Stepping into My potential: My i-lab Experience

A Step Outside My Comfort Zone 

Walking into the first training session, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I had worked in finance, healthcare admin, and extracurricular roles before, but this was different. i-Lab brought together students from completely different disciplines, people who thought differently, worked differently, and saw the world from angles I had never considered. 

Very quickly, I learned that this was not the type of programme where you could hide quietly in the background and regurgitate knowledge from a textbook to succeed. You had to speak, contribute, collaborate, and question. It was in that environment that I started uncovering strengths I didn’t even know I had. 

Turning Research into Real-World Solutions 

For me, the real challenge was starting research focused on real-world solutions. Our team was given a genuinely meaningful challenge from a real social enterprise. So, my tasks weren’t just about learning innovation methods but also using them to help a business address a real community need. 

As a team, we conducted primary and secondary research, analysed operational and financial data, met with stakeholders, and presented recommendations under tight deadlines. There were moments when the pressure felt real. Times when our initial ideas didn’t land. Times when we had to completely reroute our thinking. But those were the moments that taught me the most. I realised that entrepreneurship isn’t just about the big idea; it’s about adapting, questioning assumptions, pivoting quickly, and still showing up with confidence. 

This lesson was proven correct at the end of the experience because, beyond the original project, I have since spent time creating and developing ideas for my own business, inspired simply by being in a space full of innovators and people willing to think outside the box. 

Curiosity: The Behaviour That Changed Everything 

If I had to choose one skill that i-Lab strengthened the most in me, it would be curiosity. Curiosity pushed me to question what the data was really telling us. 

Curiosity helped me understand perspectives beyond my own. 

Curiosity gave me the courage to speak up even when I wasn’t 100% sure of my idea, something I used to hesitate about. 

As a result of both my finance training and athletic background, I am someone who values routine, structure, and clear direction. i-Lab helped me let go of a bit of my rigidity and embrace exploration. That shift alone has already influenced how I approach challenges in other areas of my life, and I can confidently say the impact has been positive. 

How My Background Shaped My i-Lab Journey 

Just to give a bit more history about me, upon entering the i-Lab experience, I was coming from a background where discipline and resilience were essential. From competitive sport to working as a finance and HR intern handling compliance-sensitive data, I have always been someone who likes to get things right. I owe a lot to this experience, as i-Lab pushed me into a new phase of growth. I learned that innovation doesn’t always follow a neat structure, not every solution comes from financial logic alone, and most importantly, I learned to trust the process, trust my insights, and trust my team. This blend of analytical thinking, discipline, and growing creativity is exactly what I want to carry into my future career in finance and consulting. 

The Support That Made the Difference 

One of the most rewarding parts of i-Lab was mentorship. Our facilitators created an environment where thinking boldly was encouraged and asking questions was celebrated. Their feedback was honest, constructive, and exactly what I needed to step forward instead of stepping back. And then there were connections. These were the kinds you don’t expect to form so quickly. I was blessed to be put in such a wonderful team, as I would not have done as much as I did without their support. We worked hard, but we also laughed, supported one another, and shared ideas without judgement. Those relationships became just as important as the final presentation. 

And for that, I’ll always be grateful. 

A New Sense of Direction 

With regards to my future, I now see that i-Lab didn’t just help me understand entrepreneurship; it helped me understand myself. I now see the kind of future entrepreneur I want to become. I feel more confident speaking in rooms I once found intimidating. I feel more prepared to pitch ideas and lead projects. I feel more inspired to build a career that blends finance and innovation with meaningful impact. This experience didn’t just teach me skills; it opened doors to possibilities I hadn’t considered before and helped me step into a version of myself. I always knew I could be but never had the space to fully explore. 

For anyone thinking of signing up for this experience, I would like you to know it was challenging, empowering, transformative, and absolutely worth it. 

I entered hoping to gain experience; I left with confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of ambition.