Globally, the current jobs market is a competitive space and joining an organisation’s career progression plan can be a game-changer.
Many organisations operating today are keen to leverage the talent emerging from universities and other educational institutions, and company graduate programmes are an ideal way to do just that.
From attracting top talent and customising training, to closing skill gaps and increasing diversity, there are a number of benefits for the employer when it comes to implementing a graduate programme. But how does the applicant-turned-employee benefit?
Structured career plan
Whether you are graduating with a degree that could help you immediately access your area of interest, or you have a broader degree that gives you a wide array of professional options, graduate programmes as part of a company’s hiring process can be a great way to narrow down your focus.
Graduate initiatives can give young career starters experience, build up their skills and develop their professional identities in a structured learning environment. Often it is also an opportunity to rotate throughout various departments in an organisation to determine which aspects do and don’t align with current and future career goals.
Mentorship
Often when you begin a new role as a regular employee at a company it can be during a busy or stressful period and training may not be as thorough as you would like. Graduate programmes, on the other hand, because they are designed with the employee and their career plan at its centre, can offer professionals the opportunity to seek specific mentorship.
Having a guide as you navigate your new job and career path can remove any concerns you may have as you begin this next chapter and it is an ideal opportunity to learn from someone who has had a similar experience.
Expertly skilled
Graduate programmes often give young professionals the opportunity to expand upon a wide degree of hard and soft skills. For example, the technical abilities that are needed to do the job and skills such as public speaking, presentation, organisation, communication and leadership.
They can also be a great way to move outside of your comfort zone without fear of making a big mistake or looking foolish in front of your co-workers, as it is understood that you are in the process of learning and will have questions as you become more skilled.
Depending on the organisation you work for, you may also have access to a range of advanced technologies that could become useful down the line as you expand your career, for example in areas such as AI, engineering, medtech and R&D, to name a few.
See the world
Graduate programmes are often open to students from a wide array of countries, giving young people fresh out of college the opportunity to travel. This is an ideal solution for professionals who like the idea of seeing more of the world while they are young, while also providing the stability of a paycheque and day-to-day routine.
Being able to enjoy your life and travel, while still working towards your future goals as well as your personal and professional development, is not an opportunity you should pass up. It also means that you have the chance to build up connections with internationally dispersed employees, so that if you choose to relocate you have a network to fall back on and leverage for opportunities.
Travelling is not for everyone, but if it is something that you have considered and disregarded in favour of establishing yourself professionally, then a graduate programme could be exactly what you are looking for.
So, there you have it, four of the many excellent reasons to consider applying for a graduate programme upon completion of your third-level education. To give yourself the best chance at securing a place, make sure to do your research and find an initiative that aligns with your degree, area of interest and career goals.
Also, make sure to apply on time, that you meet all of the criteria and that you have a comprehensive list of all your options, so you can apply for a position at multiple companies, rather than hedging your bets and only selecting one.
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