In Feb 2023, Absa Bank Tanzania officially announced the Leaders in the Making Graduate Engagement Program in partnership with Empower Limited. I was present during its official launch where I heard a lot from the top Absa leaders providing an insightful commitment and expectation of the program specifically to the graduates from 2020 to 2023. Absa Leaders provide more clarity and purpose of the program to train and equip candidates with advanced skills in both managerial and leadership capabilities, candidate will gain opportunity to experience practical work in different department, work on real projects, and self-paced learning in both mentorship and coaching sessions.

After the session, Empower Limited advertise on their website and I successfully managed to apply for the position on the 15^th Feb 2023. In my opinion, the process of application seemed fair and convenient. On 3^rd of March, I received an email from the Empower confirming that I have been successfully shortlisted with a link to the aptitude assessment to be completed and to share a recorded video with motivation of one of two themes ‘explain the time you showed the Africanacity’ or ‘Introduce yourself, your strengths and what makes you to be a leader’. I completed both tasks to the best of my ability. It seems my best was good enough, because, on the 8^th of March 2023, I received an email from Empower with confirmation that I was shortlisted to the next stage of an oral screening interview. Following this, I received an email about the Assessment Day, as I was one of the shortlisted candidates. The assessment was competitive and well organized comprising of 50 successful candidates, Absa Leaders, and Empower team. The session involved various activities including group assessments, case studies, interviews with Absa Leaders, etc. The session was challenging and fair and we got a chance to prove our merit for the program.

Conclusively, the journey was an exciting one, where I learnt a lot through these interview sessions which provided me with a positive mindset and exposure through competing with graduates with advanced skills, competency and teamwork. In earliest of April 2023, I received a call of confirmation from the Absa HR team that I am successful designated to join the program. On 17^th April 2023, we officially started the program and looking forward to being equipped and nurtured for growth in both leadership and managerial capabilities. 

                                                                                                                                                 Festo Karoli