Fozia left Ethiopia and moved to Massachusetts, where she has been for the past five years. Despite her experience, she could not get a position equivalent to what she had previously held and began working as a teller at a local bank, eventually becoming a relationship banker. 

When Fozia realized that she could not go back to her career in corporate banking, she persevered and did what few others are brave enough to try – she started a new career path. As an immigrant with little U.S. working experience, this was a risk, but she was brave enough to take on the task. When she came across the Research Administration track of the Fellowship, she knew it was what she wanted to do, “They are conducting research that has a significant impact on a global scale. I find their work truly meaningful, and it’s a privilege to provide  administrative support to these exceptional  teams.”

Fozia was placed at her top choice employer host, Harvard Medical School in their Office of Research Administration as part of the Research Finance team. She has now been offered a full-time position as a Financial Analyst in the Office for Sponsored Programs.    

She is grateful that the Fellowship has enabled her to feel passionate about her work again. “I am immensely grateful for the extensive support and mentorship I have received from my manager. Additionally, I would  like to express my thanks to African Bridge Network and Harvard Medical School, especially the Office of Research Administration, and its entire team, for their  unwavering  support and encouragement throughout the fellowship process. Last but certainly not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Office for Sponsored Programs for giving me the opportunity to serve as a  Financial Analyst.”