STUDENT VIEW

JOSEPHAT LOAMBO HAD NO DIRECT FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE WHEN SHE EMBARKED ON HER MASTERS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. SHE TOOK SECOND PLACE IN THE NATIONAL FINAL OF THE CISI EDUCATIONAL TRUST AWARD SCHEME, HAVING WON HER REGIONAL HEAT AT LJMU.

Josephat graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Business Management before taking an internship back home in the Congo for 12 months. “I was attracted to LJMU by the opportunity to specialise in the financial sector,” she explains. “I found the course a little stressful at first due to my lack of previous knowledge but my confidence soon grew thanks to the support of my tutors and my peers.” When Josephat was introduced to Bloomberg towards the start of her course she knew that it would be a life-changing experience. “I’ll never forget learning all about Bloomberg and starting to work with investments,” she smiles. “I really enjoyed navigating the system and gaining a better understanding of the market. As I started to see my investments working I came to truly understand that hard work really does pay off and that gave me a real boost.” Making a profit of £3,000 at the end of the investment period, Josephat then had to present her findings to the assessment team and was chosen as the regional winner. A 400 word essay on ‘Green Finance’ followed before she was named as one of the five top students in the country. “In the final stage of the competition, I attended an interview at the CISI headquarters in London and then a lunch with the Chairman,” she smiles. “During the lunch I was able to learn about the organisation’s future projects and shared some of my objectives for the coming 12 months. I explained to the CEO how beneficial it would be for the CISI to provide their qualification in Congo. His response was very inspiring and optimistic as he explained they were now providing qualifications in Morocco, in my native language.” Josephat obviously made a great impression on the CEO and his team as, at the end of the day, she was awarded second place in the competition and received a cheque for £2,000. “It was an amazing day and a fabulous outcome,” smiles Josephat. “It has really set me up for my future career.” Wanting to work as a Chartered Wealth Manager, Josephat would like to launch her career in the UK. “Long term I want to return to the Congo,” she says. “I need to establish myself first though and would love to stay in Liverpool as I am really happy here. LJMU has set me on the right path for the career I want.”