The First Uniform: Summer @lifewithsummeranisa on Pitching Potential, Modern Workwear, and Embracing Growth

THE FIRST UNIFORM • ISSUE 01

Welcome to The First Uniform - an exclusive Miss Métier conversation series featuring emerging professionals and recent graduates navigating the raw, exciting, and sometimes daunting start of their careers. From landing the role and mastering the interview outfit to building a capsule wardrobe on a starting budget and earning a seat at the table with seasoned pros, we’re unpacking what it really takes to step into your power from day one. Today, Summer joins us to share her journey through the banking industry, her blueprint for an effortless essential wardrobe, and her guidance for rising leaders.

Follow Summer: TikTok @lifewithsummeranisa Instagram @lifewithsummeranisa

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Miss Métier: Tell us about your current role, and what a day in your shoes looks like as you build the foundation of your career.

Summer: "I’m currently in my final year at Queen’s University studying Commerce, and I’ve spent the last few summers building my career at a bank across a few different teams. Most recently, I worked in Tech Strategy within Corporate Functions, where I was essentially the bridge between business stakeholders and data teams.

A typical day could mean meeting with stakeholders, working through a data quality or governance problem, analyzing information, and then figuring out how to communicate the solution in a way that actually makes sense for the business. I love that my roles have never been about doing the exact same thing every day. They’ve pushed me to become comfortable walking into a room, asking questions, and figuring things out as I go.

When I graduate in April, I will be starting a rotation program in Strategy and Global Operations at the same bank. However, aside from my career, I have fell in love with posting on social media and helping students find their career path."

MM: Did entering your field demand a specific degree, or was it more about how you pitched your potential during the application process?

Summer: "I think my degree definitely helped open the door, but I don’t think it was what ultimately got me the job. Studying Commerce gave me a strong foundation, but I’ve always tried to show employers what I could bring beyond my transcript. I’ve had marketing and content experience, leadership experiences, and multiple internships, so I tried to connect those experiences and show that I’m someone who can communicate well, learn quickly, and work with different kinds of people. Especially early in your career, I think how you tell your story and communicate your potential can be just as important as having the 'perfect' background."

MM: Take us back to the hiring process - what did the journey look like from your initial application to that final "you've got the job" moment?

Summer: "My first internship application to Scotiabank was definitely a learning experience. I applied, went through interviews, and eventually got my first internship, which opened the door to two more summers with the bank. Each time, the process became less about trying to give the 'perfect' answer and more about being able to clearly explain what I’ve done, what I learned from it, and why I wanted the role. For my full-time role, there were multiple conversations and interviews, and I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nerves waiting for the final decision. Getting that 'you’ve got the job' moment after spending so much of university preparing for it was surreal. It made everything from the awkward interviews to the rejection emails feel worth it."

MM: First impressions matter. What was your interview ensemble, and how did it help you project confidence while remaining authentically you?

Summer: "I’ve always liked finding the balance between polished and still feeling like myself. For interviews, I usually go for a tailored, feminine look rather than something that feels overly corporate: trousers or a tailored skirt, a simple top paired with a neutral blazer, minimal jewellery, and a structured bag. I want to look like I made an effort, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m playing dress-up. The biggest thing is wearing something you feel comfortable moving and sitting in because if you’re constantly thinking about your outfit, you’re not fully focused on the conversation."

MM: Curating a polished wardrobe on a starting salary is an art form. What are the 4 or 5 capsule staples that pull the ultimate weight in your weekly rotation?

Summer: "My biggest staples would be a pair of well-fitting black trousers, a neutral blazer, a fitted bodysuit to wear under, a comfortable pair of flats, and a structured everyday tote. I also think having a few good-quality basics in neutral colours makes getting dressed so much easier. You can repeat the same pieces but change the styling, accessories, or shoes and it feels like a completely different outfit.

 When you're starting your career, I’d much rather have a small wardrobe of pieces I genuinely love than a closet full of 'work clothes' I never want to wear."

"Realizing that being young doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the room... You were invited for a reason. Asking a thoughtful question can actually be more valuable than pretending you know something you don’t."

MM: Is there a signature detail - a watch, a bold lip, or tailored dress - that acts as your daily armour when you need to command the room?

Summer: "For me, it’s definitely the combination of simple gold jewellery, a polished bag, and feeling really put together with my hair and makeup. I’m not necessarily a bold-lip-every-day person, but my little getting-ready routine makes me feel more confident. For me, a staple is a good hairdo, and my favourite has been a voluminous blowout. I’ve found that the 'armour' is less about one specific accessory and more about having a look that makes me feel like I’m ready to walk into the room and hold my own."

MM: Do you believe dressing intentionally/professionally is crucial when starting out?

Summer: "I think being intentional is important, but I don’t think there’s one definition of 'professional.' Especially when you’re starting out, you’re learning the culture of your workplace and figuring out what makes you feel confident. Dressing appropriately shows that you understand the environment you’re entering, but you can still have personality within that. It is important to dress intentionally for yourself and to feel more confident. The confidence will lead to opportunities, and that is crucial when starting out."

MM: Stepping into spaces with seasoned professionals can feel daunting. What mental shifts or practical rituals help you own your seat at the table without second-guessing yourself?

Summer: "The biggest mental shift for me was realizing that being young doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the room. You were invited for a reason. I used to feel like I needed to have an answer ready for everything, but I’ve learned that asking a thoughtful question can actually be more valuable than pretending you know something you don’t.

 I also like preparing a few talking points or questions before important meetings so I feel grounded going in. Once I stopped trying to prove that I knew everything and started focusing on being curious and useful, I became much more confident."

MM: For the ambitious graduate reading this who wants to make a memorable entrance into your industry, what is your ultimate piece of advice?

Summer: "Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Apply for the job, introduce yourself, ask the question, and put yourself in rooms where you might feel slightly underqualified. My career so far has been built through saying yes to opportunities that I didn’t necessarily feel 100% prepared for and then figuring things out along the way. And don’t underestimate the power of being someone people genuinely enjoy working with. You can have an impressive resume, but being curious, kind, reliable, and willing to learn will take you so much further than trying to be the person who knows everything."

Follow Summer: TikTok @lifewithsummeranisa Instagram @lifewithsummeranisa

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