How did you get into your current career? How would you describe your career journey?

So, I always had an idea of what I wanted to do. Growing up, I liked the idea of business (I grew up with a trader, lol), and I was good with numbers: I knew that my career options were finance, accounting, banking and anything relating to commerce. As I grew older and started to conduct more research, I decided it would be cool to work in the banking industry someday, particularly in investment banking.

During my NYSC year, I got my first major role as an advisory staff in an investment bank.  I worked with a boss who took an interest in my career growth. She always encouraged me to identify skills gaps and improve my skills. Her drilling helped me realise I needed to hone my data analytics, public speaking, and presentation skills. I had also started to consider a career in the consulting space, so I knew I needed to work on these skills. 

I started looking for training schools to improve my data analytical skills and eventually discovered Utiva. Before then, I had watched random online videos, but I needed a more structured learning programme. So, I took my NYSC allowance and paid for the Utiva data training. While taking the programme, I also took courses to help me improve my public speaking and presentation skills.

After this, I landed a graduate trainee role in Greenwich (which was solely an investment banking company at the time). I worked in the investment banking space, and after working for three months, I realised I didn’t want it anymore. I finally discovered consulting was actually best for me.

That is an interesting journey. Why did you feel the need to work on your data analysis skill at that point in your career?

I knew that my current skillset did not align with the goals I had in mind. The people in my life also played an impact. My boss, for instance, often asked questions like: What do you see yourself doing, and how do you intend to achieve your goals? These questions helped me realize that although I wanted a career in either investment banking or consulting, my skills at the time couldn't take me to any of my dream careers. I also asked people about the skills needed to excel in investment banking or consulting; the responses I got were related to interpersonal skills, analytical skills, presentation skills and public speaking.

Many people believe skills like data analysis are for people in core tech roles; you were not in a tech role, so how would you say that acquiring that skill was valuable to you?

That knowledge helped me move to the next phase of my career in multiple ways. It gave me an edge over my peers; it drew people to me as people would always reach out to me to ask for help with analytical tasks; it also opened job opportunities for me because people could see that other than domain knowledge, I had analytical skills. By the time I moved to a new role, certain tasks were easy for me to handle because of the analytical knowledge I had gained.

What are your thoughts about tech skills in a non-tech role? 

A tech skill is a good addition to your skill set. It gives you an edge, it gives you access to places and relationships, and it can give you a different perspective on your responsibilities. It can also be a defining factor. I have a lawyer friend that went for an interview. She had data analytics skills, and although it wasn’t a requirement for the role, it was an added value. It piqued the interviewers' interest, and she eventually got the job. If a person is looking to land a job opportunity, having this skill can be a deciding factor for the decision-makers.

What is next for you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I want to be known as a problem solver in whatever field or industry I find myself. I have always wanted to be a person that adds value wherever I go, and I hope to accumulate the required skills and knowledge I need to be that person, five years from now.

Final words?

Be intentional about yourself. 

Some time ago, I had a conversation about intentionality with my best friend; we were discussing how important intentionality is in this fast-paced world. You can’t afford to be complacent about your goals and dreams. If you need relationships, build them. If you need skills, get them; do whatever it takes. Just be intentional about everything relating to yourself, even your relationship with God. 

Also, be a person of value, don’t just take from people; give as well.

Abisola is a Strategy Analyst who has worked across major business units such as Investment Banking, Risk and Research. She is a personal and career development advocate who is passionate about helping individuals take their personal finance to the next level and reach the apex of not just their career and personal goals but also their financial goals.

She currently leads a community of over 1,500 people called - #TheOurCommunity tailored towards helping people become their best version.