This episode of Career Goals features Uzma Muhktar, CCIBS - a finalist for the Chartered Banker Institute’s Young Banker of the Year award in 2023 and business performance manager at NatWest.
Uzma’s story is nothing short of inspiring. She has built a successful career in the banking industry while navigating the challenges of moving to the UK from Pakistan as a newly single parent whose son had been diagnosed with global development delay.
Despite having to embrace a new language, culture, and way of living while supporting her family, she has significantly advanced her career, and her experiences have helped to shape her managerial style.
Key topics discussed
Word association
Kelsey reads out a series of words where Uzma shares the first word that comes to mind. Some words include ‘power,’ ‘finance,’ ‘exams,’ and ‘Kaplan.’
Uzma’s relationship with her son
The word association game reveals Uzma’s close relationship with her son, as she candidly shares her experiences after moving to the UK. She explains how she did not speak English, and had a different culture and general way of living in Pakistan compared to her new life in the UK - meaning everything was changing very quickly.
“If your life changes in just a few seconds, you can lose your personality. It took me time to get myself back again.”
As well as moving to a new country, Uzma also shares that she was going through a separation, and her child was diagnosed with global development delay. This means that she had to take steps to support and be present for her family while building a career and maintaining a positive mental well-being.
Studying as a parent
Uzma provides an overview of the certifications that she has achieved with the Chartered Banking Institute, and how her workplace funds this to support their workforce’s training and development.
She also explains the realities behind studying when you have children or other dependents.
Becoming a successful manager
Kelsey asks Uzma what makes a successful manager. Within her answer, Uzma talks about qualities such as resilience and how she has used her personal life experiences to strengthen her professional career.
Following this discussion, they also talk about the positive side of working from home, and how this has provided Uzma with the opportunity to focus on her mental well-being and improve her professional development.
Dream commute
We find out a little more about Uzma as she shares her ideal commute in a world with no limitations.
Maintaining a positive mindset
Having positive mental well-being is extremely important to Uzma, as she explains how significant it is to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself as a happier mindset leads to better decision-making.
The topic of mental health is extremely important to Uzma as she explains the significance of prioritising this. Drawing from her own experiences, she shows that a happier mindset leads to better decision-making, and we should aim to stay positive during difficult times as decisions that are made can have long-term consequences.
The discussion of mental health and well-being leads to some of Uzma’s tips we can bring the best out of ourselves.
Neurodiversity in the workplace
Another topic that is very close to Uzma’s heart is the importance of embracing and accepting neurodiversity.
She talks about her worries regarding her child’s development while she was building her career due to his disability. However, looking on the other side, Uzma shares the positives such as her son being excited to see her after work - representing the encouragement that she was doing something right.
Kelsey asks how having a neurodivergent child has impacted Uzma’s career. She explains that the patience she has developed has significantly led to positive outcomes. For example, the small successes that she has witnessed with her son due to her patience have shown her that she shouldn’t give up when things get complicated, and she can refrain from making impulsive decisions.
“There’s no such thing as failure.”
The conversation moves on to the topic of how businesses can embrace diversity, how important this is, and the ways that her workplace, NatWest, has supported Uzma so far.
This insightful discussion highlights how not being neurotypical just means that a unique perspective is brought to the workplace. Uzma also explains how industries that give the freedom for neurodivergent professionals to be open, confident and accepting will also encourage them to be the best version of themselves.
What are ‘career goals’ to you?
Kelsey asks Uzma the closing question: what does ‘career goals’ mean to you?
Get into banking and finance
If you’re feeling inspired by Uzma’s career, we can help you get on the right track to reaching your career goals. Browse through our banking and finance courses and apprenticeships and get ready to study towards the exciting future that awaits you.