How Sehrish Broke Free from Entry-Level Roles with IEC

For Sehrish, the journey to a fulfilling career wasn’t an easy one. She found herself trapped in entry-level roles and the jump from entry-level to mid-level seemed elusive, creating a barrier that was hard to break.

While wrestling with this professional roadblock, she was also pursuing her MPhil in Public Policy at PIDE. During her thesis research, she reached out to Syed Ommer Amer, a member of the IEC team, for an interview. Through this connection, Sehrish learned about IEC and the transformative impact it had on the lives of many individuals like herself. She was intrigued by what we had to offer, and when she discovered that the Data Analytics course was open for enrolment, she decided to take a leap of faith.

Joining IEC turned out to be a pivotal decision. For the first time, she felt that she was gaining skills that were directly relevant to the current job market. The course offered the high-quality, hands-on training she’d been searching for—something she hadn’t found in Pakistan before. The experienced instructors provided her with the support and mentorship she needed, allowing her to build confidence and gain valuable technical skills. Within six months, she was writing Python code and tackling data analysis challenges with ease.

When the opportunity arose to apply for a Senior Research Analyst position at Reenergia, she felt ready. The interview process was rigorous, with two tests and three rounds of interviews, one of which required her to handle data using advanced software. Although the test was meant for platforms she didn’t have access to, she showcased her adaptability by using Python instead. Working tirelessly overnight, she completed the assignment, and her Google Colab files stood out to the interviewers. They were impressed with her dedication and problem-solving skills, which led to her selection for the role.

Today, Sehrish uses Python in her work as a Senior Research Analyst, ensuring accuracy and rigor in her data analysis tasks. Her journey with IEC has been one of resilience, growth, and self-belief. She offers this advice to others that don’t lose hope, as opportunities never die. Be true to yourself, bring your best work to every interview, and show the world what you’re capable of. And always turn each challenge into an opportunity. Never give up.

Sehrish’s story is a powerful reminder of how the right guidance, hard work, and a relentless spirit can transform challenges into stepping stones for success.