Meet Khola - A RISE UP Success Story

Where were you before coming into contact with RISE UP?

My name is Khola and I’m 20 years old. I moved to the UK in 2019 and completed my GCSEs during the Covid pandemic. Since English isn’t my first language, I took ESOL classes in high school to improve my skills. After that, I went on to study Business at Level 2 and Level 3 in college.

When I started applying to university, I faced quite a few barriers because I was considered an international student. Due to a delay in receiving my status card, I ended up having to take a gap year, which was a difficult and uncertain time for me.

Before joining the Building Aspirations Programme at RISE UP, I had applied to lots of retail jobs but didn’t hear back from any of them. I wasn’t getting interviews, and it started to affect my confidence. I felt like my lack of experience was holding me back.

My Journey with the Building Aspirations Programme:

Joining the Building Aspirations Programme really changed things for me. It gave me the opportunity to build my CV and, most importantly, add real experience that I could talk about. I learnt how to make my CV stand out and how to present myself in the best way. One of the biggest things I gained from the programme was confidence to be myself, to value my journey, and to recognise the skills I already had.

After completing the programme, I applied to Zara and was invited to a group interview. Thanks to what I learnt through the Building Aspirations Programme, I was able to prepare myself and stand out in that group setting. It wasn’t easy, but the communication and people skills I developed really helped me get through it and I got the job!

Challenges I Faced:

I struggled a lot with my confidence in the beginning. Not having work experience made me feel like I wasn’t good enough, and I found it hard to communicate in professional settings. But through the support and learning from the Building Aspirations Programme, I was able to overcome those challenges. Now, I feel more prepared, more confident, and excited for what’s next.

What was your journey with RISE UP?

How I heard about RISE UP: Whilst I was in college, I did some work experience with AutoTrader. It was such a great opportunity, and my teacher encouraged me to apply for an apprenticeship with them. That’s how I found out about RISE UP it was through that process, and my teacher recommended I get involved with the programme to help strengthen my application.

The Support I Received: Through RISE UP, I was part of the Building Aspirations Programme, which gave me access to amazing support. I also received a scholarship that included a laptop, which really helped me with my studies and applications. I ended up getting to the second-to-last stage of the AutoTrader apprenticeship, which I was really proud of it was a big step for me.

What I Gained from the Experience: One of the most valuable things I got from RISE UP was confidence. Before, I didn’t realise how much of a barrier my English had been. I’d had times when people made fun of me or excluded me because I couldn’t speak English well, and that really knocked my self-esteem. But the programme helped me start believing in myself and in the progress I had made.

I also built some great connections with other young people on the programme who were going through similar things, and that made me feel supported and understood.

One of the biggest takeaways was from the interview skills workshop. It gave me a much clearer idea of what employers are actually looking for and how to prepare properly like researching the company, understanding the job description, and thinking about how to present myself. That workshop really helped when I interviewed at Zara, and I don’t think I would’ve done as well without it.

Where Are You Now?

Right now, I’m working full-time at Zara as a Sales Assistant, and I’m currently training to become a cashier. It’s been an amazing experience so far I've even won the “Employee of the Quarter” award, which I’m really proud of! I’m planning to switch to part-time in September when I start university, so I can balance work and studies.

How This Opportunity Has Changed My Life: Getting this job has made such a big difference in my life. It’s given me a real sense of independence. For the first time, I’ve been able to contribute to household expenses and treat my family, which means so much to me. The first thing I bought for myself was a new pair of shoes but honestly, my favourite thing has been being able to spoil my younger siblings with toys and nice things. Seeing their smiles and knowing I could give them that it’s such a lovely feeling.

My family is really proud of me. I’ve come a long way, especially considering how many people used to tell me I wouldn’t get far because of my English. I’ve proved them wrong, and that’s something I hold onto. It motivates me to keep going.

Advice to Others

Believe in yourself you can do it! Don’t let other people’s doubts define your path. I was told I wouldn’t make it because of my English, but I’ve proved them wrong, and you can too.

Your experiences and your story matter. The skills you gain and the support you receive through programmes like Rise Up really can help you achieve your dreams. They helped me find confidence, build my future, and take steps I never thought I could.

Now, I want to empower others around me to believe in themselves too. I want people to know that they can achieve what they set their minds to. Trust yourself, keep going, and don’t be afraid to shine.

‘Believe in yourself, you can do it! Don't listen to others when they tell you they cant do it. Prove them wrong’ - Khola