Success NextDoor
"Working hard and never giving up always pays off in the end"
Shakir Sayed was born and raised in Tower Hamlets and studied his undergraduate degree at the University of Westminster.
Now in his mid 20’s he works as an employment project co-ordinator for the East London Business Alliance (ELBA), a leading East London regeneration agency.
I first became acquainted with ELBA by taking part in their first ever Community Affairs Trainee scheme or CATS as it is commonly referred to, which is now running in its third year.
The trainee scheme was targeted at local graduates and lasted 12 months. The first two months where based at ELBA undertaking rigorous training, and the remainder was spent within a Community Affairs department of a corporate company.
Put simply Community Affairs is a department dedicated to giving something back to the community, with the majority of large institutions having this kind of department.
The training and lengthy assessments were not always easy but it was preparing me for the world of work. It improved my employment skills and helped me to become a more confident person.
Whilst halfway through the scheme I received my university results. Unfortunately, I did not receive the grade that I had hoped for. I had failed one of my modules and I needed to take it again if I was to graduate with my degree. I was no longer a so called ‘graduate’, which had left me facing a dilemma.
I deliberated long and hard about what to do. Should I tell ELBA about my results or keep quiet? In the end I decided to come clean and I’m glad I did.
ELBA and I came to an agreement. I would have a day’s leave from my host company over five months so that I could complete my degree which I did.
At the end of the scheme an opportunity arose at ELBA. Within months of being an administrator for the employment team, I was promoted to an employment project coordinator. This role allows me to help other young people overcome their barriers into work. I am now responsible for coordinating employment insight tours and developing/delivering training to jobseekers in Tower Hamlets.
My advice to you is to be open minded and to apply to as many trainee schemes as possible, the CAT scheme really opened doors for me. I would also say that working hard and never giving up always pays off in the end.