Sinke is an alumnus of our highly successful African Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) that we run in partnership with NAB. Here’s a snapshot of her experience.

Sinke Wesho is an Analyst|Remediation at NAB

Losing hope 

Sinke Wesho was born in Ethiopia, but grew up in Kenya and arrived in Australia in 2007. When Sinke completed a degree in International Relations in 2013, she believed she was ready to land a job in her chosen field. 

“Before completing my studies, I volunteered with various orgainsations to gain practical skills,” she says.

“I travelled to countries around the world and gained quite good exposure. But when I attempted to find work, the reality was different.” 

After nine months of constant knockbacks – after applying for everything from professional roles to “anything that paid the bills” – Sinke began to wonder what Australia promised her. 

“The promise of a ‘fair go’ didn’t seem to apply to me,” she recalls. “Eventually I began to leave my qualifications out of my resume; they no longer seemed relevant.” 

Light at the end of the tunnel 

In 2016, Sinke attended an AAIP Information Session but her lack of confidence as a result of so many unsuccessful applications meant she did not apply for a position in the program. “I have had a long track record of disappointment when applying for jobs in Australia,” she says.

The following year, two of Sinke’s friends who joined NAB through the AAIP convinced her to apply for the next intake. 

“I went from having given up on applying for jobs to editing my resume almost daily and having people proofread it – I wanted to give it a go one last time,” she says. 

Sinke was accepted into the program and offered a role as a Business Analyst in NAB’s Corporate Super sector. 

Giving everyone a fair go 

Only weeks into her role, she realised that “the promise for fairness and equal opportunity finally came to fruition,” helped in part by her supportive team. “My People Leader, not only believed in my capabilities, but granted me the opportunity to put them to use,” she says. 

Sinke believes that opportunities like those offered by the AAIP not only benefit the people who join the business – but their wider communities. “This role is not solely about me, it’s about my brother who sacrificed so much to educate me,” she says. 

“There are so many individuals, particularly young adults like me, who would like to embrace Australia as a multicultural land of opportunity. Sadly, chances are very limited and it frustrates many talented people,” she says. 

“NAB just concluded a journey for me, which so many in my family and community also embark on. It goes without saying that other corporations should follow suit.”