What happened next?

Fozia Khaliq is now working as a financial adviser for banking giant HSBC, based at its branch in Ilford, Essex.

Fozia landed her job after doing a course for aspiring financial advisers at Tower Hamlets College in east London. The course is part of a programme entitled Removing Barriers, Building Bridges, designed to give local graduates from non-traditional backgrounds a chance in the financial sector.

HSBC provides ongoing support for the course with residential personal development training at its corporate centre in St Albans and work experience placements. Fozia did a one-month placement at Ilford and was later offered a job.

Now Fozia sells a variety of mortgage products including one for Muslims who, for religious reasons, cannot pay interest on loans. HSBC's Sharia-compliant product was rolled out a year ago.

Satisfied customers make Fozia's day and judging by the scores of letters she receives she seems to have many fans. "It's very encouraging knowing that I have pleased a customer and it does make up for the occasional difficult customer," she admits.

Fozia attributes her success so far to her "ability to address the needs of customers without imposing HSBC products on them". Her weaknesses, she feels, include the need to network with staff more.

Fozia hopes working as a financial adviser will lead to her ultimate goal - to become an investment banker. "I wanted to go into investment banking straight after university but I only got a 2.2 so I had to take a different route to achieve my goal."

Fozia reckons that work experience is the key to landing on your feet after graduating."It makes you stand out from the crowd."

· Interview by Adeline Iziren (adeline@worksmart communications.com)