Fitch Group Sales Development Associate, Trinité Kiasuka is a graduate of Queen Mary University. Her professional and educational backgrounds are a kaleidoscope of talent, initiative and courage, yet the 22-year-old is just getting started.
Within her role, Kiasuka nurtures client relationships through networking and educating customers about products and supporting customer acquisition at Fitch Solutions (part of the Fitch Group with includes Fitch Ratings and Fitch Learning.)
Why mentorship is critical for Black professional development
Despite lacking access to professional mentorship during her adolescent years, Kiasuka propelled her vision by seeking experiences that would bolster her skills early in her academic career.
“I have grown so accustomed to having to create my own career path. If there was someone who has already been down a similar road who can offer advice and guidance based on their own experience, I can follow in their footsteps, making my life easier.”
Creating career opportunities through education
Eager to learn, Kiasuka took full advantage of her educational opportunity to soak up both the hard and soft skills she’d need to succeed in the workforce.
“I was a treasurer of [ACS] and also partook in many initiatives. One was at Bridge Capital, a fund led by students across the university. My role was as an education officer who provided materials to our analysts regarding anything to do with finances, which introduced me to the financial sector,” she said.
During a candid conversation, Kiasuka shared her professional journey, the power of mentorship, and the mantras that have positioned her for success.
BYP: How do you go about strengthening your skills?
Kiasuka: During my final year of university, I got into coding to learn how to build websites. I enrolled in Code Academy online to learn about HTML and CSS. It was really thorough and perfect for beginners. My university also offered a free, day-long coding course on Javascript, where I managed to make a game. Another thing is that I am originally from Congo, so at home, we speak French, but I never took it in school. Because it’s different knowing how to speak and write in French, my younger brother tutored me so that I was more effective at work when communicating with customers.
BYP: How did you find it navigating diversity and inclusion in the UK?
Kiasuka: You may see people that look like you but when it comes to senior leadership there is much less representation. I was fortunate enough to find a mentor on my team early on and it set me up for success right from the start. Growing up and moving to London made me realise the importance of mentorship. Using Fitch as an example, there was already a Black Congolese man on my team and it was very inspiring to hear about his career journey. I knew right away that I would be learning a lot.
BYP: What inspirational mantras do you live by?
Kiasuka: You’re always better than you think. I always underestimate myself and that’s something that I work hard every day to overcome. Another is that I am never too young to plan. I value structure in my life but have realized it is also OK to deviate when you need to. Everything you’re doing contributes to what you will do in the future and you’re allowed to change your mind. Lastly, I’m a firm believer in the idea that there is always a third option. If you’re telling me there are only two paths, I’ll find that third option, even if it’s a longer route because finding that perfect personal balance will always yield the best results.
Find out more
- Read more about Fitch Group and their latest opportunities on our BYP jobs board.
- Interested in being matched with a free mentor to guide your career? Apply now via BYP’s Mentorship programme
- How to be a great mentor for BYP
