“The Pinnacle Women in Finance Scholarship has been transformative,” says Sidney Burrell, as she takes a break between tutorials on the Wallumattagal Campus. Enthusiastic and determined, she’s a shining example of the type of deserving student Pinnacle Investment Management hopes to encourage into the financial sector through this scholarship.

Now in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Law and Applied Finance degree at Macquarie University, Ms Burrell packs her tutorials into one day so that she can undertake work during the rest of the week. Juggling three jobs at one point, the scholarship support has alleviated a lot of stress. “It was a relief not to have to worry about working more than I already was,” Ms Burrell says. “It has given me the stability to focus on excelling in my studies and gain industry experience without constant financial worry.”

The scholarship also allowed her to pursue opportunities she couldn’t otherwise afford, such as applying for an overseas exchange. “I told myself that if I got the scholarship, I’d apply to the University of Copenhagen for a semester – that’s why I’ve been working so hard. I’ve been accepted and I’m over the moon! There’s no way I could have done this without the scholarship,” Ms Burrell says.

That isn’t the only door now opened. The Pinnacle Women in Finance Scholarship provides career development and mentoring, fostering industry connections and actively addressing the gender disparities in the finance sector. Recipients are also invited to participate in Pinnacle’s exclusive summer internship program.

“At the beginning of the year, I was fortunate to receive a four-week rotational internship within the distribution team at Pinnacle, where I gained a wide range of experience and met exceptional industry professionals,” Ms Burrell says. “Afterwards, I was offered a permanent part-time position in a client-facing finance team in funds management, which is the area I now know I want to work in.”

Working three days a week in the role sees Ms Burrell reaching out to financial advisors and individual investors, accumulating real-world experience. “I’m excited to build my career at Pinnacle – they’ve offered to continue my employment after my exchange, which is great as I’d have been devastated to leave such an incredible workplace,” she says.

The value of the scholarship goes beyond the financial support, employment opportunities and industry connections it provides. “For many scholarship students, receiving this support can be the difference between finishing your degree or not, both in terms of the financial commitment required and the motivation to complete what can be an increasingly challenging study load, particularly in law and finance,” Ms Burrell says.

But it goes even deeper than that. “The scholarship has been deeply validating – as an acknowledgement of my aspirations, dedication and hard work it has motivated me to push myself further, embrace new challenges and take advantage of every opportunity available to me,” she says.

“Most of all, and this is common among scholarship students, being recognised in this way has given me the confidence to believe in my abilities and strive even further. It has made me realise I am capable and I shouldn’t let self-doubt get in the way or stop me from doing what I want to do. It has helped me to believe in myself,” Ms Burrell says.

This new-found confidence has had a wide-ranging effect. From taking on difficult subjects at university to speaking up in lectures, seeking support, taking on leadership roles and applying for the overseas exchange, she’s learned a lot about herself. “I used to question myself, but now I’m like, ‘No, I am capable and if I believe in myself, I will get there’. It’s so rewarding to get confirmation that you do belong and are good enough,” Ms Burrell says.

Reflecting on the journey, she is keen to emphasise the depth of impact scholarship donors have. “You’re driving real change that goes beyond the monetary value of a scholarship – it’s an investment in the future of passionate, hardworking students who may not otherwise have the same opportunities,” Ms Burrell says. “Scholarships open doors to career-changing experiences and mentoring and provide the confidence to pursue ambitious goals. It says you believe in students like me. It has been life-changing.”

Change doesn’t stop with a scholarship student, either. It ripples out into the world. Ms Burrell is actively involved in initiatives like Australian Student Asset Management, where she leads capital-raising efforts to support student investors. “Ultimately, I want to pay forward the opportunities I’ve been given by mentoring young professionals, supporting initiatives that promote financial literacy  and helping students access careers in finance and law. My goal is to lead a life that is both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling, making a meaningful impact in both my industry and my community,” Ms Burrell says.

With just over a year of her degree to go and the overseas exchange ahead, Ms Burrell says she has thrived at Macquarie. “The lecturers are all so passionate and eager for you to learn and my tutors have been so supportive. The new law building is fantastic.

“The university’s strong emphasis on practical learning, industry connections and student-led initiatives has given me opportunities to apply my knowledge beyond the classroom, develop real-world skills and take on leadership roles,” Ms Burrell says. “These experiences have reinforced my passion for finance and law, preparing me for the next stage of my career.”

Unsurprisingly, Ms Burrell says, ‘Receiving the Pinnacle Women in Finance Scholarship has been the highlight of my time at Macquarie. It has been an incredible honour and has significantly shaped my academic and personal journey in ways I never expected. I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Pinnacle for their generosity, support and belief in students like me – these opportunities shape students’ lives in ways that extend far into the future, and I hope more companies and people are inspired to make that kind of impact.’