Daniel Vital Kena
Bachelor of Economics and Finance
University of Lusaka
Hackaton Companies:
B360 education partnerships
Fundraiso
Roche Global Citizenship (RGC)
My participation in the Career Bridge 2026 has been a valuable learning experience, both professionally and personally. Through the trainings, teamwork and Hackathons, I have gained practical skills, discovered new perspectives and learned lessons that I will carry into my future career.
Trainings – What I Learned
The Career Bridge journey has been an enriching learning experience, beginning with a Career Starter Week (CSW). Two key takeaways were the elevator pitch and the career anchors. The elevator pitch taught me the importance of communicating and selling my value, while the career anchor exercise helped me better understand myself in the context of my career goals. During the ICT training, I gained valuable skills in advanced Excel, particularly using pivot tables to analyse data and assess company performance. The Hackathon Preparation Week also introduced me to the canvas, which became a lifesaver in helping us approach problems systematically, conduct research and develop practical solutions within limited timeframes.
Teamwork Experience with Career Bridge Colleagues
Working with my colleagues exposed me to different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. The Emotional Intelligence training taught me the importance of understanding others and knowing when to listen, when to speak and how to work effectively with different personalities. I also learned the importance of sharing responsibilities, communicating openly and accepting constructive feedback. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to work with my colleagues, as I learned so much from their experiences, ideas and individual strengths.
Highlights and Challenges During the Hackathons
One of my key highlights was the Fundraiso Hackathon, where we explored how to address the challenge of fragmented funding information. Our task involved collecting and structuring grant opportunities into a centralised database, potentially through an automated data pipeline. One challenge was understanding the technical aspects of the solution and how different IT tools and data sources could work together. The Roche Hackathon also broadened my understanding of partnership management and the importance of structured processes. Across both experiences, teamwork, collaboration and lessons from previous sessions helped us approach complex problem statements and develop practical solutions within limited timeframes.
My Future Plans
Going forward, I hope to gain practical experience in the finance sector, deepen my understanding of financial analysis and business decision-making, and continue developing my professional skills. I also intend to continue fostering a fintech initiative I co-founded with my friend, with the vision of using technology to encourage better financial management and saving habits. The Career Bridge has strengthened my interest in the intersection of finance and technology and motivated me to keep learning, innovating and growing professionally. In the long term, I aspire to work in finance, combining financial expertise, strategic thinking and innovation to create meaningful impact.
Personal Message
I am sincerely grateful to B360 education partnerships, the Staub Kaiser Foundation, Fundraiso, Roche, the experts, mentors and my fellow participants for making this experience possible. The Career Bridge has challenged me to think differently and appreciate the value of collaboration and teamwork. Indeed, teamwork makes dreams happen. I leave with valuable skills and a stronger belief in my potential. Thank you for investing in us and providing an experience that will continue to shape not only our professional journeys but also our personal lives.