Essex Law graduate turned content creator up for award

An international legal counsel turned finance content creator who empowers others to achieve financial freedom from student debts has been nominated for a Study UK Alumni Award.

Priscilla Tshibemba-Petit, who graduated from Essex in 2015 with a dual degree in LLB English and French Law in 2015, is a finalist for this year’s Business and Innovation Award in France.

The Study UK Alumni Awards, hosted by the British Council, celebrate international alumni who are using their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries and countries.

Born and raised in Paris, France, Priscilla comes from an immigrant family originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is part of a global Congolese diaspora.

With family ties in the UK, she was encouraged by her cousin to pursue a law degree there, and by her sister to finalise her application to the University of Essex.

She describes this choice as “a path for growth” that “laid the foundation for a career that spans borders and bridges legal systems.”

After graduating, Priscilla continued her studies in the United States.

Financing her education across two continents was challenging, but she says it helped shaped her financial discipline: “I relied on student loans and strict budgeting, which shaped my financial discipline and later became the basis for my mission to help others manage debt effectively.”

Priscilla now works as international legal counsel in financial services at a major law firm in Paris where she is involved in complex cross-border transactions supporting multinational clients and facilitating economic growth though billion-euro investments.

She also serves as Co-Chair of the Finance and Securities Committee at the International Section of the American Bar Association.

Priscilla began sharing her student debt repayment journey on social media in 2020 to inspire students and graduates worldwide to consider studying abroad and promote financial literacy. She’s built a community of nearly 20,000 followers and is now approaching her final student debt repayment.

Priscilla credits her time at Essex for giving her a global outlook and confidence in public speaking: “Studying in the UK fast-tracked my career by providing a rigorous, interactive education, practical experience in public speaking, and a global perspective.

"These factors helped me build confidence, advance quickly, and succeed internationally, qualities that continue to define my professional and personal achievements.”

She added: “I’m truly honoured to have been selected as a finalist, as this recognition goes beyond social media and represents meaningful acknowledgement of my work by my peers within the UK alumni community. I’m proud to represent Essex as an alumna.”

The awards ceremony will take place in Paris on Thursday 19 February where one winner from each of the four award categories will be announced.