by Mohamed Derbala
People respect a "can do" attitude but it's a fine line. '
For the past two years I’ve been working in the markets sector at the Central Bank of Egypt, specifically the Money and Capital Market’s team.
I have a passion for helping my country; and since starting my job at the Central Bank I have been lucky enough to be part of Egypt’s economic changes.
I’ve always been relatively good with numbers and I believe that Egypt has vast potential to improve, so I decided to be part of this rising change to the best of my ability.
So, how did I land a place at the Central Bank of Egypt as a fresh graduate? It honestly came out of the blue. I had just graduated university and my focus was on joining a private bank. I asked around and found out through a friend of my mother that the Central Bank of Egypt has vacancies. I had never really considered the CBE, but I was intrigued by the opportunity. Everything just clicked. I would be able to do something I’m good at while also contributing to my country, so I submitted my CV and application. From that moment on, I was on my own throughout the hiring process. I had to go through numerous interviews as well as write a paper on a specific issue they required.
When I got the job, I was ecstatic. The experience and job search, as well as pivoting from a private bank to a government bank, made me realize that you have to be open to new ideas and constantly searching for opportunities to learn and to develop.
If you’re stuck in your comfort zone you will never achieve anything meaningful. If I hadn’t taken that leap to just ‘go for it’, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Starting at the Central Bank of Egypt was intimidating, but over time it turned into a great learning environment for me. My role currently covers several challenging but important factors. My key focus is on local market development projects, while I also analyze current trends in both the local and international markets. A portion of analyzing trends includes proposing and discussing economic research topics focused on monetary and fiscal development, which provides a basis in policy making. On a weekly basis I also cover the domestic debt market, as well and foreign investors’ behaviors.
The greatest return is seeing my work on different projects actually implemented in the market. Every time it happens I get this huge sense of accomplishment - that I’m actually making a difference. My time at the bank has also taught me several important lessons beyond the workplace, things that are making just as big of a difference in my personal life.
These life lessons include the virtue of patience. Everything needs time and things take a lot longer than you would expect. You have to be patient with your career as well; you can’t be the next Mark Zuckerberg without putting in the time and effort. The next key lesson was the importance of confidence. A lot of my confidence was built through my job, especially seeing how much people respect you when you have a “can do attitude” and step forward and take on initiatives; but I do have to warn that overconfidence can be a stepback, because it makes people think you’re arrogant. There’s a very fine line between the two.
And finally, flexibility. My parents always encouraged me to be open to opportunities and change, and it has helped me in dealing with different sorts of people and handling difficult situations.
You might not learn these lessons overnight but you need to start somewhere. So take the leap, and just go for it.
WRITTEN BY
Mohamed Derbala
Financial Analyst. Sometimes you'll find me in a suit, analyzing trends and conducting research to shape new economic policies. Sometimes you'll
find me in sweatpants, philosophizing life's mysteries when the inspiration
hits. Most times, you'll find me laying back and taking it easy. At all times,
ready for new challenges and adventures!
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