Graihagh Kelsey - My Step Experience

Why did you apply for the Step Programme?

I study philosophy at the University of Cambridge, which definitely doesn’t lend itself to a straightforward career path! Due to this, I felt I had learnt so many useful skills from my degree, but wasn’t sure how I could transfer these into a career I would enjoy. I applied for the Step Programme because I was excited by the prospect of my skills being matched to a project in an office environment. The Step Programme provided me with this first-hand experience of a working environment, whilst being tailored to my skills enough to be far more enriching and useful than a typical internship placement. Having a project complex enough to span the whole 8 weeks was also a big factor for me; I felt my skills were not only being developed for my own gain, but that I was actually providing meaningful work to my organisation.

Where did you complete your placement and what was your project about?

I was placed with Locate Isle of Man, within the Department of Enterprise. My project was involved with looking at how best to enable young professionals to return, relocate or remain on island, and I was tasked with creating and distributing a survey to understand more about the employment market for young professionals, and then analysing these findings and making recommendations. This was a very interesting project, with enough different elements to develop a number of vastly different skills, from data analysis and report writing to survey design and planning.

What are the benefits of the Step Programme for students?

The Step Programme provided me with so many benefits. It is incredibly useful for my career development – the skills I learnt will really help my CV stand out. More than that, though, it provided invaluable experience of the professional world that I have not received in other internships. Having my very own project meant I learnt to be very self-sufficient; I was completely responsible for managing my time, prioritising my tasks, meeting deadlines and ensuring my work met standards. This was a much more mature approach to work experience than I have previously encountered, and not only not did this give me a more realistic experience of the working world, it improved my confidence and self-reliance significantly. Ultimately, the Step Programme is a brilliant opportunity to foster your self-development, and to gain experience of a professional environment that most university students aren’t fortunate enough to have; the benefits of this to my CV and career trajectory are immense.

How did you settle into your placement?

I was incredibly lucky to have a brilliant line manager who immediately made me feel comfortable in the department, and ensured I understood my project, as well as the expectations and objectives. The guidance I received from her was invaluable, and she took care to make sure that our professional relationship was that of a true partnership, rather than a traditional host/student dynamic. This really gave me the space to flourish, and was also just an incredibly enjoyable office environment to come into every morning! I can’t credit her enough for my progress within this project. The wider team in Locate were also very welcoming, and always ready with advice and contacts to help me both in my project and with my wider career development.

Would you recommend the Step Programme to other students?

I would absolutely recommend the programme. It is a brilliant opportunity to foster the skills from your undergraduate degree, alongside learning a host of new abilities to enhance your CV. Gaining industry experience in a professional environment, particularly an environment which your skills have been matched to, is a rare opportunity and one which I am very grateful for.