Without a doubt, there is no way I could have attended City University London to study financial journalism had it not been for the studentship that I received from the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation.

The support that the foundation gave me was invaluable because it allowed me to pursue my Master’s degree while also continuing to work as a freelance journalist. Through the various individuals that I met over the course of the school year in London—either via the university or my various freelance jobs—I was able to land my dream job.

At the end of March I will join Bloomberg TV as a producer inLondon, and could not be more excited. In this position, I will be able to apply what I have learned as a business journalist and an analyst in the financial services sector over the course of five years in Cairo as well as the skills I was fortunate enough to acquire at City University.

If not for the support of the foundation, I would not have been able to move to the bustling, busy and exciting city that is London, nor pursue a Master’s degree at City University, nor land the dream job I have long been hoping and working for. It’s true that you cannot get by without a lot of hard work, sweat and tears, but help from various individuals and organisations is just as important, especially in a niche field like financial journalism.

And one small shout out to my colleagues—this is what financial journalism students can produce when they receive just a little help and support: www.citybudget2012.com.

-Sarah Marquer