We speak to the new recruits to the Graduate internship scheme as the second cohort finish their first few months.
Date: 17/12/2015
Following an incredibly successful first year, 31 of last year’s London Met graduates have signed up for the University’s graduate internship scheme.
There was plenty of competition for places on the scheme, the aim of which is to give London Met graduates the chance to build experience in a sector they have an interest working in.
Christopher Rudd, intern in the Dean of Students’ Office, says, “After having spent three years at the University as a student I was interested to see how things worked behind the scenes. I am also interested in working within the Higher Education Sector in the future so this scheme was especially appealing as it provides invaluable experience for future job applications.
“In just two months I feel like I have learned so much already and there is plenty of chance to take advantage of extra training, such as the Fire Warden training I have just completed.
“The internship is helping me to build an incredibly strong CV, with all the projects I am working on I am sure that the experiences that I am being afforded will be invaluable in the future.”
How does London Met benefit?
The scheme was introduced by the University’s vice chancellor Professor John Raftery in 2014. One of its aims is to enhance graduate’s chances of securing a job.
Graduates work in areas such as marketing, PR, graphic design, CASS projects, student experience development and governance support.
The scheme also allows managers to access fresh ideas in their department.
Each placement was advertised and 125 graduates applied for a total of 31 roles. Candidates were narrowed down and interviewed and line managers selected who would be successful.
All internships are full time and are paid at the London Living Wage, which has recently increased.
Why run the internship?
“The internships help graduates gain employability skills over a nine month period,” says Neelam Thapar, Head of Careers and Employability.
All placements are supported by a “programme of training and development,” she says. Graduates are given the chance to build on people skills; teamwork and communication, as well as specialist skills; software training and business literacy.
