Tuesday, February 27, 2007

 

Permanent job

Bear with me on this entry, it might be a long one since I haven’t blogged in ages. To those of you still out there reading our World of Work 2006 blogs, a big hi to all.

I haven’t blogged since September, but to try and make a long story short, things have been going very well in the past few months. My contract at RMB was once again extended in December 2006 for another six months. My supervisors, Michele and Taryn, also gave me the opportunity to go and look for other positions in the Bank which could be permanent instead of contract. Many colleagues, with whom I’ve become good friends, have helped me with the process of looking for another position by referring me to certain people or just generally giving me sound advice. It all paid off and I was referred to the Treasury department of the Bank. They were looking for a Political Risk Analyst. Mid-January I had an interview, and within a week I was told I was qualified for the position and my letter of appointment was set up. Sign, sealed, delivered.

I have learnt so many things the past 10 months. I have enjoyed every minute of working with my team and, even though I’m nervous of moving into a new team, I am very excited to broaden my network and learning new things. I would also like to comment on the generosity I have experienced while working at RMB. If it wasn’t for the help of my colleagues, especially my team and the great opportunities they gave me, I would not have been in the position I am now. It’s amazing to know that there are people out there rooting for you and hoping you will make a great success of your life. I am very excited to be a full-time employee at RMB. It has definitely lived up to its name of being the preferred employer.

It has almost been a year since I started the World of Work 2006 training programme, and it has definitely paid off to do the course. I got into an internship with the help of the programme, and even though I started off doing a job I didn’t understand and didn’t study, I ended up exactly where I wanted to be: Politics. It’s like they say, getting that foot in the door can help immensely. Good luck to those starting the training programme this year. It is well worth it.

Comments:
Hi Celeste

What a great pleasure it is to read your post. Well done Celeste.

There’s been very little magic in your journey to this job. Those who were with you on the World of Work Programmes in 2006 will agree, and even those who don’t know you and have only been tracking you through your blog entries will be able to see:

It has been your attitude that has made you so very employable. Your attitude has been right on target and consistent since you joined RMB as an intern (of course there is all the stuff that the word “attitude” heads up, like enthusiasm, commitment, energy, flexibility, willingness to learn etc etc etc, - I’m not going to list them all – your peers know exactly where I am coming from).

Yoliswa is of the same stuff – she has just had her contract extended for a few years. But I’ll try not steal her thunder. I’m hoping she will also tell about her success at this weblog.

What does a political risk analyst actually DO every day? Can you give the nuts and bolts of it, please? I’m sure there are postgrad students who have been tracking your development and are keen to follow your blazing trail. So tell what you do from 8 to 5. Do you ‘do’ lunch every day with Very Important People? (hee hee) Or maybe you will now be going on fantastic trips around the world (e.g. to Ghana to visit our own Cyrille who is working there now)?

You mention a new team. Of other political risk analysts, I assume. Do they have the same academic background as you? What is the typical qualification for this kind of job? Honours in International Relations?

Very proud, Celeste, very proud.

Lesley
 
Lesley, I so enjoy reading your comments. Its always positive and encouraging. Thanks for taking the time to give your input. You will find that my next blog entry will explain all of your questions.

I'm very excited for the new trainees to start. And I'm sure they are very nervous, but there is no need to be. Try filter everything in and make most of your blogging opportunities. It helps immensely.

Thanks again Lesley.

Regards

Celeste
 
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