ere are they now?
The Civil Engineering Graduate
Degree: Civil Engineering University: Loughborough First Role: Graduate Training Scheme
with Laing Homes Current Role: Land Manager, Brookworth Developments
Why did you choose your degree subject? sandwich year employer. The internet is also a I also started up a business with 3 friends
I always had an interest in design, buildings great source of information. focusing on the England cricket supporter. We
and problem solving. Inherently from my father now have an operating ATOL licence and run
and grandfather. I also knew that there was What was your first graduate job? tours to all England’s major cricket test
plenty of work in this area, both in UK and A graduate training scheme with Laing Homes. matches.
abroad.
How has your career progressed since Any advice?
Did you know what you wanted to do when then? Think of the lifestyle you wish to lead. That
you graduated? Completed graduate scheme and focused my should shape your choice of career.
Yes – I had spent 18 months working for an career into land procurement in South West
international civil engineering consultancy, London. George Wimpey acquired Laing Don’t be too specific when you start out. Give
based in the UK. This made me more aware of Homes so I had an opportunity to work for one yourself the opportunity to move job roles, even
the industry. The further qualifications needed, of the largest house builders in the UK. industries to continue your development.
the likelihood of being pigeon-holed into a Although this was great experience, I decided
specific discipline, and the lack of financial to further my career within a small private Always show a willingness to progress your
reward at the end of it all. company. own career.
I was keen to stay in the construction industry I joined a surrey based business called Listen and learn. Do your stint on the basic
but I began looking into salaries and job roles Brookworth Developments who specialise in jobs with the comfort that when the opportunity
to make sure there was something out there ‘grass-roots’ land assembly. I now run my own presents itself, you can step into a higher
that suited my lifestyle and used my strengths. projects throughout the south east of England, position (do a better job) and appreciate it.
sourcing land development opportunities and
How did you approach job hunting when promoting them through the planning system Have fun. Enjoy your first pay cheque!
you graduated? to finally sell on to house builders. Essentially
I applied through existing ties that I and land trading. I work with landowners, solicitors,
Loughborough University had developed in the architects, consultants and agents on a daily
industry. Also had direct approach from basis making no two days the same.
The Accounting and Law Graduate
Degree: Accounting and Law University: Staffordshire University First Role: Customer Services, insurance
industry Current Role: Firefighter, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Why did you choose your degree subject? role through a friend and fell into the ‘Customer travelling and away from home. Then I saw an
After my A levels I wasn’t sure what I wanted to Services’ trap of moving from call center to call advert from the Greater Manchester Fire and
do and I had not quite achieved the grades I centre. Rescue Service. After going through the
required. I knew that I wanted to go to application process for just over a year, I
university and this course became available What was your first graduate job? started with them in January 2007. I have
and seemed like a good option. I have never really had a ‘Graduate Job’ as recently passed out from Training School and
such. I started in what I thought was a temp am now assigned to a station working as a
Did you know what you wanted to do when job and moved from there to other jobs in the Firefighter.
you graduated? same field.
I had no real idea what I wanted to do when I Firefighting was something I had thought of
left university other than I did not want to How has your career progressed since when I was younger but not really pursued as I
pursue a career in what I had studied within my then? wasn’t really sure how to apply in the days
degree. I moved between Customer Service jobs for before online applications and I also felt that I
about 3 years before moving internally within a wasn’t physically fit enough to do the job.
How did you approach job hunting when large insurance company to an IT Training
you graduated? position. I took a further qualification in Training Years later I then saw the advert in the press
I did not really look for a graduate job as such, with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and and just decided to have a go and I was
or anything within the field that I had studied at Development and did this job for quite a while fortunate enough to get my job, which I am
degree level. I got a job in a Customer Services but did not enjoy the amount of time I spent really enjoying.
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