deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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I thought it was about time I started looking at graduate jobs etc and start applying.
Some look good, quite well paid, but often don't guarantee a job - you have to apply for any vacancies that are available after you finish the Programme.
There is just one thing concerning me. Graduate Programmes tend to be for a specific company. You learn their ethos, their operating practices & how the company works in general. If you don't get a job with them at the end of the 18 months for example, are you seen as 'damaged goods' by other employers, that you aren't going to be very 'mouldable' etc?!
Has anyone done a Graduate Programme before? Did they say you don't get a guarantee job, but you did have a job at the end of it? When I graduate, I will have over 1 years experience doing what I want to do - is it worth me even doing a Graduate Programme?!
 
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
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all graduate training programs i've seen look shit TBH, i can't find any for engineering.
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tom_simes
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Organiser: South Wales
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Registered: 12th Jan 05
Location: Undy, Newport Drives: Skoda Octavia vRS estate
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De-ja vu.......
But yea, from what I have seen, it all depends on who you do your scheme with - after all, why would any company what so ever want to take on a graduate, give them lots of training and professional career advice, then not use them to their full potential? Doesn't make logical sense to me tbh.
Take for example Atkins, the multi-national engineering design company. From speaking to various people at many different places, pretty much all of them have said it is a brilliant thing to have on your CV, and they would really like take on graduates that have been through the Atkins scheme.
One good reason is the chatership they aim for you to get within four years - effectively meaning you have worked extremely hard and showed your worth during that time.
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tom_simes
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Organiser: South Wales
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Registered: 12th Jan 05
Location: Undy, Newport Drives: Skoda Octavia vRS estate
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quote:
Originally posted by sand-eel
all graduate training programs i've seen look shit TBH, i can't find any for engineering.
You're obviously looking in the wrong places - Atkins, DESG (MoD), Zurich, to name just a few....
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by sand-eel
all graduate training programs i've seen look shit TBH, i can't find any for engineering.
http://www.tateandlyle.com/TateAndLyle/careers/graduate_recruitment_uk/graduate_scheme/default.htm
There's one.
There's more to life than Google.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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I found one Grad scheme (and I don't want people to think I'm only money driven) which paid £27.5k/year. I mean, that is a hell of a wage for a Graduate, who will cost the company money & not essentially make the company any money. For them to not keep you on seems very very strange.
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
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i should have said design engineering.
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Haimsey
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Registered: 8th May 05
Location: Nottingham Drives: Corsa B
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Marcy Marc
White Sport Progress Thread
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Hmmm I think a 80 mile commute 1 way is a bit excessive 
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tom_simes
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Organiser: South Wales
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Registered: 12th Jan 05
Location: Undy, Newport Drives: Skoda Octavia vRS estate
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So move out 
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Haimsey
Premium Member
Registered: 8th May 05
Location: Nottingham Drives: Corsa B
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Youll never regret moving out 
Other than cheap accommodation.
Marcy Marc
White Sport Progress Thread
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M2RTY
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Registered: 25th May 01
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i didnt find any appealing at all
got a real job with real responsibilities
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by tom_simes
So move out
Easier said than done if the Grad job is like £15k/year 
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by deano87
I thought it was about time I started looking at graduate jobs etc and start applying.
Some look good, quite well paid, but often don't guarantee a job - you have to apply for any vacancies that are available after you finish the Programme.
There is just one thing concerning me. Graduate Programmes tend to be for a specific company. You learn their ethos, their operating practices & how the company works in general. If you don't get a job with them at the end of the 18 months for example, are you seen as 'damaged goods' by other employers, that you aren't going to be very 'mouldable' etc?!
Has anyone done a Graduate Programme before? Did they say you don't get a guarantee job, but you did have a job at the end of it? When I graduate, I will have over 1 years experience doing what I want to do - is it worth me even doing a Graduate Programme?!
 this got a bit lost.
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Fad
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Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
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I did one in accounts and got myself part qualified, money was good but job was dull as fuck.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
User status: Offline
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They are hit and miss. I work for a very good company and we have a grad on our team but if I was doing the work he's doing straight out of uni I would be a bit annoyed.
We pay very well though. Starting salary is about £35k and they get a £5k golden handshake too.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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P.s. When I graduated I took my job here as an "experienced hire" because I knew exactly what the job was and I was interested in it rather than applying for a grad scheme where I could pretty much end up doing anything.
[Edited on 04-12-2008 by James]
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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so it basically depends on the scheme then - sounds a bit shit if they don't guarantee a job. Then, you try and get work elsewhere, and no-one will have you.
Worth a pop though, the Motability Operations one I'm applying for is actually quite good.
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Ellis
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Registered: 11th Sep 07
Location: Aberdeenshire
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quote:
Originally posted by sand-eel
i should have said design engineering.
Tried looking in Aberdeen? Good pay for the schemes up here...
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by deano87
I found one Grad scheme (and I don't want people to think I'm only money driven) which paid £27.5k/year. I mean, that is a hell of a wage for a Graduate, who will cost the company money & not essentially make the company any money. For them to not keep you on seems very very strange.
Get on a grad scheme at an investment bank. I can't think of any that pay less than £30k, most are around £35k. Need to be in London though....
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
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the BAE systems graduate program sounds interesting.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by James
quote:
Originally posted by deano87
I found one Grad scheme (and I don't want people to think I'm only money driven) which paid £27.5k/year. I mean, that is a hell of a wage for a Graduate, who will cost the company money & not essentially make the company any money. For them to not keep you on seems very very strange.
Get on a grad scheme at an investment bank. I can't think of any that pay less than £30k, most are around £35k. Need to be in London though....
I hate finance - I would seriously be doing it just for the money, and I don't want a job just for the money, hence why I've gone to Uni so I can choose a career.
Rolls Royce Grad scheme application is a tad tough  would have to relocate to Warwick though
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RCS
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Registered: 26th Jan 05
Location: Lichfield/Dundee
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Most people I have spoken to have got into the engineering industry through graduate programs. Its essentially getting your foot on the bottom of the ladder, once you've done it you can build your way up.
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Ellis
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Registered: 11th Sep 07
Location: Aberdeenshire
User status: Offline
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Most of the graduate schemes up here pay nearly £30k
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RCS
Member
Registered: 26th Jan 05
Location: Lichfield/Dundee
User status: Offline
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Yeah there are lots of graduate oppurtunities in Aberdeen, applied for a few myself.
I'm on £23k for my graduate scheme.
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