“So what do you study again?” “What are you going to do with that?” “Are there currently jobs in that?” “My husband has always said…”
We’ve all been through the typical MI5-style interrogation about our futures at awkward family gatherings, by older co-workers at part time jobs and by old friends in the street. If you’re anything like me, you’ve just shrugged them off of with a smile and nervous laugh about seeing what the future holds and having plenty of time to think.
Unfortunately, we don’t. I don’t need to tell you about the state of graduate employment in today’s economic climate. We’ve all heard it on the radio, on the TV, in the streets, from careers advisors and, oh yeah, our parents.
But how much of this is our fault? Are we ignoring the opportunities on our doorstep?
I took the plunge and decided that it’s time to get real. I am already a member of the ‘Bright Futures’ society Facebook page so I looked up their next event, clicked attending and checked what the dress code was (Trust me, always do this!)
I dragged myself across town, in the cold, to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, relying on hazy memories of attending a Frankie and Benny’s interview as an ickle first year and Google maps on my phone.
After finding the right room (it’s always good to check this, especially when in posh hotels) and having a minor disagreement with the hot water machine, I sat down with a cup of tea and flicked through the graduate careers brochure on a nearby table. As a Politics student and a bit of a social activist, Tesco was definitely not one of my personal top choices for a graduate recruiter. I’m not the biggest fan of their shopping experience and I cringe at their ethics even more. However, it’s constantly expanding and keeps food on the tables of millions of homes across the country. I decided to keep my mind open and mouth shut. After all, I need a job and in front of me was a glossy page about a rather interesting looking role in Corporate Affairs.
The afternoon consisted of getting into teams of people and thinking of a new product. We then had to create a presentation about its USP (unique selling points – jargon of the day!), marketing and finances from start to sale. Product ideas ranged from international food hampers, to takeaway lunchtime boxes to an in-store smoothie maker. Tesco employees, who had all graduated from Leeds and been through the graduate scheme, then judged us and decided on a winning product – for which the winning team won £100 worth of Tesco vouchers each.
Was it worth it? Definitely. I learnt a lot about the process of taking ideas and turning them into a professional business idea. It also stretched our imaginations and forced us to work as teams with people we had only just met. These are both skills that are vital for any workplace.
As well as the free food and drink, the event also provided some very good advice and insights into the company from the Tesco employees there. They had all been in our shoes and were more than happy to help answer any questions we had.
In all honesty, I can’t see myself applying to the Tesco Graduate Scheme, as I have decided that it wouldn’t suit me as a person. However, the day was worthwhile and surprised me in how much I enjoyed being challenged to do things I had never done before. There was, of course, the added bonus of being in with the chance of winning £100 worth of vouchers. If things like that don’t entice you to try out these events, maybe the prospect of graduate unemployment will. After all, all there is to lose from having a go is a little bit of your time and a lot of your imagination.
All images courtesty of Salik Khan