I am very proud and grateful to be working for a company which focuses on youth development, which is extremely important in today’s society, and it is not something that many companies focus on. FNB really prioritizes the needs of its graduates and always encourages them to be bold, ambitious, think innovatively, be a problem-solver and a go-getter. FNB ensures that its graduates are exposed to a variety of virtual/in-person events, such as meeting some of their executives and having knowledge sharing sessions. This allows the graduates to have some networking time with the speakers and learn how to advance their careers, based on the advice shared by the speakers. Hence, personal and professional development is prioritized for the graduates, making this journey an enjoyable learning experience. I love the FNB culture and there are always colleagues who are willing to help in a time of need.
As part of the graduate program, the Networking Company also played a crucial role in the personal and professional development of the graduates. I was both excited and nervous when I joined the graduate program at the beginning of the year (it is only natural to have mixed emotions). The Networking Company has been a catalyst in my adaptation process to this new working experience, and I can gladly say that I am not the same person who joined the program earlier in the year. I am now more confident in myself and mindful about the world of work. Amongst the several insightful modules offered by the Networking Company, the modules ‘Personal Branding & Networking’, ‘Mindfulness’ and ‘Career Management’ were my favourite.

The ‘Personal Branding & Networking’ session motivated me to step out of my comfort zone, take initiative, be relevant, be an active communicator and stay curious. By following the lessons learnt in this module, I feel that I have improved my personal brand and networking skills, which allowed me to be involved in exciting projects in my team. The ‘Mindfulness’ session has emphasized the importance of being resilient and also having a good work-life balance. The ‘Career Management’ session has highlighted the importance of having a plan for the future, setting goals and having mentors/career coaches which will help in getting the graduates to their desired career level. There is still more to learn in the business, and having this training is beneficial to me as the knowledge gained will ensure my prosperity in the business. With all the opportunities available at FNB, the graduate program and all of its training programs, have equipped me with the necessary knowledge and expertise that a young professional should possess. This will allow me to advance in my career and take advantage of the opportunities that FNB has to offer.