This week was a great opportunity for self-reflection, as I took a closer look at my strengths and weaknesses. With more design projects on my plate, I felt a sense of flexibility and growth, becoming more well-rounded in my skills. A lunchtime chat with a colleague really stuck with me; she emphasized the importance of adaptability and being able to tackle whatever tasks come your way. 

I was also really excited for my first in-person event with the Opportunity Bank team! At first, it was a bit nerve-wracking since most attendees were around my age, and I found myself giving instructions here and there. However, once I started to also interact with the attendees myself, it was nice as I got to know the youths better. The event was a capacity-building workshop in collaboration with Barclays, aimed at helping ethnic minority youths develop the practical skills needed to secure job offers. 

One of the highlights was the public speaking segment—one youth delivered an incredible speech that truly captivated the audience. It felt so rewarding to finally participate in an event after spending so much time preparing for the impact report, and learning about their work. While I had a solid understanding of our initiatives, nothing compares to being there in person and witnessing the impact firsthand. It was definitely rewarding to see the youths enjoying the event and finishing the day with new skills and networking with other peers. I am aware that there are more in-person events with other target groups in the coming week, so I can’t wait to interact and hear stories from more people!