Nina is a History graduate from the University of Oxford. She secured a Leadership Associate graduate role at Visa Europe based in London, through Bright Network.
First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
“I’m half Mexican, half English and have always grown up in very international environments.
I knew I wanted to work for a company which embodied the global communities I’d grown up in, but wasn’t sure where I wanted to work. I studied History at university because I loved the subject, but again wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do.
When I heard about the Visa graduate scheme it all seemed to align. The scheme offered six-month rotations in virtually any team in the company, allowing me to explore a wide range of functions at a global level. I’ve already had the chance to work in very different teams, which has helped me gain a better understanding of my strengths, weaknesses and interests.”
What motivated you to apply for your role?
“I joined Visa as a Client Engagement intern in the summer of 2023 and was hoping to be offered a place on the rotational graduate scheme afterwards, so I was very happy to receive a return offer.
I knew I wanted to go into business, but really didn’t know where and what kind of job I wanted to do, so having the opportunity to work in four different teams over two years was perfect for me and has given me exposure to teams I’d never have considered before, simply because I had no exposure to them.”
What was the application process like?
“The application process was actually quite straightforward especially as I was told what to expect so nothing came as a surprise.
There was a lot of variety in the process, from tests to video interviews to a case study, which gave me the chance to showcase different skills and play to my strengths. The whole process lasted a few months, which was quite helpful as it meant it didn’t come all at once and I had the chance to prepare for different stages of the application process.
The HR team was on hand and very helpful in answering any questions I had about applying. I had reached out to previous Visa interns and graduates who were incredibly helpful and went out of their way to give me tips and advice.”
How did Bright Network help you secure your role?
“I joined Bright Network when I first started applying for summer internships.
I found the career advice section incredibly helpful, particularly when doing tests and interviews, as it made the process feel much less daunting.”
How did you prepare for the application process?
“I did lots of practice tests and was lucky enough to have a brilliant mentor, as part of the Oxford Women in Business Society at my university, who helped me edit my CV, practice interview skills and gave me a lot of great advice!
The best advice I got for the application was to really know your personal ‘why’, including why you want to apply, what you want to work for the company and why you think you’d be a good fit.”
What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
“My advice would be to reach out to people who’ve done the role you’re applying for. It’s super easy to find people on LinkedIn, and in my experience they’re always happy to help.
Reaching out helped give me an idea of the company culture and what the role would entail, which made me realise how much I wanted to work at Visa.
Make sure you’ve done your research. Most companies share a lot of information on their website, so familiarise yourself with their values and the types of applicants they’re looking for. Bright Network was also great for accessing tips and advice for the application process.”
What have you learnt from going through the process?
“I’ve learnt about what application processes entail – particularly how many steps there can be.
I’d say a big learning is to keep your CV up-to-date, even if you’re not planning on applying to applications immediately. I found that my CV was really out of date and I’d forgotten what kinds of skills I could add, or what projects I’d worked on – it takes a few minutes to jot down what you’re currently working on and your future self will thank you for it.”
Tell us about the future. What’s next?
“I have just over a year left on my graduate scheme and I’m currently mapping out which rotations I’d like to do next, which is really exciting as I’ve loved the teams I’ve been in so far.
I’m looking forward to trying new things, continuing to learn and expand my skillset!”
Sign up for free to get access to advice, opportunities and events from top graduate employers.