Go-Ahead Graduate Career Conference

 
 
 

The Brief: designing and facilitating a one-day workshop to help graduates transition at the end of their programme

At the end of their programme, graduates may feel overwhelmed at the prospect of entering their career without the support they received throughout their studies and graduate programme. I designed a one-day workshop to give the graduates tools and tips to support their transition, launch their careers and manage their career development independently going forward. The workshop combined group discussions and individual work, ultimately enabling the graduates to reflect on their past experiences and create their career vision and support plan.

By the end of the workshop, the graduates have:

  • developed their self-knowledge so that they know what is right for them,

  • designed their own plan to support their career,

  • more confidence to make the right decisions about their career.

 

The outline:

  • Your hopes and fears about your career: discussing what you are excited and worried about when it comes to your career.

  • Reflections: what have you learned about yourself throughout the graduate programme, and what does this tell you about the career you want to build?

  • Inspire your career: a session with the Group Chief Executive during which he will share his career journey and advice to the graduates.

  • Design your career: clarifying your career direction, creating your brand and learning how to manage your reputation, so that you can kickstart your career confidently.

  • Career Q&A with a panel of senior managers who have started as graduates and apprentices.

  • Stand out from the crowd: write a CV that will get you noticed and prepare for interviews so that you feel confident.

  • Managing ambiguity: tools to help you take on new responsibilities fast, create strong and sustainable relationships with stakeholders and work in an ambiguous and uncertain environment.

  • Your first 100 days: create a plan that will help you make an impressive start in a new role and lay the foundations for rapid promotions.

 

Feedback

“Thank you for your help, expertise and energy. This has been another key reference point for me in building towards making informed life decisions that I have peace with and confidence in. I am glad that Susanna and Go-Ahead have linked up with and are investing in your service.”

Richard Armstrong | Graduate Station Manager