Ayush Kamra’s journey from working in a convenience store to becoming an executive at the Royal Bank of Canada exemplifies the power of perseverance and hard work.
Ayush grew up in a small village in India, near Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and was raised by his mother, who worked hard to support her family with her meagre salary. When Ayush was 18 years old, he left his hometown to pursue an education in the big city of Delhi.
Despite his limited resources and opportunities, Ayush managed to stay focused on his studies and eventually graduated from the University of Delhi with a degree in finance.
After graduating, however, he was forced to move back home due to ongoing health issues suffered by his mother and he managed to get a position as a cashier at a convenience store — the Vidhi Supermarket in India.
“It was hard for me to adjust to the nature of the job and manage work hours,” he said. “Moreover, during those times, my mother’s health condition worsened, and I had to take on more responsibilities at home.
“This, in addition to managing my job, drained me physically and mentally. At work, there used to be customers who were abusive, and it was hard to remain professional in those situations. This phase of my life taught me valuable lessons about dealing with difficult people and situations, as well as how to not give up in the face of adversity.”
After four years working at the convenience store, he was hired by HDFC Bank, also in India, as a financial consultant. He worked there for five years, gaining experience and learning the ins-and-outs of the industry.
In 2019, Kamra moved to Canada with the intention of finding a job in the banking industry. He faced challenges starting a new life in a foreign country, but the lessons he learned in India served him well.
“I understand the challenges of obtaining a work permit, both from a professional and personal perspective,” says Canadian immigration officer Andrew Mortenson.
“Based on Ayush’s application, I could see that he had put in a tremendous amount of effort and dedication to meet all the necessary requirements for a work permit in the banking industry. Despite facing numerous obstacles and challenges, he was able to navigate through the complicated process and eventually secure a permit.
“I am glad that Ayush was able to persevere and achieve his goal. It is impressive to see his dedication and hard work pay off in the end.”
That payoff was his eventually securing a job with Royal Bank of Canada as an executive. He spent two years as a financial analyst and was eventually promoted to senior financial advisor.
“During the first year, I was overwhelmed with the new work environment. It was a steep learning curve, and I had to quickly adjust to the complexities of the banking system,” he said.
“People there were very helpful, guiding me through the complexities of the system. As time passed, I eventually started to make progress, and within a few months, I was confident enough to independently carry out my tasks. I feel a great sense of accomplishment.”
Believing in yourself, says Kamra, is something he sees as a key to success.
“Your strength, and your capabilities. Always focus on the goal; the path will be set by itself,” he said. “And you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it.”
