George took part in a Sutton Trust Summer School in 2021 and then our Career Skills Bursary programme for alumni, funded by Bloomberg. He’ll be joining the Bloomberg Analytics Department when he finishes his degree. He shares more with us about his experience on the programme.

 

Tell us a bit about your background

I am state school educated and the first to go to university in my family. Without the programme, I wouldn’t have had the funds to support myself through university.

What was the highlight of your Sutton Trust programme?

The ability to gain practical experience and get ‘the foot in the door’ was critical. People from my background typically never get this opportunity so by having this programme has allowed me to get to build the first steps of my future career.

What would you say you have gained from taking part in the programme?

I was able to gain invaluable professional experience including networking, project management and public speaking skills. More importantly, having mentors and role models at Bloomberg from a similar background to me allowed myself to have the confidence to see myself in the professional corporate setting alongside advice on how to cope with the transition.

It has been completely life changing. I have been able to set my sights to sit at tables that I never thought people like me could sit at. Furthermore, the bursary gave me opportunities to travel across the world gaining knowledge and incredible experiences. I want to thank everyone at the Sutton Trust for their work and the opportunity.

What would you say to someone who is unsure whether to apply to a Sutton Trust programme?

Just apply. You really do not know where it can take you. This experience has changed my life. While that may sound cliché in other contexts, the experience at Bloomberg with the Sutton Trust has provided me the chances to set up my professional career and ensure a better future for myself.

What are you doing now and what are your plans for the future?

I am currently completing my undergraduate degree.  I am a 3rd year undergraduate student at SOAS studying development economics. After completing a summer internship in the sales, analytics and implementation departments at Bloomberg, I have accepted a return offer to join the analytics department in August 2025.

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