Women+ in Leadership case study: Zahraa Karim

Hearing about Women+

If you don’t check your emails regularly like me, get a friend that does, because that’s how I came across the Women+ in Leadership Industry Live Brief (thanks again Debs)!

After reading into what it would entail, it felt like a no-brainer; I’d get experience with a live brief - something I didn’t really get the opportunity to do on my course - I’d get to meet and collaborate with like-minded people across all 6 colleges, and I had a chance to try something new. It was my final year, and although I knew how stressful it was going to be, it just didn’t sit right with me to say no.

Applying to the live brief

Doing the application, I already felt motivated. Typically, applications aren’t reflective, but filling it in felt introspective. The task wasn’t dull or demanding, and I didn’t have to list my qualifications, but instead explain who I look up to, why I’m right for this workshop, and why it’s right for me. I had to write about women in the industry that inspired me, and sometimes, when you’re so busy with deadlines and life, you forget where you want to be and what you’re working towards, so having that bit of time to write about your role models and reflect on your goals was just what I needed.

What even made me want to get involved with Women+? It’s simple really, and became even more clear as I filled in the application actually - I wanted to be in a safe space where I could share, learn, and grow with other women aspiring to change the narrative in leadership just like me.

Managing my time and workload

So, with all the excitement surrounding the workshop, I was keen to hear the brief from the client Raconteur, but, when we were told the brief, I was definitely worried. The brief was a lot to digest and being fully aware I had my dissertation due in less than a month’s time, I felt a little overwhelmed. The brief itself was straightforward: make a creative, on brand report on diversity and inclusion, and to be honest, looking back, it’s only as much or as little work as you make it. Once I realised that, I was ready to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in!

Within my team we started to discuss our skill sets and how they could be best used. Each one of us had to write an article already, but I volunteered to work on the editorial layout and concepts behind our designs, structure, and topics too. The process of getting this report together was challenging, but such good fun. I haven’t always been the best with time management, but with so much to do for university, I had no choice but to learn how to balance multiple projects at a time, especially when Covid hit, and this workshop went virtual.

I started making timetables for myself and following them as best as I could, and it really helped. We got everything done that we could have possibly done for the live brief, and my project work and dissertation time didn’t slip, I ended up with a first, and it’s certainly something I attribute to how I managed my time, both during and after the workshop. When things did go virtual, I was thankful that there was a lot of support from the staff and my team. We all understood it was a strange time and kept communication lines open, so when it came to presenting what we’d spent weeks working on to the client, we were confident in what we’d created.

The importance of networking

After a rollercoaster of a ride from the live brief and final presentations, I remained on a high and wished I could do the whole process again! The live brief process boosted my confidence in my ability to lead, present, network, collaborate, and create. I think one of the biggest things I learned was that you don’t have to get where you want to be alone. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a group of passionate and inspiring women, and the energy that manifested in our sessions was unmatched. It gave me confidence in support rather than competition, in a community rather than in solitude. There was a quote mentioned in almost every session: “Your network is your net worth” and building that network of authentic personal and professional relationships is the most important asset you can have – the workshop totally encompassed this message, and it was one of my biggest take-aways.

Becoming an ambassador

A year later, I graduated and along came an opportunity to be on the other side of Women+. They wanted student ambassadors to support the workshop and share their previous experiences, so I applied again. I got the job and this time I figured I might learn a thing or two from the students! I was assigned to one group supporting them till the end, and any concerns they had we’d talk them out, whether that be how to manage their time, how to compose emails to reach out to influencers, or how to get more comfortable pitching an idea to the client. The role kept me on my toes and again moved me, because it was inspiring to watch them form connections and pitch their final ideas to the client. The ambassador role was rewarding, it was a reciprocal exchange of experience that not only helped the students move forward but helped me too.

I’d highly recommend applying and seeing where Women+ can take you because I certainly didn’t expect to benefit or learn as much as I did. If you’re still unsure, think about it this way: what have you got to lose? Push yourself to do more, the earlier the better, be a woman in progress, and find people who are going to lift you higher.

More

Apply now to the Women+ in Leadership Industry Live Brief

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Eligibility 

Women+ in Leadership

• Anyone who identifies as a woman (including agender, trans women and assigned female at birth) or as non-binary

Women+ of Colour in Leadership (Live brief projects)

• Undergraduate
• Home students
• Identify as a woman (including agender, trans women and assigned female at birth) or non-binary person of colour.