Not All About Me
I love celebrating the successes of others. Today, I managed to see two people I care about do amazing things and it never surprises me, it’s not all about me.
‘If you can be there for people before the process begins, during the struggles, and for the results — you see the transformation and you feel a part of it.’
Harold Mosquera MSc.
MSc Marketing and Corporate Communications.
I’ve known Harold since May 2018.
I met him while he was Social Media Coordinator at Front Group.
I met him when he was trying to start his dissertation on nation branding.
I met him when he wanted to learn the most.
He worked hard.
He strived.
He succeeded.
I sent him some readings from my work on urban identity which he ended up referencing in his dissertation.
During his time at Front Group, he checked his English with me.
Harold is of Colombian descent.
His written English is good but needed some work at the time.
Time after time of corrections, he got the hang of it and he could write a pretty great copy.
I left Front Group in June and he stayed.
I met him again in August to be his first interviewee for his dissertation.
He came to West Kensington where I was working at CACI.
We shushed some pub drinkers while we sat and ate chips and I answered his questions.
He was quite the rigorous interviewer.
I met him again in September for the modern slavery conference.
He hadn’t changed.
He was finalising his dissertation.
I told him to send it to me when it was done to edit and read.
He said I didn’t have to.
I insisted.
It was 15,000 words and it took me 2 days to read and edit.
Two pretty full days too.
I enjoyed all of it.
He was astounded I did it for him.
Guided him.
I’m sure he made some changes and submitted it.
Today was his graduation.
He gained his MSc with Merit.
To see him at the beginning, during and after is very rewarding and inspiring.
Someone who had to study in his second language and do so incredibly well.
That’s just amazing.
I’m speechless really.
Harold wasn’t the only person that did something amazing today.
Kiran, a friend from university, won ‘Best Pitch’ at QIncubator for his business ProveReal.
I saw him yesterday when he was stressing about composing his presentation for today.
I told him to use the slides as context and his words as content.
He was very stressed yesterday and wanted to do the business justice.
He did that.
I saw it and I was like ‘wow, he really just did that’.
Both Harold and Kiran are two people I enjoy spending time with and learning from.
I try to be there for them, and others, for things that matter most to them.
Not because I want anything in return, but because it’s great to know you were part of something that allowed someone else to progress.
I like that my friends are ambitious.
It keeps me motivated to do what I do.
Not all about me