After graduating with a degree in Business Management, like many others I was left with the thought ‘What next?’ With a passion to succeed and to kick-start my career, I began searching for schemes and programmes that would enable me to do so. I first heard about Eagles Graduate Scheme from an employee at Poplar HARCA – a firm that also supports the programme.
Working in Canary Wharf or the City of London was a far dream for someone like myself – growing up in one of the most deprived boroughs in London. ELBA made this dream reality with their endless opportunities and benefits.
There was several interview stages such as group assessments, numerical tests and one-to-one interviews. I remember feeling apprehensive throughout but ELBA made it clear there was no reason to be! They made us feel at ease and comfortable, leading it to be the best, yet most challenging, process I had ever experienced. I was successful all the way through and gained a placement at EY, one of the top four accounting firms in the world.
Before the placement I had 3 week pre-placement training, placed with other successful candidates. It consisted of group exercises with presentations and a volunteer day at Shoreditch Adventure Playground, project management training at a weekend residential at Ashridge Business School, and many other useful workshops and sessions such as Excel, Outlook and Public Speaking with National Theatre. It was an incredible amount of fun with the other candidates who have become my Eagle family! At the end, I felt more confident and ready to begin my placement and understood the importance of the training.
We still have recall days (a chance to catch-up with the other Eagles too!) consisting of LinkedIn training and also a Morrisby test. ELBA have supported me throughout my placement with regular messages and emails as well as half-way meetings with Sally Roberts and my managers. They also provided me with a mentor from ELBA who has provided me with insight and direction with the use of bi-weekly meetings.
I am now in my 6th month here at EY working for the Talent Team. The amount of support and guidance I have been given is incredible! I work for the Performance and Reward team mainly helping and supporting Partner programmes and other Partner activities. I have been given endless opportunities by my amazing team who have always helped me achieve throughout and making me feel valued, also via my own counsellor supporting me here at EY.
I look forward to my future at EY and thank everyone at ELBA for the amazing opportunity and making me realise that what may feel impossible, can be possible!
Written by Salma Begum
