Ivié Imafidon-Marcus standing in front of the EY logo
By Ivié Imafidon-Marcus, criminology and sociology student
Future Connections 2025 is a programme that takes a group of students from less advantaged backgrounds through confidence-building preparatory workshops, followed by an unmissable trip to alumni-led firms. At these firms, students meet with sector leaders, network with recent graduates and talent acquisition teams, and take part in workplace simulation exercises.
How Future Connections clarified my interests, strengths, and next steps
I joined the Future Connections programme without a fixed career outcome in mind.
I was not chasing a single job title or a neatly defined plan. What I wanted was clarity. Not certainty, but understanding. I wanted to know what professional spaces actually feel like, and what kinds of environments bring out my best thinking.
The visits to Bloomberg and EY helped me answer those questions
Bloomberg
At Bloomberg, I was introduced to a world shaped by data, decision-making, and global influence. Finance itself is not my intended path, but learning about teams such as BloombergNEF reshaped how I think about impact. Seeing how data informs long-term economic and environmental decisions made me reflect on where power sits, and how work behind the scenes can shape outcomes far beyond an organisation itself.
What stayed with me most was the culture. Precision mattered. Accountability mattered. It made me realise that whatever career I pursue needs to sit within systems that value rigour, responsibility, and long-term thinking. That insight has drawn me towards careers connected to law, policy, and advisory work, where analysis supports structure, governance, and public impact.
EY
EY offered clarity of a different kind. During the interactive business brief, I took on the role of CEO within my group. Leading under pressure, without having the full picture, was uncomfortable at times. It was also revealing. I learned how much I enjoy synthesising information, communicating direction, and creating space for others to contribute their strengths.
The exercise showed me that my interests are not just in solving problems, but in how problems are approached. People matter. Process matters. So does adaptability. This confirmed that I am most engaged in environments where critical thinking, leadership, and responsibility intersect.
Moving from exploration to intention
Future Connections helped me move from exploration to intention.
My next career step is to pursue opportunities that allow me to deepen my understanding of law and governance while gaining practical experience in high-responsibility settings. Rather than narrowing my options too early, I am focusing on developing transferable skills through internships and insight opportunities that reward curiosity, clear thinking, and initiative.
Advice from professionals
One of the most valuable lessons I took from the professionals I spoke to was that getting your foot in the door is rarely about having the perfect background.
They emphasised showing genuine curiosity, preparing thoughtfully, and being open to learning, even when you feel unsure. That perspective shifted how I approach early career decisions. Exploration is not a weakness when it is intentional.
Future Connections gave me direction
Future Connections did not give me a final answer. It gave me direction. It helped me align my strengths with my interests and clarified the kind of professional environments I want to grow in. For me, that clarity is far more valuable than having everything figured out.
If you having got everything figured out or have a clear career direction, we can help. We have pages on choosing your career on our website and you can book an appointment with a member of our team. Getting started is sometimes that hard part - begin today!
Posted on Tuesday 17th February 2026