Case studies: Graduate projects officer: Hannah

Hannah studied BSocSci Politics and International Relations at The University of Manchester.

I work as a graduate projects officer at The Co-operative Group where I am currently completing their graduate training scheme. I found out about the scheme while working part time for The Co-operative Financial services during my studies.

One of the most appealing aspects of the scheme is the diversity of the project placements on offer. For this reason, your degree subject does not really have an impact on your application since you will be covering many different areas of work. The organisation primarily looks for leadership qualities, shared values and transferable skills in their applicants, none of which are dependent on degree type.

I am nearing the end of my first four-month project, where I have been working for the Co-op’s membership department in the UK but seconded to their European head office in Brussels. My project is mostly centred on international co-operative members’ preparations for the upcoming International Year of Co-operatives 2012.

My work in communications involves contacting and updating members, designing workshops to aid the development of their 2012 strategies, producing a newsletter and updating the website of an international consumer co-operative organisation. The high level of responsibility has been amazing and I feel a great sense of achievement in completing the objectives I have been set. After only one project I feel I have learnt so much and look forward to my next challenge.

When I first arrived in Brussels I dedicated a great deal of time to researching the Co-operative movement so I could fully understand the significance of the International Year of Co-operatives. My project then quickly progressed to high level communications work with international members. I hope, through the placements in different areas of the business, to gain as much experience as possible and to find an area I am most suited to.

The Co-operative is a large, successful organisation and its diversity is unparalleled, from food to pharmacies, from corporate to membership. I enjoy having the opportunity to sample the range of roles within it and find the different projects refreshing and exciting. I also like the knowledge that a new project is round the corner and feel proud to say that I work for an organisation that doesn’t compromise its ethics for the sake of profit.

The pace and work involved in the four-month projects can be quite a challenge. Moving into a new business area means that you need to understand what that area does quickly before dealing with the set objectives. Also you have to frequently adapt to a new team with different working practices and cultures, while getting straight into the task at hand.

Retail is a highly competitive sector, dynamic practices and innovative solutions are common place. With the Co-operative Group I can have the best of both worlds, the excitement of this creative and fast-paced sector along with the comfort of knowing that our practices are fair and ethical.

My advice would be to do as much as you can to make yourself stand out. At this time when jobs are increasingly hard to come by you need something that will set you apart from the rest. Voluntary work, university societies and work experience will go a long way. Make sure you present your skills well on your application, showing how they will benefit an employer. University careers advisers can help with CVs and applications.

AGCAS

Sourced by AGCAS editors

Date: 

April 2011

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer