am lectures per week. I would say that really sucks but the modules are way more interesting than I initially expected, and my timetable doesn’t change. So, like I said at the start, the routine is my best friend, and it will be yours as well. Other than those three early lectures I have one at 4 pm. I don’t have any on the same day which first made me think I have one day off from university. But guys, this is university, and, in my course, we have tutorials. They are basically an interactive session with small group of students and tutorial leader. Sometimes the leader is your lecturer and sometimes is a PhD student. No matter who runs it, they are very helpful in my opinion, we discuss the lecture as well as the tutorial assignments. I hope if you are a fellow business management student, you remember to submit it before the tutorial starts. On the days I have pretty much nothing or a huge gap between my two of my sessions, I normally go to the library to get some work done or socialise or both. Take your friends with you to the library; either the study spaces on strand campus where I study or to Maughan library. It's always way more motivating when you’re studying with someone. Obviously since I am first year, the content isn’t that heavy, and two out of four modules don’t have an exam, so I dedicate my library time to finishes tutorial assignments or doing my pre-reading. My day as a business management student has always been better than I expected, from the content I learn to the people I meet. Every day is of course different and will include different challenges, but I am so grateful that I was accepted to study here. A day no matter how good or bad doesn’t define a student but the final outcome is what matters.

Do you wake up debating whether you should skip your 9am lecture? Often study at a crowded Maughan Library? Or attend your seminar while the sky darkens in the middle of the day? You might even go to your accommodation desiring nothing but sleep, even though you have a million pages of readings you have to start. Let’s be real, we all suffer with burnout. But it’s not impossible to overcome. Here’s a guide to tell you how. 1. Using Pomodoro Pomodoro is an efficient time-management tool that helps to prevent exhaustion by breaking studying into short, focused intervals. Typically, you work for 25 minutes, which is called a ‘Pomodoro’ and afterwards, you take a 5-minute break. After completing four Pomodoro intervals, you take a longer break, which is usually between 15 and 30 minutes. This technique encourages intense concentration while preventing mental fatigue, as frequent breaks reduce the probability of feeling overwhelmed. By working in small, structured blocks, you can improve productivity without sacrificing your mental energy. Thus, this technique is a significant way to promote a balanced study-rest cycle. 2. Setting reachable goals Setting realistic goals is essential to managing academic demands and avoiding burnout. Instead of tackling an entire project at once, breaking it down into smaller, achievable tasks can make the workload feel easier to cope. Goals should be specific, measurable, and time-bound. Setting realistic milestones boosts motivation by creating frequent opportunities to celebrate small successes, which builds momentum and minimizes stress. This process will allow you to maintain steady study-routine without overloading your capacity. 3. Limiting multitasking Multitasking might seem efficient, but it often leads to reduced focus and increased stress. When you try to juggle multiple tasks at once, you’ll probably struggle to give full attention to the activities, which can lead to mistakes, frustration, and eventually feeling burned out. Focusing on a single task improves efficiency and will help you to properly engage with your assignments or studying. Completing tasks one by one can also enhance satisfaction, as there’s a clear sense of accomplishment with each task. By concentrating on one activity at a time, you will be more likely to work effectively and reduce your stress level. 4. Focusing on self-care Prioritising self-care is fundamental to preventing academic burnout. Simple self-care practices such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating will help you maintain your energy. By adding some of the said activities to your daily routine, eventually you will gain the resilience you need for sustained academic success. Mental well-being is equally important, and activities like meditation, journaling, or even socializing can help one relax. Focusing on self-care will reinforce the balance between academics and personal health, making it easier for you to approach academic challenges with a clear mind and positive outlook. 5. Time management Time management skills are crucial in effectively allocating time to both academic and personal responsibilities. By planning and organising your time productively, you can prevent last-minute cramming, which I think most of us can agree can be extremely overwhelming. Utilizing tools like planners, digital calendars, or scheduling apps will help you prioritize tasks and make efficient use of your time. Good time management includes setting deadlines for each task and sticking to a structured schedule to control your workload. When you devise a realistic studying plan, you’ll be more likely to avoid putting pressure on yourself, maintain a steady pace, and enjoy a balanced academic life. Keep in mind that many of us are going through the same challenges. It may not be easy in the beginning, but each of these tips will help with keeping a sustainable balance, which is key to managing both academic success and well-being.

In a city like London, where ambition is woven in the fog, it’s easy to feel as if you're constantly racing to keep up. The pressure to climb quickly, to have the perfect job title, or be seen as 'on track' can feel relentless, especially when everyone around you seems to have everything figured out. Under these circumstances, it’s easy to bend to peer pressure or to shy away from your true goals for fear of judgment. So how do we carve out our own path in a city where every choice feels observed—and judged? Often, I’ve found that judgment does not come from others but from within. The constant noise in your head—thoughts like 'They think this is stupid' or 'This is so cringey'—is often just your own insecurities reflected back at you. I can assure you that everyone you know has similar worries about their every move, but the reality is, no one really cares. ‘Main character syndrome,’ as it’s called, has stifled self-confidence and kept people from pursuing their potential more times than we realise. We’re all caught up in our own bubbles, convinced that others are watching, thinking, or analysing us. We are all so busy imagining what others think that we lose sight of what we actually want. Judgment often serves as a mirror, reflecting not just our insecurities but also those of the people around us. It’s a natural tendency for people to criticize what they find uncomfortable or intimidating within themselves. For instance, a professional athlete wouldn’t scoff at a beginner for their lack of skill; instead, they’d likely respect the effort it takes to start from scratch. When people look down on others, it usually reveals more about their own limitations or lack of confidence than it does about the person they’re judging. They judge because they feel threatened, unable, or unwilling to do what you’re working toward, and this discomfort translates into criticism. Once you recognise that judgment often comes from a place of insecurity, it strips away the power it holds over you. Instead of internalizing negative opinions, you can feel proud of yourself for daring to take on challenges and grow, even if others might not understand your path. This perspective shift allows you to replace the weight of their opinions with pride in your own resilience and courage. Navigating career-related peer pressure is a challenge that requires careful planning and self-reflection. Peer pressure becomes more prominent when you lack a solid plan of what you consider success. Starting off my defining your own success will prevent you from being sidetracked and or easily influenced by the opinions of others. From there, you are able to begin taking small, confident steps that will take you down your path of success. Taking a large leap with your fingers crossed is terrifying for anyone but taking steps that focus on growth not immediate satisfaction or perfection will help you gain experience and confidence. As you gain confidence in your plan, feedback will be easier to receive. I used to be terrified of hearing what others had to say, worrying too much on looking foolish. Constructive feedback can improve your quality of work and can motivate or inspire you. Especially if you’re working on the same thing for a long period of time, you can become blind to error or easily overlook things that a fresh pair of eyes can pick up on. Freeing yourself from the fear of judgment means recognising that most of it stems from your own self-perceptions, not the views of others. When you let go of the need to be validated by external opinions, you reclaim your confidence and allow yourself the space to grow. Embrace your uniqueness, pursue what you deem to be your success, working towards it confidently daily, one baby step at a time.

Starting university in a new country was something I knew would be challenging, but I did not expect the whirlwind of emotions that came with it. I’m Benise, a 19-year-old from Paris, and up until this year, I had spent my entire life in the City of Light. I left behind a tight-knit group of friends, a familiar routine, and everything that made Paris feel like home. Arriving in London was exciting yet intimidating. The city has an incredible energy – it is fast-paced, diverse, and always alive. I loved the idea of being here, but there was a part of me that was nervous. I worried about keeping up, about finding new friends, and about making this city feel like home. The first few weeks were tough; I missed my old life in Paris and all the familiar faces. But, thankfully, everything started to shift once I allowed myself to interact with new people. I have made so many incredible friends here – other international students who understand the struggle of being away from home, as well as locals who have shown me the best of London. With these new friends, we have explored the city together, from late-night dinners in cozy pubs to sunny weekends in the parks. They have become my support system, my second family. Slowly, that feeling of being alone disappeared, replaced by a sense of belonging somewhere and joy. And as the homesickness began to fade, I realised something comforting: my friends back home did not forget about me. We still keep in touch regularly, sharing updates, funny moments, and cheering each other on from afar. The love and support from Paris remain constant, reminding me that distance does not weaken real friendships. In fact, I now feel even closer to them. Each message, call, and update makes me more excited for when we will reunite – I know our time together will be even more special because of this distance. Now, I feel happier than ever. London’s beauty has revealed itself to me, not just in its streets but in the friendships, the culture, and the memories I am creating every day. Homesickness was part of my journey, but it has taught me so much about resilience, friendship, and embracing change. So, to anyone feeling anxious about leaving home: the unfamiliar may seem daunting at first, but it is where the most beautiful memories and connections are waiting to be made. Homesickness will pass, and you will realize that your friends back home are still cheering you on, excited to see how you are growing and thriving. And when you reunite, it will be as if no time has passed – only with even more stories to share. Take the leap – it’s worth it!

University life can be daunting and its journey unclear. With so many possibilities and opportunities at an arms’ reach, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or lost without direction.  However, this can easily be alleviated through careful planning. Goals can serve as a roadmap for academic success, personal growth, and career preparation. The aim is to make university life not only productive but also rewarding.   Tip #1     My first piece of advice would be to ensure your goals are as specific as possible. This means that clear outcomes should be defined. Instead of a vague goal like: “improve my Spanish”, a specific goal would be: “do Duolingo each day for 30 minutes after lunch."   Since the time frame is specified, it is more likely to be completed every day.  Tip #2   Another crucial step when setting specific goals is identifying your purpose.   Finding your purpose will help you accomplish your goals because it will give them more value. By attributing the reason of wanting to know more languages being to improve your CV, then you would be more motivated in achieving that goal since it has now become part of your pursuit of a career. This is just an example and can be applied in all areas of life, whether it be academic or personal.  Tip #3   Break your goals down into actionable steps. By breaking down your goal into smaller steps, it becomes easier to complete it within the given time frame. Building at least an initial plan will give you a starting point.   For instance, if your goal is to get an internship at Google, your first three ‘mini goals’ could be: check Google’s website to learn about their purpose and values; research Google’s interview process and take notes; and polish resume. Create a checklist for your ‘mini goals’, check them off and gradually build momentum to help you tackle bigger goals.  Tip #4   Categorise your goals and maintain balance. Organisation is key to achieving your goals, which is why categorising them can make a big difference. Make sure to group your goals into categories like academics, personal growth, or health, as this creates a clear map that you can focus on without feeling too overwhelmed.    Prioritising certain goals over others at certain points in time can help avoid or at least reduce your stress.  Tip #5   Integrating self-care is essential in our daily lives to maintain overall balance. Goals can be paired with forms of self-care. After completing a goal, you can watch your favourite show, go out with a friend for dinner, or have your favourite sweet treat to not only reward yourself but motivate yourself to continue achieving more goals. Remind yourself that it’s okay if some goals take longer or need re-adjustment. Setbacks can be learning experiences which can help you adapt without losing sight of the bigger picture.  Tip #6   Finally, visualisation is key, or should I say manifestation? Many are sceptical of the powers that manifestation possesses, perhaps due to a lack of scientific evidence or a misunderstanding of the concept.   Despite this, I am here to tell you that even though you might not believe in manifestation and view it as a ‘mystical force’, I believe that your ability to visualise your goal can make or break it.   It is not about wishing for things to happen but rather reinforcing your commitment to your goal. By actively picturing yourself achieving the goal, you’re training your mind to stay focused. Visualise each step within your goal as well, not only the desired outcome.   Goal setting at university doesn’t have to be daunting. By making goals specific, realistic, and well-organised you can create a clear path to success. Remember to celebrate small wins and most importantly be patient and kind to yourself as you grow.

I once had a friend of mine explain the ‘proper’ way to write an academic essay, following up by asking "can you understand what I mean?".  Ordinarily, I would have seen this as a condescending way of talking - a needless explanation of something I was already well-versed in, in which I would have responded by calling them out of their unnecessary explanation. But what made this experience particularly interesting was that this friend happened to be male, transforming it into a classic case of ‘mansplaining.’  The phenomenon of mansplaining - when a man condescendingly explains something to a woman, even on a topic she is already knowledgeable about - is frustratingly common.  It's so extensive that there's even a specific term for it.   I'm not sure how our initial discussion arose, but I knew it represented a dynamic I'd experienced all too often. Mansplaining is frustrating and addressing it constructively can be a challenge.  Often, the male counterpart does not realise that his explanations can be deemed as ‘mansplanations’ and therefore responding to mansplaining requires a delicate balance - addressing the condescension without overly bruising his ego.   The temptation in these moments is to fire back with a snippy retort with something like "Gee, thanks for that ground-breaking insight. I had no idea how to do the very thing I do every day of my life: write!".   But that often only puts the mansplainer on the defensive, derailing the conversation from trying to explain why his explanation was unnecessary to a more heated debate on being overly sensitive.   Instead, I opted for a more diplomatic tack. "Yes, I'm familiar with the standard structure for academic essays," I said, keeping my tone even. "As students, we've both had plenty of practice crafting papers that adhere to those conventions." I paused, meeting his gaze evenly. "Was there a particular aspect you wanted to discuss, or did you have something else in mind?"  The subtle shift in framing accomplished a few key things. First, it politely but firmly asserted my own familiarity with the topic, denying my friend the opportunity to continue his unsolicited tutorial. Second, it prompted him to clarify his true intent - was he genuinely seeking to collaborate, or was he just bent on demonstrating his perceived superiority?    Thankfully, in this case, my friend seemed to recognise the subtext and quickly backed off, mumbling something about just wanting to make sure we were "on the same page." The conversation moved on, and I was able to maintain my composure without resorting to confrontation.  Of course, not every such encounter ends so smoothly. When faced with more persistent condescension, the only way to combat it may be to call it out directly, pressing the other person to examine their assumptions. "I'm curious what made you think I needed an explanation of essay structure. As fellow students, I'd assume we both have a firm grasp of the basics."  The key is to remain calm and in control. By refusing to be marginalized, and by steering the conversation back to where it belongs, you can begin to dismantle this frustrating habit, one exchange at a time. It's not about winning an argument - it's about reclaiming your own expertise and asserting your rightful place in the discussion.  After all, we've all been there. That moment when someone, often a man, decides to enlighten us about something we already understand. Whether it's in the classroom, the office, or even during family dinners, these instances of condescension can be deeply aggravating.   But by responding with poise and confidence, we deny them the satisfaction of diminishing our capabilities. And more times than not, they do not realise that they are mansplaining, making remaining poised all the more important.  In the end, the goal isn't to embarrass the mansplainer or score rhetorical points. It's about creating a more equitable dynamic, where our knowledge and opinions are given the same weight and respect as our male counterparts. And of course, it would be extremely utopic of us to think that confronting a mansplainer one at a time would change the entirely of gender dynamics.   Instead, we would hope that by calling our male counterpart out every time we spot a case of mansplaining, that they are reminded that not every situation requires their knowledgeable input, hopefully helping them to give their next mansplanation a second thought before sharing with the room.

Consulting is such a wide term and one that is constantly thrown around, especially in a business degree. I always hear everyone talking about how they want to go into consultancy, but I never really understood what it was, so when given the opportunity to attend an office visit to Accuracy alongside the Women in Business society, I couldn’t say no. I would take any chance to learn about what this career is that people are so desperate to get into. Accuracy is an international firm which operates in 14 countries with just under 800 employees. They aim to support corporate leaders with their decisions on strategy, transactions, disputes and much more. The company has a mission to provide their in-depth knowledge and expertise to their clients in order to help them face different situations. As soon as I stepped into the office, I noticed an intense but inviting atmosphere; the team worked quietly yet energetically. The visit began with us being taken to a conference room which was set up nicely with a careers booklet and a pencil for each attendee. An associate at the company introduced themselves to us and explained the structure of the visit: introduction to accuracy, CV and cover letter advice, interview prep followed by a mock interview and finally a networking session. A senior associate gave us an introduction to the company, mentioning their careers programs and a general insight into the firm. She explained that the clients of Accuracy span various industries, from law firms needing fact-checked documentation to corporate firms requiring market research verification. I learnt that it was key for Accuracy to build trust with their clients, ensuring the information they provide is impeccable. It became clear quickly that the company’s commitment to detail was what made them a sought-after partner in the world of information integrity. With this foundation in mind, the next session involved learning how to showcase our skills accurately and persuasively on paper. The senior associate began by stating the don’ts of writing a CV, the things they never want to see. She then went on to tell us what makes an impressive CV and cover letter. Her advice? Begin with clarity and focus. She stressed the importance of conciseness and specificity; no employer wants to read a CV over one page long. The junior associate talked through her recent experience of applying to Accuracy and what she had done when creating her CV and cover letter. In terms of writing a cover letter, the main advice was simply to always customise each letter so it reflected the values and mission of the company which was being applied to. By focusing on clarity, conciseness, and customisation, I walked away with a toolkit for constructing application materials that would stand out in a competitive field. The next part of the visit involved gaining interview preparation advice and taking part in a mock interview. The interviewers challenged us to answer questions in a structured manner, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to tell a story but still showcase our skills. One valuable insight was that interviewers seek problem solvers who can articulate clear, strategic responses under pressure. There isn’t always a right answer to a question, sometimes your thought process is all that is being examined to see if you are able to demonstrate logical thinking and adaptability. Practicing these skills in a mock interview setting was a perfect way to refine my responses and gain confidence. Networking might just be the most important thing you do at university, so I was extremely grateful when we were given the opportunity to meet some of the other Accuracy employees and ask them questions on their experiences. I learnt about all the different backgrounds that the employees had come from in terms of their degree but also their culture. Leaving the Accuracy office, I felt equipped not only with new knowledge but also with a newfound appreciation for the precision and attention to detail required in consulting. I had gone to this event with a very basic idea on what consulting entailed and I left with enough knowledge for me to break into the consulting world if I chose to. Launching a career in consulting isn’t just about landing a position, its about understanding the intricacies of professional excellence and flawless communication. This visit was more than just an educational experience; it was a foundational step in shaping my career.

Leda Olia is an aspiring woman in the world of finance and consulting, currently thriving as a manager consultant within Deloitte’s Financial Services Change team. With a strong background in behavioural science, Leda has become a driving force in large-scale transformation programs for high-profile clients in wealth management, insurance, and banking. Her journey to becoming a manager at Deloitte showcases her dedication to understanding and solving complex change challenges through a unique behavioural science perspective.   As a young woman in a male-dominated industry, Leda’s resilience, critical thinking, and commitment to elevating others make her a powerful role model for women aspiring to lead in finance and beyond.  What advice would you give to women struggling with self-confidence in male-dominated industries?   Leda believes that one of the best ways to empower women in the workforce is by “seeing other women as allies.” Once women can connect with each other they can see that they relate on similar things. She found that in male dominated spaces, she’s faced inappropriate behaviour from some of her male colleagues. These situations have taught her the importance of tolerance and finding middle ground.   She said: “Look to your female role models.” It is important to be open to discuss your opinions and respectfully question people’s decisions.   How do you think the industry can better support women in leadership roles, especially within areas like wealth management and banking?   Leda said that the best way women can be better supported in male dominated areas, is simply by giving women the opportunity to lead. She defines leadership as fundamentally caring about other people and their feelings.   Being a leader means showing people the way, helping them and promoting diversity. Not just taking people into work. You are doing what’s best for both the business and the team.  She said: “the team comes before the client.”   Most of the time women are not considered for leadership roles even though many possess qualities that are extremely suitable for leading teams - such as empathy, collaboration and adaptability. She mentioned that within her field, women are often given feedback on their appearance and character, not on areas of growth, performance and progress.       What role does emotional intelligence play when dealing with resistance to change, especially in high-stakes industries like banking and insurance and what habits and routines have helped you maintain your well-being?   For Leda, emotional intelligence is crucial in consulting and finance, particularly when dealing with resistance to change. In high-stake industries like consulting, transformation often encounters pushback, and that’s where empathy plays a huge role.     As a consultant, Leda said that she feels the need to be sensitive to underlying challenges, helping clients feel understood. For her, building strong habits around critical thinking and structured argumentation has been vital.     Leda advises to reach out to people beyond your immediate team, and to not be scared to ask questions and consider fresh perspectives to see. She highlighted the importance of learning how to respectfully challenge the people that are your seniors.     What has been your proudest achievement during your time at Deloitte, and how has it shaped your view of success?   Leda said that her proudest achievement at Deloitte has been her journey within the Behavioural Change team. When she first joined, she was a contributor, but through consistent effort, she grew into an operational lead role and eventually became an industry lead.   Being part of a team that uses behavioural science to create impactful ‘nudges’ for clients was something she was passionate about from the start, and this progression has been a rewarding validation of her commitment.   Another highlight was a recent client project where she used polls to improve engagement—taking the response rate from 35 per cent to an impressive 75 per cent.   Her achievements have reinforced her belief that success isn’t just about hitting metrics but about creating real and positive change for clients while building genuine relationships.   Leda said that metric-focused pressure can sometimes be challenging, especially early on when you don’t have full control over your hours. However, learning to navigate this has only strengthened her resilience and commitment to her clients.  Could you give one piece of advice for university students who are looking to enter consulting or finance?   The best way to learn more about the field is to reach out to professionals, even if it feels intimidating at first.  Leda suggested finding people who work in consulting or have experience outside of it, and be brave enough to ask them questions, even if they seem silly. A 15-minute conversation can give you insights that you won’t find in any textbook.   Or even look for materials that are relevant and go beyond just the technical skills, understanding the human side of consulting, for instance, is invaluable. Building connections thoughtfully is also key.   Leda said that when you reach out on LinkedIn, make it targeted and genuine. Having a mentor, especially someone outside your organisation, can be incredibly helpful.  Look for someone you can relate to on a personal level, someone who can give you objective advice.

Women are at the forefront of the changing financial world. It was hard for them to break into the industry as there were inherently no finance-related jobs that employers were willing to get them. In the late 1890s and 1900s, women first entered the financial world by getting jobs as clerks and secretaries. However, this came with many challenges. The journey of women in finance began with small steps. Janet Hogarth was one of the first female clerks at the Bank of England in 1894. Although this was an impressive achievement at that time, she was required to use a separate entrance from her male colleagues and had to resign if she got married, hence highlighting the significant barriers to entry that she faced. Muriel Siebert became the first woman to become a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1967, after getting a loan from the Chase Manhattan bank. This achievement was monumental! Despite this, she was still not able to go in person to the stock exchange, and instead had to have a proxy, a male broker, step in for her, highlighting the persisting gender stereotypes at that time. Her determination paved the way for herself but also for other women aspiring to enter the finance world. This may also have had a knock on effect on other countries. In 1973, women were allowed into the London Stock Exchange. This was a critical moment that led to even more significant changes. In the late 1900s, there were various legislative changes in the UK that made it easier for women to access roles in business. The Equal Pay Act (1970) and Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1975) were pivotal in dealing with gender discrimination at the workplace, granting women more autonomy and agency. Because of these changes, women were able to slowly climb up the corporate ladder. However, women have not yet fully penetrated the finance sector. In 2023, UK women in finance and insurance earned just over 70% of their male colleagues' average weekly gross pay. And in that same year, only 32.2% of women were in senior leadership positions across different sectors. It seems women are still facing barriers in entering the finance sector. Maybe in 2026, these figures will look different.

Take it from a History and International Relations student- panicking and overthinking the utility of your degree is an all too real, canon event in our generation of students. No matter how on-track we are, there are always times when we question what the right balance is between passion and profession. Do we want to pursue our dreams and interests (with the undertone of a “no matter the cost” approach), or do we choose to sacrifice some of that in exchange for stability and reliability? Can we have the best of both worlds? Do we even want our passions to be linked to our jobs? These are all big questions that weigh on the minds of university students and young professionals everywhere. The UK system of higher education inherently forces you into specialisation. In comparison to other system, like the US, you choose depth over breadth when you enrol in a British university. This system has so many benefits for those who choose it, but it comes with some drawbacks. Firstly, you have to choose what you want to study as your undergraduate degree when you are still in high school. No matter how well informed you think you are, there are always a few surprises ahead when you actually start your degree. Second, the depth at which you explore your chosen university degree sometimes feels like you are acquiring a narrow set of skills and knowledge. For those of us who do not want to work in the field of our undergraduate studies (for example, I do not want to become a historian), the daunting task of reorientation can seem like a whirlwind. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will see that choosing a career that seems nonobvious to your degree is not only possible, but actually quite common! The first step in the process has to be the internal reconciliation that what you study does not make or break your career. Not to be overly sanguine, but every degree has useful knowledge and skills that you can benefit from and utilize in a wide array of future careers. Finding out what it is that your degree actually offers has to be the next step. To draw on a personal example, though I do not plan on using my knowledge of the history of childhood in Victorian England for my future in the professional world, taking that module taught me valuable skills in research of niche topics and information condensing. After finding the skills that you have been invariably strengthening throughout your degree, build on them! Find skills that you may be lacking in too and figure out ways in which to develop them. Reflect and identify your strengths and weaknesses, and you will see just how well-qualified you are for a whole lot of professions. Lastly, take advantage of all that KCL has to offer in terms of extracurriculars. Not only are societies a great way to socialize, network and have fun, there are so many amazing events, that allow you to learn (about basically anything) outside of your degree. Meet people who are interested in different things and learn from their career paths. It’s a great benefit of university, take it for granted and you will be sorely missing out. While I cannot tell you what career you should pursue, I can tell you that fewer than 47% of graduates work in careers directly connected to their degrees. It's not about your degree itself, but about how you use it to achieve your personal career goals! Think outside the box and you will be well on your way to a career that fulfils you.

London, one of the most innovative hubs in the world and the financial centre of the UK, offers a thriving ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs. Integrating technology, finance, food, and fashion, thus offering a wide array of opportunities that a start-up can avail to grow their businesses. Several key areas make up London's entrepreneurial landscape, each one presenting distinct opportunities for growth and networking. King’s Cross One of the most prominent areas for technology and digital start-ups is King’s Cross. In recent years, it has transformed into a hub for innovation. Centered on cutting edge industries, it is home to significant tech entrepreneurs and is quickly becoming one of London's most vibrant areas for businesspeople. Wise (formerly TransferWise) has achieved remarkable success since its founding a decade ago. In 2021, it reached a significant milestone by becoming directly listed on the London Stock Exchange. The European digital ecosystem has been significantly impacted by the company's transformation from two Estonian co-founders, Taavet Hinkrus and Kristo Käärmann, to a worldwide fintech powerhouse with over 2,400 employees representing over 90 nationalities. The company’s headquarters in King's Cross has become a central hub for its innovation and growth, further cementing the area as a key location for high-tech startups in London. Shoreditch Another popular area which attracts young innovators keen to make their mark is Shoreditch. It is known for being a creative and cultural environment, drawing in a wave of entrepreneurs because of its commercially affordable nature, compared to neighbouring districts such as Soho. Shoreditch is an ideal spot for early-stage businesses hoping to flourish in a fast-paced setting since it is home to start-ups in industries including fintech, digital marketing, gaming, and app development. Monzo, a digital bank that launched in 2015 is an example of a successful start-up in Shoreditch. Being originally based in Shoreditch’s vibrant tech community, Monzo benefitted from Shoreditch’s culture of innovation, attracting top talent and funding. The area’s collaborative ecosystem allowed Monzo to grow rapidly from a small start-up to a major player in UK digital banking. Camden The next up-and coming hotspots for entrepreneurs is Camden. It has a rich street culture and history of creative industries, offering fertile ground for start-ups in retail, design, and sustainable businesses. Among the unique resources offered in the area is Camden Collective, a non-profit initiative which has transformed vacant properties for co-working space, housing early-stage firms with affordable workspaces and training programs. This project has helped launch numerous successful ventures, that include fashion and art-based start-ups such as ZigZag Global and Collectively, which have thrived in the supportive environment Camden offers.  ZigZag Global has emerged as a leading technology platform specialising in e-commerce returns management. As a result, Camden has become a lively community for entrepreneurs seeking to turn innovative ideas into reality, particularly those looking to tap into London's creative and consumer markets. London remains a vibrant and thriving city for local entrepreneurs, offering the perfect combination of resources, talent, and innovation. From the high-tech environment of King’s Cross, to Shoreditch’s creative and collaborative energy, to Camden’s unique support for design and sustainable ventures, each area provides different strengths that cater to a variety of industries. These communities have become pivotal spaces for startups to grow and succeed, illustrating London's role as a leading global destination for business innovation. London’s entrepreneurial energy is dynamic, making it an ideal place for turning business ideas into successful ventures.

In an era where artificial intelligence has transcended from science fiction to workplace reality, professionals are finding themselves at the intersection of two transformative forces: the rise of remote work and the AI revolution. As major tech giants and financial institutions rush to integrate AI into their operations, it's becoming clear that this technology isn't just another passing trend—it's reshaping how we work, collaborate, and build our careers. In today’s world, the modern workplace has evolved far beyond the traditional office setting. And thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, this modernity has been accelerated towards a new norm of remote working. In a post-Covid world, the workplace formula has been transformed into something known as ‘hybrid work’, where remote and in-person work arrangements co-exist. AI tools are proving to be the crucial bridge that makes these flexible arrangements not just possible, but highly effective. Smart collaboration platforms powered by AI are revolutionizing team communication and project management. These tools can now automatically transcribe meetings, translate conversations in real-time, and even generate comprehensive meeting summaries, things that seemed impossible just a few years ago. For professionals juggling multiple responsibilities or working across different time zones, these capabilities are game-changing. Imagine having an AI assistant that not only schedules your meetings but also provides you with key talking points and follow-up actions before you even begin. Boosting productivity? One of the most significant advantages of AI in remote work is its ability to boost individual productivity through personalisation. AI-driven tools can learn from your working patterns, helping to optimize your schedule and automate routine tasks. For instance, email management systems can now prioritize messages, draft responses, and even detect the tone of communications—ensuring that professional relationships remain strong despite physical distance. As AI continues to transform the workplace, the skills landscape is evolving rapidly. While some may worry about job displacement, the reality is that AI is creating new opportunities for career growth and specialization. Those beginning their careers are increasingly finding themselves in roles that involve AI strategy, implementation, and optimization. The key to success in this new environment lies in developing a hybrid skill set that combines technical literacy with traditional business acumen. Understanding how to leverage AI tools effectively, interpret AI-generated insights, and make strategic decisions based on data-driven recommendations is becoming as fundamental as knowing how to use a spreadsheet was a generation ago. Are we better without? However, this AI-driven future isn't without its challenges. Are we better without? Issues of digital equity, algorithm bias, and the need for continuous upskilling require careful attention. As new AI laws and regulations are being created in varying ways, the attitudes towards AI are ever changing, requiring careful attention to its development. The blurred line of AI ethics is now becoming an important discourse as questions of responsibility come into play. There's also the question of maintaining authentic human connections in an increasingly automated workplace. While AI can facilitate communication, it's crucial to preserve the human elements that make business relationships meaningful. Finding the right balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining genuine personal interactions will be key to success in the future workplace. Looking to the future As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to evolve and reshape how we work. It is likely that those who embrace AI as the new norm will find themselves at the forefront of the business world. Following this, the future workplace will likely be more flexible, more efficient, and more inclusive than ever before, thanks to the combination of AI capabilities and remote work arrangements. As we navigate this transformation, one thing remains clear: the future of work isn't about AI replacing humans—it's about AI empowering humans to work smarter, achieve more, and create better work-life integration.

In a competitive job market, the pressure to stand out can be overwhelming, leading many students to believe that the only way to get a strong CV is through industry-related work experience. However, this is not always the case, and this perspective can prevent students from recognising other opportunities they can pursue to develop their soft skills. Employers across all sectors value soft skills, so it’s worth developing these core competencies in university. This is a guide to boosting your soft skills without the job experience as a student at King’s. Join a society King’s has over 400 societies to choose from, and numerous finance and business-related ones. After looking through their socials and attending some of their events, you can apply for one of the roles if you're interested. Being a committee member would help improve your core skills, such as collaboration, problem-solving, and communication as you’re constantly working with your team to liaise with different stakeholders or to plan events. Developing these skills early on would help employers see that you are proactively seeking personal development, and have the willingness to step outside your comfort zone by taking on additional responsibilities. However, make sure not to take on too many societal roles, as your time management can become skewed. It’s important to also enjoy university life while boosting your CV.  2. Part-time jobs Part-time jobs help build ‘transferable skills’, such as the ability to work under pressure. Apart from that, it also shows that you have a strong work ethic, as it shows that you can time manage your studies and work. Let’s not forget that London is a very expensive city to live in. So really, you’re killing two birds with one stone – boosting your CV and earning money for a Zara haul. 3. Online courses Getting a certificate after you have completed an online course is tangible evidence that can validate the skills you have acquired. These are especially helpful if you’re applying to a job that does not correlate to your major, as it demonstrates that you are knowledgeable in that area.  AmplifyME has numerous free courses/simulations that you can complete on your own time. Coursera also has some free courses, but it’s quite limited. However, it does have a one-week free trial, and if you’re sure that you can complete it under that period, it’s worth completing a course on that platform. All in all, boosting your CV does not mean that you have to chase internships. Dive into societies, snag a part-time gig, or complete some online courses instead.