From 2.0 GPA to Working for Deloitte
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 09/09/19
Mariama Diallo was born in Guinea Conakry. When she moved to the United States, she spent one month in New York before settling in Atlanta at the age of 7.
While in high school, she felt math was not her strong point and attended summer school during her first two years of her high school career. In 2009, she graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA. She felt she underperformed academically because she “didn't apply herself.” And, coming from a traditional family that values marriage more than education she didn’t have much academic support from her parents.
As a first-generation college student, she was left navigating the college enrollment process on her own which brought unique set of challenges but with the right resources and guidance from her school counselors she was on her way to academic success. She turned things around for herself. The 2.0 GPA she got in high school was an awakening. She knew that if she wanted to have high grades in college, she needed to learn to prioritize.
During her undergrad at Georgia State University, she majored in Accounting. She learned preparation is key and would study at least a week for a test to ensure she was well prepared. With hard work and consistency, Mariama graduated Magna Cum Lade (3.79 GPA). And ultimately became the first person in her immediate family to graduate from college.
After graduation, she interned at SunTrust Bank in 2014, and before the end of that internship she was able to secure another position at a regional accounting firm, as an External Audit intern (e.g. auditing financial statements).
She quickly realized being a Financial Auditor was not for her and decided to go into the IT route. She aimed higher and went for her Masters in Information Systems Audit and Control (a one-year program), at Georgia State University and graduated with a 3.5 GPA. Before she completed her Masters, she got an offer at Dixon Hughes Goodman, as a Technology Advisory Consultant.
Mariama’s friend, Joan Mbithi, says: “Mariama is proactive, optimistic and a go getter. She does not let anything, or anyone hold her down and you can definitely see it in her success career wise.”
Mariama says that if you are unhappy with a situation such as a job, you are the master of your fate and can either choose to stay and be miserable or you can leave and change your situation. That's what she did when she felt unchallenged and undervalued for a company she worked for.
She applied to several firms, and thought it was the end when she didn't get an offer the first interview. Fortunately, she was able to secure 4 offers from top 5 accounting firms (including Grant Thornton). Her final pick was Deloitte (top 2 in the world). Her advice for people going through the recruiting process, is not to feel discouraged by the first, second or even the third rejection, remember only through experience of trial and perseverance can success be achieved.
Joan says that Mariama “defies all odds and norms in relation to culture as she wants the best for herself, for example the expectation of marriage for her as expected by her mom and mandated by tradition has not stopped Mariama from pursuing her dreams and goals all in the hope to show her family that as a woman one can have a career and a family. As a friend Mariama is the epitome of girl power. She is full of encouragement and support always.”
“She is a great listener and knows how to make you feel like you are the only one in the room. She really believes in women and possibilities they can attain,” Joan added.
Mariama's story is a testament that tradition, culture and past results does not define your future. Through dedication she made it into one of the leading Accounting firms in the world. For the future she aims on being an Executive for a company and running her own consulting firm.
Welcome to Mariama's World
“I don’t idolize people. I have my own goal in place, and I go after it.”
Mariama is 28 years old. She loves adventures. She travels when she’s not working.
“A strong woman is someone who knows what she needs to do and aims for a goal.”
“If you’re doing something you love and getting paid for it, that’s a blessing.”
Connect with Mariama:
Instagram: sincerely_mariam
Facebook: Mariama Diallo
Email: Mari.diallo06@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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