Sana_7

Main TakeawaysIn today’s tech landscape, even if you’ve made it through the door via an early-career program, full-time conversion isn’t guaranteed. Bola, Binance’s rising HR star, stood out by taking ownership, adapting fast, and delivering impact beyond her scope.The Binance Accelerator Program offers opportunity, not entitlement. Bola made every moment count, turning exposure into experience.Her journey from BAP to HRBP reflects Binance’s growth culture. Progress here is earned through initiative, self-awareness, and follow-through.In today’s tech landscape, even the best early-career programs don’t guarantee a full-time role. Expectations are high, budgets for permanent positions are limited, and business needs can shift quickly.At Binance, we understand this reality. The Binance Accelerator Program (BAP) is a structured, 3-6 month fixed-term opportunity designed to give emerging talent deep, hands-on exposure in a high-impact environment. But exposure isn’t a promise. Earning a full-time role means showing up with ownership, adaptability, and a track record of real contributions. For Bola Ajike, it started with curiosity and grew into impact.What Does It Take to Turn a Short-Term Opportunity Into a Career? For Bola, a Nigerian HR professional from Dubai, the challenge was part of the appeal. “I didn’t know much about crypto or Binance,” she says. “But I was excited by the chance to learn and try something new.” Armed with a year of HR experience and a desire to grow beyond the textbook, she took a leap of faith, ready to stretch herself in a fast-moving, unfamiliar space. That leap paid off. Today, Bola is a full-time HR Business Partner (HRBP), supporting global teams across the company. Her journey was challenging and came with no guarantees, but it was shaped by curiosity, courage, and consistent effort.From Curiosity to CryptoBola’s first impression of Binance was about the culture. “I saw how much trust was placed in individuals to take initiative, solve problems, and make an impact,” she says. “That made me want to step in, learn fast, and grow.”That mindset shaped how she approached her time in the program. Like many top-tier tech companies, Binance doesn’t guarantee conversion. According to a 2024 report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers in the US, fewer than 55% of early-career participants in similar programs secure full-time roles. At Binance, the bar is just as high: BAP gives you access, but conversion is earned.Bola embraced that challenge. Her willingness to learn quickly and act decisively became a habit that would guide every step of her path forward.Building a Career, Not Just a ResumeThat early drive to explore didn’t stop at onboarding. Bola made it clear she was eager to go beyond her scope and then backed it up with action. “I told my manager I loved what I was doing,” she says, “but I also wanted to explore other parts of HR.”That curiosity led her to represent Binance at local university career fairs in Dubai, marking Binance’s first in-person presence at such events in the region. As a recent graduate herself, the experience hit close to home. “It felt incredibly rewarding to share my journey with students who were just starting theirs,” she says. “Some already knew Binance and had so many questions; it was exciting to help them see themselves here.”She even organized a swag giveaway with the Binance Academy team that sparked buzz across campus, with students returning to the booth and bringing their friends along. Bola also leaned into learning & development, creating programs like #SkillSprint, a monthly challenge designed to encourage self-paced growth on topics ranging from communication to AI. “We started with pulse survey feedback,” she says. “I ran focus groups, spoke to the learning team, and helped shape something that would really stick.” One message from a participant stood out: Bola’s ‘Time Management Strategies’ challenge helped them manage stress and balance their day more effectively. “That’s when I realized #SkillSprint was more than a learning tool, it was helping people in real, personal ways.”The more Bola raised her hand, the more opportunities she created, not just for herself, but for others too.Growing Into the RoleAs her contract neared its end, Bola knew that joining the company on a permanent basis wasn’t guaranteed. “I made it clear I wanted to stay, and I knew my manager was exploring the possibility, but nothing was certain,” she recalls. When her leader told her the team had secured headcount to bring her on full-time, it meant more than just a job. “It was the validation that I had something meaningful to contribute.”Since then, Bola has expanded her HRBP scope, leading onboarding calls, analyzing headcount data, and driving initiatives like #SkillSprint and internal newsletters. She’s spoken at Binance Academy events, participated in train-the-trainer sessions, and even lent her voice to a YouTube explainer on cryptography. “That was a full-circle moment,” she says. “I used to love doing videos in high school. It reminded me that we can bring our full selves to work here.”People, Purpose, and PayoffAsk Bola what’s kept her here, and she’ll point to two things: growth and great people. “I’ve gone from theory in university to real-world impact,” she says. “Seeing how something I helped implement shows up in a pulse survey score, it’s incredibly rewarding.”One of the most meaningful parts of her role is the feedback she receives. Whether it’s an instant message that says “Thank you, Bola” or a note in a feedback form like “This topic was exactly what I needed,” those moments stick with her. “They show that what I do matters,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.”Her manager and mentors have played a big role in her development, challenging her to stay solutions-focused even when things get tough. “I used to panic when things didn’t go to plan. Now, I ask better questions and stay focused on the solution. That mindset shift is one of the biggest things I’ve gained here.”Advice to the Next WaveFor those stepping into BAP, Bola has two key takeaways: ask questions, and get to know the industry. “There were terms I didn’t know at first like TradFi, DeFi, and I was scared to ask. But asking is how you learn,” she says. “The more you understand crypto, the better you’ll be at supporting your teams, whatever your role is.”What set Bola apart wasn’t just doing her assigned tasks well – it was looking for ways to add value beyond them. She proactively took on projects, sprang ideas, and followed them through to execution, showing she could deliver impact without waiting for direction. That willingness to step up, take ownership, and run with opportunities is what transformed her from an intern into a trusted HRBP.Bola’s story is proof that curiosity opens doors, but growth comes from what you do after you walk through them.Final ThoughtsBola’s journey is a clear example of how ownership, curiosity, and follow-through can shape what comes next. In a program where nothing is guaranteed and every outcome is earned, she stepped up, stayed focused, and made it count.At Binance, early-career talent gets a front-row seat to real-world impact. But turning that access into action takes initiative, self-awareness, and the courage to grow beyond your starting point.Bola didn’t just walk through an open door, she helped shape what stood behind it. And that’s what makes her story one of impact, not just opportunity.Are you ready to shape what’s next in the world of crypto? Discover open roles on our Careers page and bring your drive, ideas, and grit to a team that moves fast, builds bold, and makes an impact.Further ReadingHow Binancians Are Fostering Accountability Through Radical CandorBinance Hot Takes and Hard Truths: Thriving Beyond the Comfort ZoneBinance’s Work Culture Explained