back Windmills Programme for Graduates – Case Studies
James Grace, GIEU graduate business programme
James graduated in 2004 with a first in ancient history and archaeology and was keen to embark on a career in PR. However, he was conscious that he lacked any relevant work experience.
After completing the graduate business programme he spent six months on placement with a Birkenhead-based firm of solicitors, where he gained hands—on experience as a marketing Co-ordinator.
"Before taking the GIEU course I had numerous misconceptions about the real world. I thought that I would simply walk out of university and into a successful career without any real problems."
"In my mind the application process would involve simply knocking up a general CV using a Microsoft template, sending copies to any company I could think of and waiting for the offers to roll in. How wrong could I be? The GIEU course introduced me to the reality of the application process. I now realise that each application must be carefully considered, researched and planned. Today I feel ready and prepared for everything that the interviewer can throw at me."
"Before the GIEU programme I had no real experience in the world of business, a fact that made any job application even more daunting. The six-month work placement was an ideal remedy. I now feel confident in myself and my ability to operate successfully in a busy office environment. My placement even resulted in the offer of a permanent position."
"Although it may seem a little far-fetched, I can honestly say that the GIEU course has changed my life. I now have a more definite career plan set out and possess the knowledge, skills and confidence to make it a reality. Any future career success will at least partly stem from my time on the GIEU course. I really can't thank the staff enough."
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Kerry Walker
Kerry found the Windmills programme offered the perfect opportunity to explore her ideas and career options after joining the United Utilities graduate scheme.
When she came to the company in 2002 she already had a vague idea of the career path she hoped to take but Windmills provided the reassurance she needed and helped her explore the various possibilities open to her.
Kerry found the Windmills sessions on CV and interview skills particularly useful in preparing her for the job she finally decided to apply for. She picked up plenty of pointers for improving her technique and as a result her confidence increased immensely.
Her application was successful and she now has the job she wanted as well as a clearer idea of how she'd like her career to progress.
"The Windmills Programme taught me that you have to manage your own career. You are the only person who can take responsibility for doing this and it's something you need to look at regularly."
"Windmills also taught me that your vision of where you're going might change too as new opportunities arise and you develop new skills. The programme has given me useful tips on how to manage my career as and when these changes occur."
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Samantha Wilson
Samantha Wilson found the Windmills programme gave her a sense of direction when she badly needed it.
Since graduating she'd been travelling in Panama and on her return to Britain found herself struggling to find a position using her computer science degree.
Concerned she had missed that year's opportunity to secure a graduate position, she found herself applying for jobs she didn't really want and was becoming increasingly frustrated by completing long, time-consuming application forms and getting nowhere.
"Windmills sounded exactly like what I needed to help give me a bit of direction and motivation. I'd lost confidence and I wanted to learn how to look and apply for jobs more effectively than I had been doing on my own"
The course content and materials really helped Samantha to develop all the tools she needed to find a job. She improved her CV and interview techniques, learned how to complete application forms more effectively and landed a job shortly after completing the programme.
"The programme was great and exactly what I needed. There's no doubt it helped me not only to find a job but also to prepare well before starting it."
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Phil Marsland
Leeds Metropolitan University and Graduates Yorkshire
Graduates seeking work and career development in the Yorkshire region are getting valuable support from the Windmills Virtual Career Coach.
Graduates Yorkshire, a partnership between the University Careers Services in Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, is using a specially adapted version of the resource to work with both unemployed and underemployed graduates in the region.
The on-line Virtual Career Coach was designed as a mediated or unmediated tool that users would find accessible, entertaining and practical and Phil Marsland, Career Development Manager, agrees that it succeeds in these aims. It is also highly flexible and lends itself to being customised for a local area – particularly the visual aspects.
By ensuring graduates are more informed and motivated, the Coach encourages them to use other resources from Graduates Yorkshire to find work locally. As a result, Windmills has definitely contributed to the retention of graduates in the county.
"The Virtual Career Coach is accessible, colourful and written for the individual. It's far from academic and addresses practical issues associated with career management.
Both visually and practically it takes a punchy approach and challenges the user. Graduates have found themselves better informed and motivated and our verbal and written feedback reflects this."
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