Prioritise, persist and grow: top tips from our first event for early-career professionals
We recently kicked off Now What?, part of our Catalyst Connects programme, designed to support early-career Black female professionals facing big career questions. If you’re a university student or a few years into your career and ready to tackle your next career move, Catalyst Connects is for you! Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to hear about our next event. Our first event — I’ve Graduated… Now What? — featured two inspiring voices: Cindy Abu of Brentford FC, an early-career professional, and Carolyn Beckford Balogun, an experienced Career Coach and Consultant at Totum Partners. Together, they shared bold, practical tips for navigating career crossroads and creating your own path. Here are five top takeaways: 1. Put Yourself First Cindy shared her journey of wanting a career in sports—a path she knew she was passionate about. Sometimes, even close friends and family don’t fully understand our career choices, but if it’s truly important to you, prioritise your dreams and take the leap. 2. Find the value in each experience In breaking into the competitive football industry, Cindy initially shifted to rugby to build crucial skills in safeguarding This experience ultimately led to her player welfare role in football at a Premier League club. Her advice? Take paths that build relevant skills, even if they seem unconventional—every step counts. 3. Turn setbacks into stepping stones Building on Cindy’s experience, one attendee asked how to approach roles where they might feel overqualified. For instance, if you have a master’s degree and aspire to be a producer but are only offered a runner position—doing tasks like making teas and coffees on set—what should you do?Carolyn explained the importance of viewing each role as an opportunity to gain experience and demonstrate your commitment. Use these positions to learn and adapt, knowing they are stepping stones to your future success. Remember, it’s not forever; it’s simply a way to get your foot in the door. 4. Don’t be afraid to ask Carolyn’s advice: if you’re curious about a field, reach out to people already in it. People often love talking about their journeys, so don’t hesitate to ask questions on LinkedIn or in person. Curiosity and initiative can go a long way. 5. Always follow up Following up turns an introduction into a relationship. Carolyn highlighted how simple follow-ups—whether reaching out on LinkedIn after meeting someone at an event or asking for feedback post-interview—can create meaningful relationships. Taking the initiative shows your commitment, and people genuinely appreciate it. Remember: a follow-up can turn a “no” into a “not yet” and provide you with the insights you need to move forward. Let these tips help guide your next move, and remember: your career journey is yours to shape.
From Mentee to Medicine!
Ernesta was part of our 2021 pilot cohort. We met her through Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy, one of our brilliant partner schools. Recently we got in touch with Ernesta to hear about her experiences working with her mentor, Nikita, and how the programme has helped her over the long term. A key foundation of a Catalyst mentoring relationship is that pairs develop SMART goals to work on throughout the year. On the programme, Ernesta was focused on improving her organisation. “When I started mentoring I was revising for my GCSE’s and struggling with organisation skills, which made revision difficult. Additionally, I was also preparing for boarding school and I knew that my lack of organisation would make this transition into boarding school difficult for me. So organisation became one of my main goals to ease the revision process and my transition into boarding school.” In working on her SMART goals, Ernesta really appreciated having someone to keep her accountable. “Regular check-ins helped me to keep focused on my goals. I also had mini goals that I would try to achieve between our check ins which helped me to make steady progress towards my bigger goals. If I wasn’t able to meet these mini goals [Nikita] would help me to figure out where I went wrong so that when I was approaching the goal again I had a better game plan in mind.” The mentoring pair developed a supportive and empowering mentoring relationship, with Ernesta remarking “I appreciated how invested Nikita was in my progress. It was like we were on a journey together, so whenever a goal was achieved, it felt like we achieved it together which made celebrations more meaningful!” After completing the programme, Ernesta made a successful transition to boarding school, commenting that “it was an amazing experience.” She found that the lessons she had learnt during mentoring were invaluable to her as she continued her academic journey. “One of the biggest lessons I learnt with my mentor was the importance of being kind to myself through taking breaks. In the past I would often ignore the importance of giving myself a chance to recharge which caused burn out. My mentor helped me to find activities that would give me a break from school work. Once I incorporated these into my schedule I noticed that I wouldn’t be burn out anymore which really helped to persevere with revision so that I could get better results.” Ernesta is currently enjoying the last month of her gap year before she starts university in September. She’ll be studying Medicine at University of Leicester. She would encourage others to “take full advantage” of the Catalyst programme, because it’s an “opportunity to get advice from wonderful people that have already been through a path similar to the one that you are going to take.” She also sees the value of the wider Catalyst network, explaining that, through getting to know other mentors and mentees on the programme, “you could end up benefiting from what [they] have also learnt.” Ernesta loved getting the opportunity to network at the end of year celebration, where she was also able to reflect on her growth throughout a year of mentoring. On her overall reflections on mentoring, Ernesta shared that “Mentoring gave me a really big confidence boost. It was one of the first times I decided to think about the goals that I wanted to achieve. So when I was able to achieve these goals it really gave me confidence that if I put my goals down on paper and make a loose plan for myself then I can always work towards my goals.”
Law Insight Day at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
In October 2023, aspiring lawyers from across our mentoring programmes visited Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. The day was meticulously organised, featuring a series of engaging sessions designed to offer insights into the daily life of a lawyer. A huge thank you to Clemmie and the team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors for hosting us. Here’s how two Catalyst mentees, Jemimah and Britnel, found the day: Jemimah, Year 12 Visiting Irwin Mitchell Solicitors was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the world of law and left me inspired for the future. I signed up for the Irwin Mitchell Insight Day for a few reasons. I wanted to: 1. Immerse myself in a legal workplace. 2. Learn more about different routes into and roles available within a law firm. 3. Understand what a day in the life of a law firm looks like. Most importantly, I wanted to use this experience as a test to determine if law was my true calling! One highlight of the day was participating in a riveting debate on the regulation of and issues surrounding e-scooters. For the debate, we had to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to come up with points in favour or against the motion. I loved working collaboratively with my team, confidently presenting our ideas and arguments. Though the verdict was a draw, I’m convinced my team won! Another highlight was listening to a presentation by Angela Jackman KC, Partner at Irwin Mitchell and Windrush generation descendant who has achieved remarkable success in the legal field despite facing countless challenges. Her story was truly inspiring and I’m grateful to the Catalyst Collective for the opportunity to meet such an amazing woman! What did I learn from my time at Irwin Mitchell? One key takeaway was the flexibility and benefits of apprenticeships, which combine real work experience with theoretical learning at a local university. The revelation that apprenticeships allow you to make money without accumulating student loan debt and while gaining qualified lawyer status was enlightening. Hearing from current apprentices shattered myths and answered questions I’ve always had about doing an apprenticeship. As a result of this experience, I’m motivated to seek more work experience opportunities and explore both university and apprenticeship options. My trip to Irwin Mitchell has left me with a newfound determination to pursue my dreams. Whether that’s in law or another field, I can’t wait to see where the path ahead takes me. Britnel, Year 12 As I plan to pursue a career in the law in future, visiting Irwin Mitchell Solicitors seemed like a great place to start and it definitely lived up to expectations! At Irwin Mitchell, we met a number of talented employees including young people on their apprenticeship scheme. Through speaking with them, many of us came away inspired to seriously consider the option of apprenticeships. After going on a tour of the offices, we heard from solicitors from the human rights and financial departments about how their lives have been transformed working here. We also took part in a lively debate about whether e-scooters should be banned – leaving debaters on both sides curious to find out more! What stuck with me personally was an employee sharing her experience of handling an inquest and other cases. Another memorable moment was when another employee recounted how she successfully advocated in court for a Black boy to be able to wear cornrows at secondary school in Harrow. What an achievement! I learned a lot from my time at Irwin Mitchell. One thing I’m taking away from the experience is that even if you’re feeling unsure about your future, there’s always an end goal. It’s ok if things don’t always go as planned – sometimes a change in can lead to something better. Overall, visiting Irwin Mitchell reinforced that I do want to study law in the future and hopefully working there one day will be an option. Thank you so much Irwin Mitchell for having us!
Meet our mentoring pairs: Sade and Abigail
A few months ago, we caught up with Abigail and Sade, a brilliant mentoring pair from the 2021-22 cohort. Abigail is now a Year 12 student, and Sade is a Clinical Psychologist. “The most unique part of our relationship is how well matched we are in terms of our interests. We get on really well. It’s a testament to the Catalyst matching process and the effort we have put into getting to know each other.” Sade is a clinical psychologist, working in forensic mental health. Determined that other Black women will not face the same lack of representation that she has, she decided to become a mentor with the Catalyst. “I’ve made it my business to find other Black psychologists, and to encourage the next generation.” Last academic year, Sade mentored Abigail, a year 11 student interested in the field of criminal psychology. For Abigail, mentoring proved a good way to occupy her time, and helped her to gain an insight into her chosen career path, from the valuable perspective of another Black woman. Abigail has always felt comfortable talking to her mentor: “It has been what I expected, and more. She is always motivating me and it makes me want to work harder.” As a pair, Sade and Abigail worked towards a number of goals together. One of these was to broaden Abigail’s knowledge of psychology. “Our last session was my favourite so far. I was learning more about Sade’s journey in her career.” The pair also discussed study tips so Abigail can obtain her desired grades for college, and worked on Abigail’s personal statement for university. Sade recognises that mentoring is not just a one way street. “It is such an enriching experience on both ends. I’ve gained so much and I have learnt about myself.” Seeing her mentee’s drive and commitment motivated Sade in her own life: “Abigail is such an inspiring young woman. I appreciate how open she has been about what she wants to achieve. It’s really lovely to see at such a young age.” Despite the busyness of school and work, both Sade and Abigail believe that mentoring is worth prioritising. They worked together to find a good rhythm in their meetings, through maintaining communication and being understanding when challenges come up. This pair are a wonderful example of the ethos of the Catalyst, a place where Black women support and uplift one another. But their story started long before they met one another. Sade explained that her great-grandmother is the person who most inspires her. “She is 93 and the matriarch of my family. She came here from Jamaica and built a life for her family. She inspired me to be a strong independent black woman, and this message has filtered through the generations.” “For me,” Abigail shares, “it is my mum. She has overcome so much. She is the only Black woman on her team at work, but she doesn’t let that get in the way of anything.” And in terms of words of wisdom for the incoming cohort, their advice was to “Go for it!” Sade would encourage members to embrace the valuable connection they are making, and to have fun with it. And Abigail, speaking to the mentees says, “Don’t be shy. Be comfortable with your mentor. I have learnt that there is always someone there who can guide you.”
Diary of a Future Doctor: My Catalyst Work Experience!
This month’s blog was written by aspiring doctor and Catalyst collective mentee Caitlyn. Caitlyn shares her experience on work placement in a doctor’s surgery that was arranged by her mentor Judith. As aspiring medical students, we are constantly reminded of the importance of work experience. We are told how it will allow us to gain a personal insight into our future profession and how important it is for our personal statements. Through The Catalyst Collective, I met my lovely mentor Judith and thankfully she was able to provide me with work experience at her GP Surgery. On the first day of placement, I established that the surgery has many different roles that work together to ensure an efficient and smooth working environment. I worked and shadowed a wide range of jobs from receptionists to doctors. Whilst working in the reception I used computer software to log repeat prescriptions. This required me to be vigilant and alert as I had to distinguish between different medications and ensure that the correct requests were put through for the patients. From this, I learned that the surgery is a working system that relies on every person to complete their roles to the best of their abilities. It is important to acknowledge everyone’s role and work as a team to ensure that there is optimal functioning and that all the patients’ needs are met. I was also able to work with a social prescriber; where we discussed mental health inpatients and how social activities could benefit their physical and mental wellbeing. Although many patients come in with physical symptoms there may be underlying psychological or social issues that are consequently affecting their health. From a doctor’s point of view, it is important to know your limits when it comes to treating patients. By referring a patient to a social prescriber, it allows us to gain more information about things we may not be well informed about and reach a justified conclusion with others for proceeding with treatment. As I want to become a doctor, the most inspiring part of my work experience was shadowing one. I was able to do some home visits where I met and assessed a wide range of patients with various issues and helped administer treatment to manage symptoms from home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most appointments were via telephone and doctors had to ensure that the patients’ health was prioritised despite not being able to see them face-to-face. Judith taught me that a good level of understanding for your patients is required to spread good and clear public health advice. Shadowing my mentor Judith was AMAZING, seeing an educated, talented black woman in the medical field inspired me further to pursue my dreams. It was nice to see a visual representation of what my future may look like as a doctor.
