Katies shares her experiences of joining Ford through the Ford Credit Graduate scheme.
What is your current role?
People Business Partner - Enterprise Connectivity and AV Mobility
What is your favourite thing about working for Ford?
The people! I moved away from home / my university city to join the graduate programme, and I was initially concerned about not knowing anyone. With many others in the same position, the graduate colleagues I joined alongside both from within my function and from other functions have become great friends both inside and outside of work.
What has been the biggest surprise?
Getting to support the once in a lifetime project of Ventilator manufacturing at the onset of the Covid-19 lockdown! I don't think when applying for graduate programmes that was something I ever could have imagined, but Ford agreed to get involved it with a "can do" attitude of making it happen, and when opportunities like that appear you have to say yes!
What makes Ford different?
The variety of roles available! Within four years I have worked in a regulated bank, a unionised manufacturing plant, and an innovative software and design function. I'm not sure where else you could get that breadth of experience so early in a career, and all with just one employer.
What are your top tips for graduates applying for the Ford Pro graduate scheme?
Try to understand as much as you can from our recent press releases and news articles - there's so much change happening both now and upcoming, so it's great if you can engage in discussions around that wider context!
Want to follow in Katie's footsteps, then take a look at the current opportunities with Ford