Hi, I'm Jess! I graduated with a degree in Ancient History from the University of Nottingham in 2023. I could see no obvious route into a degree-related job and no motivation to continue my studies for a post-graduate degree. I started working as an administrator in the NHS during the pandemic and have continued while at home from university since 2021 up until now. I have worked in several teams within different sectors of mental health and in the community. This ultimately supported my decision that I wanted to do something people facing - supporting communities and people in need.
Why did you join the National Graduate Leadership Programme?
I came across the National Graduate Leadership Programme on Bright Network as I was starting to look for a career direction post-graduation. I was originally looking to find something in the realm of publishing – a sector somewhat more related to my humanities degree and my love of reading. However, I ventured out of my comfort zone when applying for the programme and I am grateful that I took the leap because it has already pushed me to levels I have never experienced before – and that’s just in the induction and pre-employment sections!
How did you prepare throughout the interview process?
The interview process for the programme was unlike anything I have experienced before. Initially there was an online immersive assessment in which there was little in the way of preparation. It was based more on judging my character and responses to situational questions on a form. Once I had passed this stage, the process moved onto an interactive virtual assessment day. This involved more face-to-face interactions and teamwork activities. We were highly encouraged to read and learn the Police Now mission and values in preparation and think about how we can endeavour to take them on in our personal and professional lives.
Typical interview methods and preparation is something I have always struggled with and I have always had difficulties with nervousness when involved in more normal interview situations. This is why I believe I did better in this interview process than others I have been in before and think it is an excellent way of finding people who are suited to the programme.
How did Bright Network help you in securing your role?
Bright Network was the first place I went to when I came down from the high of my summer after graduation. The daunting reminder that I would need to find a job was settling just over the horizon and it was ultimately my mum that recommended I look into the website rather than just worrying and not doing anything about it.
It was so easy to manoeuvre and offered a wide range of opportunities from internships, graduate schemes and placements. Once I decided that a desk job in publishing probably wouldn’t be for me, I started to have a look at the ‘choose a career’ tab which was perfect for someone, like me, with no real idea about where to go from there. They have salary calculators, guides on specific employers, information about what a day in the life of certain jobs would entail and even a section titled ‘No idea what to do?’ which I know definitely applied to me and I’m sure to many others in my position.
The website is exactly what it needs to be – there are no over the top bells and whistles that only succeed in confusing already overwhelmed graduates looking for jobs, instead there a wide range of jobs on offer in the interest of inclusivity. In short, Bright Network is just a really good website, doing exactly what it sets out to do, and I cannot recommend it enough.
What are your top three tips you would give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Don’t hesitate to try something you wouldn’t normally consider even if it scares you or pushes you out of your comfort zone.
- Don’t be too focused on one outcome when beginning your search - being too restrictive might mean you miss something amazing!
- In my opinion, it’s best not to get too bogged down with the specifications of a job when applying – it’s easier said than done, but I recommend trying to prioritise what you could get out of a job and how it might possibly enrich you as a person before discounting jobs based on a higher or lower salary compared to others.