I am a Psychology/Business graduate who completed a graduate scheme in the banking sector and am still there working in a DEI role. Before I ever got near banking, I’d worked in all sorts of places: hospitality, education, healthcare as a clinical administrator and even a library. I spent a long time trying things out and figuring out what motivated me. None of it felt wasted. Each job taught me something different about people, workplaces and myself.
By 2022, two years after graduating, I knew I wanted an actual career, even if I still wasn’t sure what in. I applied for around 80 jobs that year and the Lloyds rotational graduate scheme was the one that finally opened a door. Banking had never felt like a natural fit, but once I joined I realised the sector is far broader than I expected. Even a bank needs people who understand culture, behaviour and the psychology of work, which helped me see where my interests could sit.
My path wasn’t straight once I arrived either. I studied for a qualification (‘CIMA’) while working, moved teams, tried new responsibilities and sometimes realised the thing I thought I wanted wasn’t quite right. Those moments were uncomfortable, but they taught me to pivot instead of clinging to a plan out of pride. I also grew outside work by becoming a board member at a charity, which stretched my understanding of leadership and impact in a different way.
All of this led me towards roles focused on people, equity and culture. That brought me to my current job as a Culture and Engagement Manager, which I’ve learnt a lot from, though not for long because I’m about to try something new again. In some ways I’m lucky I don’t know exactly what I want to be when I grow up. It keeps me curious, even if it can feel frustrating at times.
If I could go back in time, I’d tell my younger self not to rush the answer. Try things, pay attention to what feels right and know that every experience will teach you something. Don’t be afraid to step sideways and choose roles you enjoy. You’ll spend too many hours at work not to.
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