Finding her way: Jone's journey with WISH

Starting a corporate career isn’t always a straight path. For many women, life takes them in different directions – raising a family, pursuing personal interests, or prioritising other responsibilities. But when the time feels right to step into the professional space, having the perfect opportunity can make all the difference.

For Jone, WISH became that opportunity!

With a B.Sc. in Computer Science, Jone had never worked in a corporate job before. Instead, she dedicated herself to being a homemaker. Over time, she discovered a love for baking, which slowly turned into a small business. “I started selling cakes and earned some money, which supported my family financially,” she recalls.

But something was missing. Jone knew she wanted more – a steady job, financial independence, and new learning experiences. “I was desperately looking for a permanent job for a steady income to support my family and I got to know about WISH through a social post,” she shares.

Stepping into a new world

Stepping into a structured work environment for the first time can be a big shift, but Jone found herself in a supportive and encouraging space. “Everything was new to me initially, but my team was very supportive and guided me well to adapt to the environment,” she says.

Jone found herself learning at her own pace, surrounded by the right people. One of the key aspects of WISH is its focus on training and personal development, helping the individual build the confidence and skills they need to navigate a professional setting.

“I had a lot of training sessions from the People team, which was very useful not only professionally but even personally. They provided a lot of ideas to balance my work and family,” Jone explains. For many women, balance is one of the biggest concerns when starting a career, “The flexibility and structured support within WISH made it easier for me to manage both responsibilities at home and at work,” Jone adds.

A new sense of confidence

As Jone continued through the programme, she noticed a change in herself. What once felt unfamiliar became easier to tackle. For women who are unsure about taking the first step into a corporate career, Jone has a simple advice:

“I would suggest every woman out there take this massive step. Getting a job in a corporate world that looks after you at every step and nurtures you is a dream come true. And here is where you will feel valued for the work you do, so go for it!”

Looking ahead

Today, Jone looks at her career with a sense of excitement and purpose. The doubts she had at the beginning were replaced by a growing sense of achievement. “I am getting confident about my growth in NatWest. I am recognized and appreciated for the work I do, and that gets me going every day,” she says.

WISH is more than just a steppingstone into the corporate world – as Jone puts it, “WISH is a programme that fulfills many wishes – It’s a platform that helps individuals rediscover their potential, learn new skills, and build meaningful careers.” Her journey is just one of many, proving that with the right support, every woman can take that first step towards a future she truly deserves.