By Kavata Kiaro, Director of Financial Analysis at Arielle Advisory
As Africa celebrates International Youth Day, we find ourselves reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that the continent’s young people face as they transition from academic life to the professional world. At Arielle for Africa and Arielle Advisory, we are committed to equipping the next generation of African leaders with the skills they need to succeed. However, there remains a significant gap between the skills taught in classrooms and those demanded by the industry. My journey in finance offers a glimpse into these challenges and the potential solutions that can drive meaningful change for Africa’s youth.
The Academic-Industry Disparity: A Personal Journey
I vividly remember the excitement I felt as I embarked on my undergraduate degree in business administration, eager to major in finance. My initial decision was not guided by any specific insight, but as I delved deeper into my studies, I found myself captivated by concepts like the weighted average cost of capital and discounted cash flows. These metrics weren’t just numbers; they represented real-world decisions that could influence the success of businesses, investors, and management teams. The thrill of understanding their implications was exhilarating.
During my studies, I participated in an industry competition with two classmates. Even though we did not get past the first round, this experience was more than an eye opener to the financial analyst’s world. It became clear in my mind, that was where I wanted to be, and I needed to bridge some gaps to develop practical, relevant skills that could help me thrive
The Struggles of Breaking into the Financial Industry
Armed with a finance degree, I faced the daunting task of breaking into the industry—a challenge that many young Africans can relate to. I sent out countless job applications, often receiving no response. A piece of advice from a mentor during my internship resonated deeply with me: “No one owes you anything. Fold your hands and work.” These words became my guiding principle as I navigated the often-unforgiving terrain of job hunting.
Fortunately, I eventually secured an internship that involved working with an analyst and this provided me with the learning opportunities I desperately needed. I spent countless hours watching tutorials, taking online courses, and seeking advice from the analyst to bridge the technical gaps in my knowledge. While my strong academic foundation helped, it was the practical skills that I needed to develop continually.
The Role of Organizations in Nurturing Talent
Through these experiences, I realized that many organizations are busy or lack the resources to invest in nurturing young talent. This became a pain point for me and fueled my determination to pass on the knowledge I had gained to others. Today, I am grateful for the autonomy we have at Arielle Advisory, and the relentless commitment to providing our clients with the best data-led advisory services.
One of my proudest achievements has been leading our team to create our first graduate trainee program at Arielle Advisory. This program is designed to equip trainees with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills tailored to our specific activities. It’s a small but significant step toward growing industry skills and standards in the real-world situation.
Corporate Intervention
In my view, there is room for corporates to do more to complement the efforts of our educational institutions in growing the much-needed skills in the market place. What we are doing at Arielle Advisory is one of many such initiatives.
As we celebrate International Youth Day, I challenge educational institutions, businesses, and industry leaders to seize every opportunity, create impactful partnerships that seek to fill the skills gap for those eager to join our industries.
At Arielle for Africa and Arielle Advisory, we are committed to making the necessary sacrifices to ensure that our young talent has a better start than we did. As we continue with our six-month graduate trainee program, I look forward to seeing what these talented individuals will achieve. It is an absolute pleasure and joy to contribute to their success, knowing that our efforts will help bridge the gap between academia and industry for future generations.
Let us work together to empower Africa’s youth by offering them the opportunities they deserve and helping them realize their full potential. The future of our continent depends on it.
