Page 22 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 22
22
iStudy
2019/20
Graduate Schemes
Graduate schemes differ from internships in that they
are offered to those who have completed their studies
and are usually long-term, spanning from one to three
years. These highly structured programmes incorporate
professional development, often with training courses
and mentoring, into a full-time working schedule.
Graduate schemes are found across almost all sectors,
and they constitute one of the most popular methods
of recruitment for large companies, although it is worth
searching for positions amongst smaller start-ups too.
Pros
Cons
Most graduate schemes will provide training to
participants in order to get them up to speed with
industry standards. This is a win-win situation for
both parties as participants benefit from mentoring,
on-the-job development schemes and sometimes
further qualifications within the company.
Many of the schemes offer a considerable starting
salary that truly sweetens the deal. Generally, there
will be a linear path in place within the firm where
participants can expect to build on this salary as
they rise through the ranks.
As many of the world’s largest organisations run
graduate recruitment schemes, there is sometimes
an attached prestige to being one of the few
successful applicants. Future employers will notice
and reward the presence of a renowned firm’s
graduate scheme on a C.V.
Participants of larger organisations’ graduate
schemes can expect some enticing company perks
– perhaps a laptop or free gym membership. In
addition, many firms offer the opportunity to travel
and work abroad for a fixed period of time.
Only a small proportion of applicants are accepted
into graduate schemes, with fierce competition
across all sectors. The application process can
also be particularly gruelling, with a barrage
of hurdles to pass before even earning a one-to-
one interview.
The transition into a corporate environment can
be unsettling for many graduates who have just
waved goodbye to the lax university lifestyle. Long
working hours, formal working attire and rigid
chains of command will take some adjusting to.
Graduate schemes are inevitably a large
commitment since they typically last two years.
Successful applicants who withdraw from the
scheme are often left in the cold with large debts
because many of associated the training courses
sneakily incur large fees.
Top Tip:
Don’t limit yourself with the schemes
that you apply to. Competition is high and
gaining experience of the lengthy application
process will be vastly beneficial when you are
job hunting in the future.
Top Tip:
Research the graduate scheme to
ensure that it is something you are willing
to commit to. Consult the opinions of
successful applicants who have enrolled in
the scheme before.
iStudy
2019/20
Graduate Schemes
Graduate schemes differ from internships in that they
are offered to those who have completed their studies
and are usually long-term, spanning from one to three
years. These highly structured programmes incorporate
professional development, often with training courses
and mentoring, into a full-time working schedule.
Graduate schemes are found across almost all sectors,
and they constitute one of the most popular methods
of recruitment for large companies, although it is worth
searching for positions amongst smaller start-ups too.
Pros
Cons
Most graduate schemes will provide training to
participants in order to get them up to speed with
industry standards. This is a win-win situation for
both parties as participants benefit from mentoring,
on-the-job development schemes and sometimes
further qualifications within the company.
Many of the schemes offer a considerable starting
salary that truly sweetens the deal. Generally, there
will be a linear path in place within the firm where
participants can expect to build on this salary as
they rise through the ranks.
As many of the world’s largest organisations run
graduate recruitment schemes, there is sometimes
an attached prestige to being one of the few
successful applicants. Future employers will notice
and reward the presence of a renowned firm’s
graduate scheme on a C.V.
Participants of larger organisations’ graduate
schemes can expect some enticing company perks
– perhaps a laptop or free gym membership. In
addition, many firms offer the opportunity to travel
and work abroad for a fixed period of time.
Only a small proportion of applicants are accepted
into graduate schemes, with fierce competition
across all sectors. The application process can
also be particularly gruelling, with a barrage
of hurdles to pass before even earning a one-to-
one interview.
The transition into a corporate environment can
be unsettling for many graduates who have just
waved goodbye to the lax university lifestyle. Long
working hours, formal working attire and rigid
chains of command will take some adjusting to.
Graduate schemes are inevitably a large
commitment since they typically last two years.
Successful applicants who withdraw from the
scheme are often left in the cold with large debts
because many of associated the training courses
sneakily incur large fees.
Top Tip:
Don’t limit yourself with the schemes
that you apply to. Competition is high and
gaining experience of the lengthy application
process will be vastly beneficial when you are
job hunting in the future.
Top Tip:
Research the graduate scheme to
ensure that it is something you are willing
to commit to. Consult the opinions of
successful applicants who have enrolled in
the scheme before.
