Meet The Ambassadors

Introducing Our TBEN Ambassadors!

Earlier this year, we kicked off the first TBEN Ambassador Programme. Our mission? To make economics more inclusive and diverse.

Get ready to meet our amazing ambassadors, and learn about their experience so far, six weeks into the programme!

Can you share what being a TBEN ambassador means to you ?

Being an ambassador was something that I was really excited to do because I’ve spent a lot of time wondering if economics was even for me as my journey into the field was quite unconventional. I think the prospect of being able to help others on that journey and help them discover their passion for economics is such an amazing opportunity. I also enjoy all of the different functional aspects of the programme, like planning events and meeting other economics students. 

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment ?

I am the event coordinator for our upcoming events and working alongside the teams has been a very exciting process. I have enjoyed watching us start with initial ideas, getting the ball rolling, and executing. This requires me to take an executive role and lead the team, and put on a lot of different hats, which is making me more adaptable. 

Can you share some of the key skills you've developed or improved on during the programme so far ?

I have gained time management, organisation and delegation skills, alongside learning how to present and handle data. This is fun to do in a real world, professional context, rather than an academic setting. Delegation has been crucial to making sure I put my best foot forward in the   example, doing my best in projects, and also supporting the team.  

Can you share some of the key skills you've developed or improved on during the programme so far ?

One of the skills I’ve improved on is my research skills. After this internship at TBEN,  I’ve become aware of the fact that a good research paper entails going into as much detail as possible on a few good points and being able to use sources that are very relevant rather than as many sources as possible. I would also say my public speaking has improved through tasks such as delivering several presentations over the duration of the internship

Are you working on anything interesting at the moment?

I am currently the communications Lead of the group. Myself and my team handle everything to do with marketing and promotion for our Black History Month Events happening this October. Some of the things I am working on at the moment is creating a schedule of when all of our content would be created and posted. Furthermore, I, as well as my team, have created several posters to promote the event. This role has been very exciting as I have not had much experience in content creation, but it has been a thrilling experience.

What are you most looking forward to ?

I am eager to engage with my mentor from the Bank of England over the coming year. Aspiring to build my career at the Bank of England in future, it’s a privilege to be mentored by someone with first hand experience at the institution. This mentorship programme would provide me with a wealth of insight into the company to support my ambition of pursuing a successful career at the Bank. In addition to this, the opportunity to learn and grow under the guidance of a mentor whose career aspirations align so closely with mine is very exciting.

Can you share what being a TBEN ambassador means to you ?

Being an ambassador of TBEN means a lot to me. It signifies my commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the economic field. As an ambassador, I believe I play a crucial role in advocating for underrepresented voices and creating opportunities for young black future economists to excel in their careers. 

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment ?

I’m currently working on two black history month events. One for young professionals and students and one for Year 10 & 11s both based around the theme of “reclaiming narratives”. Personally, I’m on the marketing & comms team and it's given me the opportunity to learn and understand the marketing process behind events. I’m able to gain experience first hand in the field by doing things like creating posters and fliers and creating a social media calendar. It’s empowering to know that I’m playing a part in something that will have an impact on people and hopefully encourage more people to study economics.

What are you most looking forward to ?

I’m very much looking forward to connecting with like-minded individuals that I can learn from and share knowledge with and collaborating on different initiatives that promote diversity within the field of economics. It’s exciting to be a part of something that strives to make a difference in the economic community.

What does being an Ambassador mean to you ? 

Being a TBEN Ambassador is both a huge responsibility and a privilege. It allows me to contribute to something greater than myself by helping to build a more inclusive and supportive environment for Black economists, and encouraging the next generation to pursue their dreams with confidence. I love that I get to show those who are on a similar journey that they, too, can succeed in this field. 

Can you share some of the key skills you've developed or improved on during the programme  so far?

I've definitely improved on my problem-solving skills. The programme has provided us with significant creative freedom to tackle challenges in innovative ways. This skill has been particularly valuable in tasks such as preparing for economic debates, brainstorming case studies, and delivering impromptu presentations. The ability to think on my feet and approach problems from different angles has  significantly contributed to my development during this experience. 

What are you most looking forward to ?

Definitely the upcoming Black History Month (BHM) event. I’m part of the marketing and communications team, where I’m responsible for producing written content like the blog and newsletter. I’m looking forward to seeing how all our ideas materialise in the lead up to the event. Beyond the BHM event, I’m also looking forward to the year ahead after the internship, when we all return to our universities. There were so many ideas we couldn’t fit into the BHM event, and I’m eager to see some of them come to life during the year. I’m just excited to be a part of the creative process. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities and the impact we can continue to make, even after the internship ends.

Can you share what being a TBEN ambassador means to you ?

Being an ambassador for TBEN is important to me because it involves actively participating in a movement that empowers Black communities through economic understanding and advocacy. As ambassadors, we play a key role in promoting diversity within the economics field through academia and the events we hold. This role is vital for driving change, enhancing economic literacy, and contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment ? 

Currently, the ‘Reclaiming the Narratives’ Black History Month initiative has captured my full attention, as the attention to detail the team has put into it is truly mesmerising. This initiative is not just a celebration of history, but a powerful tool for broadening cultural diversity within economics. By teaching about the past, it highlights the contributions of Black communities and their impact on economic development, which is often overlooked. This deeper understanding allows for a more inclusive approach to economic thinking. Additionally, there will be food.

Can you share some of the key skills you've developed or improved on during the programme so far ?

During the programme, I’ve significantly developed key skills that are crucial for both personal and professional growth. Public speaking has been a major focus; I’ve gained confidence in articulating ideas clearly and engaging with diverse audiences. Additionally, my attention to detail has sharpened, allowing me to approach tasks with precision and care. I've also learned to think outside the box, embracing creativity in problem-solving and coming up with innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Can you share what being a TBEN ambassador means to you ?

Being a TBEN ambassador has been eye-opening. The Deloitte visit and our case study on the Olympic Games deepened my understanding of economic analysis in real life. The programme has constantly challenged me with diverse tasks, helping me grow my skills and broaden my perspective. It’s been a transformative experience.

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment ? 

Right now, I'm working on an exciting project for Black History Month. We’re planning two major events where we have full creative control, from marketing to logistics. My role involves managing operations and ensuring everything runs smoothly, from securing venues to coordinating schedules. It’s been a rewarding challenge to collaborate with our talented team and bring these events to life.

What are you most looking forward to ?

I'm excited to be facilitating our second Black History Month event, this time tailored specifically for younger secondary school students from diverse backgrounds. My goal is to help break down the barriers and misconceptions surrounding economics, making it more accessible and relatable for these students. By engaging them in meaningful discussions and activities, I hope to inspire a new generation to see the value and possibilities within the field of economics.

Can you share what being a TBEN ambassador means to you ?

Being an ambassador to me involves me positively influencing and inspiring other individuals to achieve their goals and dreams. Notably , being a TBEN ambassador gives me the platform to help increase diversity in Economics through planning and hosting events , as well as networking and discussing economic matters with other people. 

Can you share some of the key skills you've developed or improved on during the programme so far?

I have definitely developed my organisation skills further , as well as networking and communication. Helping to develop the event schedule required a lot of organisation and communication. In addition , I was able to develop my research skills as we did research prior to the event organisation as well as personal research tasks about Black Economists and current Economic issues. 

What are you most looking forward to ?

I am most looking forward to networking with other individuals at the upcoming event ; It will be excellent to gain insight into their career and occupation. As an ambassador , I also look forward to giving advice to young professionals and students as they embark on their career journey into Economics.

Now that you’ve met our incredible ambassadors, if you’re curious about what they accomplished during the first five weeks of the programme? Read their blog post, 5 Weeks Down, 1 Year to Go, to find out.