How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Consultant At Deloitte's Career
Fahim's experience as a first-generation, low-income college student significantly impacted career navigation, requiring "working extra hard" to secure paid opportunities and actively seeking advice from others who had similar experiences. This proactive approach, including leveraging programs like the one providing "three months of free housing," ultimately led to success, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness and networking in overcoming systemic barriers.
Overcoming Challenges, Networking, Resourcefulness, Mentorship, Financial Planning
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Fahim Badal
Senior Consultant
Deloitte
UCLA
N//A
Political Science, American Studies
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Finance
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. He worked hard to secure paid internships due to a lack of resources for unpaid opportunities.
2. He actively networked with others, seeking advice and leveraging programs designed for first-generation college students.
3. He utilized a program for first-generation students which provided him with three months of free housing and facilitated access to a paid internship, ultimately leading to his first job.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a first-generation college student, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
I think it's definitely added layers to help navigate through. As a first-generation, low-income student, I didn't really have the resources to go for internships that other people could, mostly because they're unpaid.
This makes it difficult to navigate through the traditional channels that people go through. But what I did was, I worked extra hard to secure paid opportunities and asked people who had gone through similar steps. I asked about internships, experience, and programs.
When I first moved to DC, I joined a program for first-generation students and got three months of free housing. This was because someone had told me about the program and helped me find a paid internship, which then helped me get my first job.
I think it's just about utilizing your resources. There is something I have to do more of, but it ended with a great result. It's all about navigating through the obstacles and talking to people who have already gone through this.