Our Long Term Outcomes: Amina

Amina graduated from the Envision Programme in 2015 and now works as a Customer Solutions Account Manager (CSAM) at Motability Operations, one of our corporate partners in Bristol. She recently participated in a mentoring session at MO offices, where she spoke with current Envision students about her experiences. She highlighted how the skills she developed during the programme have played a crucial role in her personal and professional journey.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your current role at Motability?

My name is Amina, and I attended Colston Girls’ Sixth Form, where I participated in the Envision Programme. Currently, I work as a Customer Solutions Account Manager at Motability Operations. My role involves managing complex cases and customer complaints, finding the best solutions for them. It requires a lot of problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and empathy.

What was your project about during the Envision Programme?

Our group focused on raising awareness about Islamophobia. We chose this topic because many of our team members had personal experiences with discrimination and wanted to create positive change. To do this, we organised an awareness event with over 60 attendees and created a social media page to educate the public.

We also conducted workshops in our school to gather and share experiences, which culminated in a school assembly. We presented our findings, educational materials, and hosted a guest speaker to raise awareness about the issue. The project required us to develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and determination.

How have you applied these skills in your career?

The skills I developed during the programme have become an integral part of my daily work at Motability. Empathy allows me to understand customer challenges and provide better solutions, while teamwork helps me collaborate effectively with colleagues on projects and complex cases. Strong communication skills enable me to interact with customers, dealerships, and scheme partners to find resolutions, and problem-solving ensures I can think creatively to address customer complaints and negotiate outcomes. Leadership plays a key role as I take ownership of projects and contribute to improving departmental processes, while organisation helps me manage my daily tasks, cases, presentations, and project work efficiently. Each of these skills, honed during my time in the Envision Programme, continues to shape my professional growth.

Did the programme help you in your academic and professional journey?

Absolutely. The Envision Programme was a turning point for me, especially in terms of gaining confidence in public speaking. Before the programme, I was quite shy and nervous about speaking in front of an audience. Presenting our project to our school and over 60 members of the public was a significant challenge, but it gave me a boost of confidence.

The skills I developed have continued to grow at every stage of my academic and professional journey. Even though my university degree in human anatomy is quite different from my current role, the skills I gained in problem-solving, communication, and data analysis have all been invaluable.

Are you still in touch with your Envision team?

Yes, I am! We were classmates as well, and the programme helped us form a strong bond. Our team, called “Unveiled” as a play on words related to our topic, worked closely together throughout the project. We supported each other in developing our skills and continue to stay in touch today.

Final thoughts?

The Envision Programme had a profound impact on my confidence and skill development. It set the foundation for my professional growth and helped me realise the importance of skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. For anyone currently going through the programme, I’d say: embrace the challenges, push yourself out of your comfort zone, and make the most of the experience – it will benefit you more than you realise!