August 29, 2025
Tell us about yourself.
Only a couple of years before I was born, my parents moved to New Haven from Guinea in West Africa with the goal of providing my siblings and me the best opportunity to succeed in life. I’ve spent most of my time in New Haven living in the Fair Haven Heights neighborhood, which I proudly call home. I attended ESUMS and eventually became a New Haven Promise Scholar.
Tell us about your job search experience.
My job search truly began when I attended a New Haven Promise job fair several years ago. At the time, I was an indecisive college sophomore still figuring out which career path to take. I landed my first internship with the Yale Office of Communications, and while I was excited to work at Yale, I had no idea how much that opportunity would lead to where I am today. Not only did I return to that internship the following year, but I also secured a second internship with Yale Finance—where I now work full-time. Upon graduating from college, I reached out to the NHHI team because I wanted to return to Yale, and they connected me with their primary employment partner, New Haven Works (NHW). NHW set me up with a job coach, tailored my resume, and helped guide me through a handful of interviews before I landed on a great starting point for my career.
Tell us about your current roles at Yale.
I currently work on the Transaction Review team within Yale’s Central Finance Department. My role involves reviewing and managing expense reports across the university, essentially ensuring that Yale’s funds are used in accordance with policies and ultimately benefit the institution. What I enjoy most about the job is knowing that the work I do matters every single day. The strategic involvement of our team significantly contributes to the financial health and success of the university. Since I had interned in the finance department, I had a sense of familiarity that made it easier to transition back into a full-time role. When I first rejoined a year ago, I started with a different team in the same department in a temporary role. That experience provided me with exposure to another aspect of the financial process, strengthened my skills, and helped me build broader connections throughout the office.
You participated in one of Yale’s pathway programs. What was the experience like? How does the culture of learning and development at Yale impact you?
NHHI and NHW’s Bridge to Employment (B2E) pathway program provided my peers and me with an amazing opportunity to secure a full-time position at the university, while also gaining the knowledge and tools necessary to succeed long-term. We met every Monday for workshops, presentations, lectures, debates, and even shared lunch together to build a sense of connection at Yale. The NHHI team mentored all of us. They served as resources we could go to with any questions, but also pushed us to never be complacent. In my short time at Yale so far, I’ve been fortunate to build relationships with several mentors who’ve helped me feel like I belong here—and even inspired me to aim higher. My managers and trainers (Monsi, Tracey, and Gabe) are three people I’ve connected with significantly and who have kept pushing me forward. They’ve given me years’ worth of wisdom in just a few months. Whether it’s questions about work, Yale, or even sports news, we stay well-connected and continue learning together.
What advice do you have for other job-seekers?
For those seeking full-time roles, my most important piece of advice is to truly embrace the journey of the job search. Too often, people focus only on the result and overlook the important steps that prepare them for success. In my case, participating in the B2E program allowed me to gradually grow and develop before transitioning into a full-time role. That preparation was key to a smooth and confident transition into my current position. I genuinely enjoyed the small improvements along the way—and that mindset helped set me up for long-term success.
What is next for you?
Now that I’ve passed the one-year mark at Yale, I’ve started exploring everything else the university has to offer. There’s always something happening, whether it’s an employee resource group meeting or other Yale events. I want to become more familiar and involved with the university. I believe it’s essential for me to put myself out there, meet more people, and engage with our campus community. There’s still so much to learn and experience, and I’m excited to see where that exploration takes me next.