Page 63 - Future Leaders Magazine

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

GEORGE IMAFIDON, 20GE IMAFIDON, 20
GEOR
Q
Quali cations Final year, BEng in Mechanical Engineering, uali cations
University College London
University College London
A t Motivez, the company I co-founded, we engaged in a highly competitive
Apre-accelerator programme for three months with Kickstart London. This
exposure propelled us to better understand our niche and raise more capital.
8 Consequently, we pivoted to have a core focus on high-quality self-
development for young people. Since last year, Motivez has seen a 35 per
cent increase in monthly activity with over 2,000 active users on our iOS
platform. By December, we will have spoken at over 15 institutions across
the country and created more than 20 partnerships with in uential event
organisers. Alongside my successes with Motivez, I have been listed as
one of the UK’s Top 10 Black Students and won the prestigious Engineering
Leaders Scholarship worth £5,000 from the Royal Academy of Engineering.
The top universities are desperate for diverse talent and we are the future. Keep your
The top universities are desperate for diverse talent and we are the future. Keep your
standards high and upskill. As you study, leave your mark and focus on your legacy.
standards high and upskill. As you study, leave your mark and focus on your legacy.

TOPE MATTI, 22

Quali cations MSci in Mathematics, University
of Nottingham

ooking back over the last year, it has been quite a rollercoaster. My career
Laspirations completely ipped on their head as I spent time thinking
about what I really wanted to do – teaching. Initially I thought it was
something I wanted to do in 30 years, but why wait. In addition to that,
since moving away from London I have made the decision to take a 9
backseat in the Beautylocks Hair business and spend time developing
other business ideas. Over the course of the year, I have learnt not to
be scared to take risks and to chase the things I am passionate about.
To any young person thinking about attending university, it is a risk worth
taking. It is much more than attending lectures and writing a dissertation.
The most valuable things for me were the experiences that helped to shape
me as a person. Until you get out into the working world, you don’t realise how
useful the skills you learn through these experiences can be.

ZAINAB AINAB
Z
KW
KWAW-SWANZY, 24AW-SWANZY, 24
Q
Quali cation BSc in Economics and Econometrics, uali cation
University of Bristol
University of Bristol

t was easy to feel overwhelmed at university. I was surrounded by thousands of
10 career opportunities. I began to worry about how I could stand out. My experience
Istudents, all working towards getting the best exam scores and securing the most
with the Future Leaders magazine helped me to overcome this. Becoming a Future
Leader forced me to re ect on my life. What had I achieved? What mistakes
had I made? What had I learnt from them? It gave me a chance to recognise and
celebrate how much I’ve grown and developed. After graduating, I accepted a
place on a two-year Barclays graduate scheme. This gives me the opportunity
to work in teams across di erent sectors. One highlight has been shaping a new
approach towards how Barclays engages with graduates. This year I have also mentored
approach towards how Barclays engages with graduates. This year I have also mentored
two Year 12 students who are interested in studying Maths at university.
two Year 12 students who are interested in studying Maths at university.

2017-18 | FUTURE LEADERS 61