July 8, 2025

Blessing’s Journey to Vodafone: How Resilience and Mentorship Turned Rejection Into Opportunity

At Step-Up, we believe confidence, preparation and the right support can transform a young woman’s future. Blessing is proof of that. A driven data enthusiast, she joined the Step-Up programme eager to grow. Despite setbacks and tough rejections, she persevered, applied feedback with intention, and leaned on her mentor when it counted most. Today, she has secured a role at Vodafone.

In this interview, Blessing shares how she stayed grounded, built confidence, and turned rejection into redirection. Her story is a powerful message to any participant still navigating uncertainty.

“Each ‘no’ helped build the version of me that eventually got the ‘yes’.”

Staying Resilient Through Rejection

You’ve secured a role at Vodafone,  congratulations! Can you share a bit about your journey and how you stayed resilient through the challenges and rejections along the way?

“Thank you so much! It’s been quite a journey. I started applying for jobs in August 2023, and during that time, I applied to numerous roles, often getting to the final stage and then being rejected. At times, it felt like I was constantly being tested. But I also made it a point to reflect on each experience, whether I moved forward or not, and used that to strengthen my next application. Over time, I became more strategic in how I presented my skills.”

The Role of Routine and Reflection

There must have been moments when you felt disheartened. What kept you going, and how did you stay motivated during those tough periods?

“Absolutely. There were times when the rejection emails felt like a punch to the gut, especially after putting in so much effort. But I reminded myself why I started this journey. I’ve always been passionate about solving problems with data and making a meaningful impact. What helped most was keeping a routine, tracking my progress, and celebrating even the small wins, like getting to the interview stage or improving my responses. I also leaned into my support network, journaling and revisiting my goals to stay grounded.”

Mentorship That Made a Difference

How did your mentor support you during and after the programme; both emotionally and professionally? Was there a moment where their guidance made a real difference?

“My mentor was instrumental in my journey. He helped me stay focused, especially when I was doubting myself. He encouraged me consistently and even helped me prepare for mock interviews and reinvent my CV. That constant encouragement helped me stay focused on my goal.”

Owning Her Story With Confidence

What specific skills, tools or insights from the programme helped you grow or prepare for the application process and eventual success?

“So many! From learning how to structure STAR interview responses to building confidence in talking about my data analytics projects, the programme really helped me own my story. The mock interview sessions with my mentor were especially valuable. They helped me identify where I was underselling myself and gave me practical feedback I could apply immediately. Even understanding how to tailor my CV and align it with the job description made a huge difference.”

Turning Rejection Into Redirection

Now that you’ve come through the other side, how do you reflect on those rejections? What did they teach you or how did they shape you?

“Looking back, I see the rejections as redirection. They forced me to grow, to improve how I communicated, to strengthen my technical and soft skills, and to stay humble. Each “no” taught me something new, and over time, I became more confident in who I am and what I bring to the table. In a way, those rejections helped build the version of me that eventually got the “yes”.”

Advice for Future Step-Up Participants

What advice would you give to current mentees who are feeling discouraged or unsure about their next steps?

“First, take a breath. It’s okay to feel discouraged, it’s part of the process. But don’t let that feeling stop you from moving forward. Remind yourself of your ‘why,’ and keep showing up for yourself even when it’s hard. Break things into small, achievable steps, whether that’s updating your CV, practicing interview questions, or reaching out to someone for feedback. And lean on your mentor, you don’t have to do it alone. Your opportunity is coming, and everything you’re going through is preparing you for it.”

Blessing’s story is a powerful reminder that success is rarely linear. It is shaped by effort, reflection, and persistence. Her journey shows what’s possible when potential meets the right support. We’re proud of what she’s achieved and excited to see how she continues to grow in her new role. For anyone still waiting for their breakthrough, her story is proof that your moment is coming and every step is preparing you for it.