Getting an attachment was my main goal this year. And honestly? It’s a very frustrating process in the moment. Not only because you don’t know where to start, but also because it’s a university requirement, not something you could just decide not to do if your search doesn’t work out.

An industrial attachment is meant to introduce you to the industry. But here’s the thing: half of us don’t even know the criteria when selecting an attachment place. Most of us don’t necessarily have mentors who would guide us or even connect us. As a Kenyan, we all know how the system works when it comes to landing positions, and sometimes just applying won’t cut it. You apparently need an “inside person” to get into a specific place.

This article will cover how I landed my attachment, without an inside man, family connection, or any relative pulling strings for me.

Where you lack in something, you should compensate with something else. For me, since I didn’t want to use any connections and I wanted to land a position using my own power, I had to compensate with audacity, determination, and a go-getter attitude.

The only guidance I had from anyone was my relative. They told me to go anywhere, and that my place of attachment should offer me something new to learn. So basically, I partially followed their advice and went off to a place that taught me something new. Apart from that, all I knew was what working environment I would like and God’s guidance. That’s all I had in my bag.

Audacity: “a willingness to take bold risks.”

It was the BIGGEST player in the whole process.

So, being the audacious person I am, I applied to 20+ places for an attachment, big places like Safaricom, KPMG, and NCBA included. Did I get responses from either? Yes, I did. Safaricom sent me their quiz to do. I got 61%… and we can all figure out how it went from there. Otherwise, I was collecting rejections and getting discouraged per usual. But the audacious girl in me wasn’t about to stop!

In February, I remember talking to my friend who suggested a company called SYBYL. Apparently, he applied for an internship there once. So I decided to check them out. I loved their vision and the fact they had an entire department for Business Analytics, which was my interest at the moment.

So I decided to use an approach recommended by an influencer: I decided to call the reception.

I did a formal greeting and went straight to the point and asked if they offer attachments. She told me to apply to their HR directly. And so I did.

Also, remember: this is in February and I’m meant to start my attachment in May.

Key lesson: Apply early so that you have more time to work with.

The first week after applying, I didn’t get a response from HR. This is where my audacity comes into play. I sent a follow-up email to ask about my acceptance. I gave it a day for a response because I can’t afford to put my complete attention on them for nothing.

He still doesn’t respond.

So I call reception again, and she says she’ll inform him. He replies to me by the end of the week. Keep in mind: I don’t have a backup place. I’m putting my effort into this specific application.

And then we keep conversing for a while. I don’t get interviewed, I think it’s probably the first time they’ve had attachees, so it’s a partially formal experience.

By the end of March, HR sent me the requirements of what I’m meant to deliver. And that’s how I got into SYBYL.

The funny part? The company was in Westlands, opposite Safaricom and before KPMG. So I could see the offices of the two major places I applied to.

And when I first joined, half the interns that were there got in the Kenyan way, with connections. And on that note, landing an attachment, internship, or job with a connection doesn’t make you any less. All that I want taken from here is that you could still land it on your own! You just have to be persistent, audacious, and a go-getter.

Your experiences in your place of attachment can either make you easily memorable or not. It’s said that apart from being competent in what you do, also harness your people skills. And I completely agree, it makes you memorable and well appreciated.

I got lucky and got into a space that was people-oriented, so I could directly interact with my managers. Now that you’ve gotten through the door, give your best skills and harness your people skills. Interact with everyone from every department and majorly build rapport within your department.

I guarantee you that there will be embarrassing moments. Personally, on my first day, I fought a door and got caught by my manager and his manager. I was very embarrassed . You’ll also probably struggle navigating how to communicate with your coworkers, especially if it’s your first corporate experience.

Hopefully, you all have a good experience like I did. Some companies could even retain you.

And for all my internship girlies, don’t feel like you should stick there if it’s not for you. Leave if you feel the need to. Always remember that as much as you are lucky to land a job with a specific place, they are also lucky to have you in their company because of the impact you bring.

So while you might like the place, don’t forget to uphold your boundaries. They are lucky to have you just as much as you are lucky to have landed your dream job.

Be BOLD, AUDACIOUS, PERSISTENT & A GO-GETTER!

Good luck on your attachment journey! You’ve got this.