Omg I can’t believe I’m typing out this story I yearned to do for many, many weeks now! First, I want to thank the Almighty God for this awesome breakthrough, it is truly marvellous in my sight! With Jesus nothing is impossible and once I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in business analysis, God sent all the right people I needed to help get me there!
I joined Tritek in April 2019; I was introduced by a dear beautiful friend! Shout out to you Diana as you inspired me to start this journey! I’ve been in the medical profession for 10 years now and I was totally bored and desperate for a change! One faithful day Diana who had joined Tritek a month before me, advised me to consider attending the taster session. I decided to attend, and I was totally convinced that this was where I needed to be to achieve my goal! The IT world and particularly the role of a business analyst and project manager was not a profession I was unfamiliar with. In fact, I considered it (software tester to be precise) 10 years ago! I knew it was fate and the right time to pursue this dream fully! Soon after the training sessions, I was put on a project and although disappointed I didn’t get the role of a business analyst on the project, as I was made PMO lead, that didn’t stop me! I didn’t complain and just got stuck in! I got close to the BA’s on the project and made sure I assisted with all tasks and deliverables required from the BA’s! Alongside the project I made LMS my best friend! As I was watching the videos my confidence in my ability to perform the BA role grew! Once our project came to an end, I felt ready to hit the market! I reached out to the amazing founder my Sis, aka Mama Hawk! She helped me with my CV, and I was ready! I was about to start applying when I suddenly felt afraid.
I started to get imposter syndrome and for some reason I didn’t feel I could cope with the process of speaking to recruiters and going on interviews! I needed help and so I reached out again to Mama Hawk! I needed a mentor who would help with these fears! With the help of my mentor Terry and other mentors, as I must admit I didn’t have just one! I had like 5 to be fair! Anyone I knew was a Business analyst and keen to help me, I made them my best friend! They shared insights into the role that you will not find in books and YouTube! I was like a sponge in the midst of them, taking notes of every information I was fed! From these mentors, I was given the mental push I needed, and I started applying for jobs from September 2019! My first telephone interview and face to face interview was a complete disaster, however from that experience I grew tremendously! As you start applying, you learn so much through the process as you are constantly prepping yourself for speaking to the recruiters, (which can be more intense than the actual hiring manager) conduct telephone and face to face interviews! My 3rd face to face interview was the one I secured 3 months later! I have had six face to face interviews so far!
Basically, with this role I was given good feedback from the interview back in October. However, they didn’t confirm an offer, as the role was put on hold until the new year! After a no of updates regarding the job which were becoming disheartening as it seemed I was being fobbed off, I eventually received an offer for the role of Business Analyst last week!! I honestly cannot believe this is happening! I am screaming inside, and it actually feels unreal!! I want to thank you so much Sis @ Mama Hawk for this platform you created which is truly transforming lives! You are an indeed a blessing! God shall surely reward you greatly! I want to thank my amazing mentor Terry!! I don’t believe I would have succeeded at the interview if not for his support! The interview was a very intense case study, which Terry helped me prepare a PowerPoint presentation that really allowed me shine bright like a diamond lol!
My team at project stonework, you all rocked, especially Remi our project manager who from time to time would send me articles and info regarding business analysis!
My words of advice to anyone here is to believe in what you set your mind to! You can certainly achieve your goal, but you must put in the work! With 3 kids this was certainly not a walk in the park! The struggle to even speak to recruiters or conduct telephone interviews whilst home with the kids was enough stress to want me to give up! My advice don’t give up, no matter the circumstances! You can truly make it work, if you set your mind to it! Make use of the resources around you! LMS helped me to prepare a good script for common question and answers for interviews! No man is an island so get support if needed. I certainly know I could not have achieved this without people, so I believe speak out and people that are destined to help you will certainly help.
Finally, put in the work, there is so much to learn so if you can get 1hr a day at the minimum of learning, you’re on the right track! I wish everyone on this platform success and have 100% confidence you will get there! Sorry my story is so long, I just felt I needed to add that extra detail I feel will encourage someone! I’ve always loved reading others success stories and honestly couldn’t wait to write my own!!!
