Two minutes with…Faith Imoekor
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Faith Imoekor. I go to Westminster City School, and I study mathematics, business, and psychology. On Saturdays I dedicate my time to tutoring primary school children and occasionally secondary school children in mathematics. I am ethnically Nigerian (specifically the Edo tribe), and in my free time I enjoy creative pastimes such as cooking, doing hair and nails, and acting. I also enjoy keeping active by going to the gym and playing netball.
Why did you choose to do your work experience here at MRM?
I chose to do my work experience at MRM after having the opportunity of meeting with the guest speakers from its education programme who represented diverse areas of the financial services industry, from fintech and financial planning, to wholesale investing and specialist lending, as well as within financial journalism, too.
Hearing them tell us the different ways that they started their careers really showed the variety of routes into the industry. Their ambition, and the discipline it took them to get where they were today, really resonated with me.
I also wanted to have the opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge and insight into what it is really like work in this sector.
What did you take away from your time here at MRM
At MRM I did a lot of research and admin support, including collating data on upcoming events to create calendars of interest.
This involved sifting through hundreds of scheduled events and finding those that were relevant to the company, clients and contacts. This taught me the importance of producing accurate work and having the confidence to ask my MRM buddies Ria and Henry, who oversaw my work during the experience, for help.
This was a key takeaway, as it taught me struggling on your own doesn’t just cause you unnecessary stress, but can lead to disappointment and mistakes if you go down the wrong route.
It also taught me the power of working as a team, as various inputs could lead you to seeing things from a different perspective.
During my time at MRM, I have also gained valuable insight into how marketing strategies are shaped by data, creativity and audience needs, along with practical skills in organization and time management.
In addition, I’ve also learned the importance of putting your all into every task you’ve given, because doing so not only helps support your team but also shows your commitment to doing a fulfilling job and can open opportunities for the future.
What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is my resilience, especially as someone who’s experienced mental health struggles. I’m proud that I always pick myself back up and don’t let situations define me as I work to build a legacy for myself.
Moreover, this academic year I’m proud of coming out my shell and taking opportunities that remove me from my comfort zone, even if it’s just about helping to build my confidence.
In addition, I’m proud of balancing my first job whilst at school, quickly understanding that the children I tutor look up to me as a role model. I’ve learned how to work with them in a way that encourages, inspires and creates a safe space for them.
Do you think it’s important for young people to learn about the importance of money and if so, why?
I unequivocally believe that it is important for young people to learn the importance of money. In fact, I believe basic financial literacy should be taught at school as not every child will have people in their lives who teach them how to wisely operate with money.
Educating people about money early in life helps build independence and prepare for future goals. It also encourages good habits like saving, budgeting and planning, which are essential in today’s fast-changing world, and could help avoid people getting into debt.
Learning these lessons young means you’re better equipped to handle financial challenges and make choices that create stability and opportunities later in life.
What do you think financial services PR is?
From my time at MRM, I’ve gathered that financial services PR is about shaping a company’s brand and communicating its message effectively to the business audiences it wants to reach.
I’ve learned about the importance of forming human relations and addressing matters that people are worried about, as it builds trust to have someone who cares about their financial worries, challenges and aspirations.
What are your future life/career goals?
My goal is to build a life full of wealth, not just financially, but also in love, health and care. One day I would love to become an entrepreneur in diversified sectors such as entertainment, beauty and property.
In addition, I would want to work in insurance after being inspired by Cavendish Online’s CEO Rose St Louis who was a speaker during MRM’s education programme. A question came up where a student asked Rose what made her choose insurance out of all areas of finance, suggesting it was boring, and in a nutshell, Rose answered, “the fulfillment of knowing you are able to financially support people who are in awful situations and making an impact on people’s lives.”
This really resonated with me, as previously I wasn’t sure if financial services would allow me to make an impact in people’s lives for the better, which has always been important to me.
Most importantly, though, I want to be in a position where I can give to people as, in a world where you can be anything, it is important to be kind.