by Maimuna P.
When I reflect on where I am, a Berkeley graduate building my career in the corporate world, I can trace every major turning point back to Fulfillment Fund. Their support went beyond academics—it gave me a genuine sense of community and now empowers me to pour into the next generation with the same guidance and resources that shaped me into the woman I am today.
My name is Maimuna. I’m a proud Bangladeshi American and the daughter of immigrant parents who arrived in Los Angeles after winning the Diversity Visa Lottery Program – a rare stroke of luck that my parents transformed into a life built through strength and sacrifice. Their perseverance set the example, and Fulfillment Fund gave me the support and community I needed to carry that legacy forward.
As a first-generation student, I carried immense pressure to succeed, especially as the first woman in my family to pursue higher education. The expectation was to figure everything out and excel, yet there was a real disconnect in knowing how to get there. How do I navigate college applications? How do I apply for FAFSA? How do I make any of these affordable? These weren’t questions I could ask my parents. Instead, I found security and support in my counselors at Fulfillment Fund, who made the entire process not only navigable, but a meaningful, seamless, and pivotal learning experience.
It all began when Fulfillment Fund came to my high school classroom, offering a presentation and one-on-one guidance that made the unknown feel possible. I remember feeling overwhelmed by tuition costs after graduation and considering the more affordable option of community college. Yet I hesitated, weighed down by the stigma of community college being less impressive until my Fulfillment Fund advisor, Olivia, reminded me that this was my journey and carefully broke down the numbers, helping me see a path forward. Later, when it was time to transfer, she guided me again – reviewing my PIQs and helping me create a clear plan for the uncertainty ahead. That’s why Fulfillment Fund transforms futures: they don’t just prepare students; they believe in us, support our curiosity, and show us what’s possible in a world that often feels like it wasn’t built for people like me.
As I look back on my journey, attending community college was one of the best decisions of my life. It not only prepared me for my transfer to UC Berkeley, but it also pushed me to join the Ralph Bunche Honors Program, attend LA City College’s Met Gala, and connect with my cohort, professors, and leaders from across the country. None of this would have been possible without my village — my family, friends, and advisors from Fulfillment Fund.
At Berkeley, I stayed closely connected with my Fulfillment Fund advisor, Olivia. I’d send her updates about the little things – “The Campanile is so beautiful,” or “I just finished my first midterms at Cal!” But when imposter syndrome started to creep in, she and the Fulfillment Fund team were the ones who grounded me. Through the College Success Program and an internship where I was selected from a talented pool to work with Elephant, a creative marketing agency, they helped me stay focused on my goals and opened new doors for me.
In 2022, after graduation, I faced a whole new challenge – no one really prepares you for the post-grad chapter of life, especially post-Covid. But Fulfillment Fund did. I joined their career readiness programming and, suddenly, doors started opening. They connected me with professionals across industries, helped me build a strong resume, shared interview strategies, and even offered professional headshots! I walked out of that event feeling empowered, motivated, and excited for the opportunities ahead.
Now, as I navigate the corporate world as an Underwriter at Zurich, I often look back and realize just how powerful it is to have people who believe in you from the beginning. With the right support system, nothing is out of reach. And that’s exactly what Fulfillment Fund provides. Whether you’re a high school student, a college student, or an alum, they make sure you have the confidence, guidance, and resources to step into your next chapter with purpose.
As the daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants who started with so little, every milestone reminds me how far hard work and community support can take you. I am honored, proud, and endlessly grateful to be a Fulfillment Fund alum. They didn’t just guide me through my academic journey; they helped shape the person I’m becoming. My story is proof that when community, dedication, and opportunity come together, your future becomes bigger, brighter, and filled with more possibility than you ever imagined.
