With the fad of ‘graduate program’, you will notice organizations today often offer these ‘graduate program’. There are so many for you to choose and trust me, you wouldn’t want to spend too much time to apply every one of it, and end up with a generic answer that hardly make you through the selection process. Instead of spreading your time across to apply all companies’ program, why not take a more focus approach to target the organisations that most likely to suite you the best?
The company, industry and culture of the organisation can have a much bigger impact on your working career then simply landing any graduate job that you may not like or be suitable for.
1. Industry
Students often narrowly thought that the industry you will or wish to be in is equivalent to your field of study. For example, accounting graduates only think of Big 4 and finance graduates only think of banking. Same to all other streams’ graduates who often think that way. But do you realize that the degree that you get is merely function and it is so versatile that you could bring it across most of the industry? For instance, a design student can be involved in retail industry where the student can indulge into the vast variety of marketing and promotion area or a psychology student can be part of a team of change management.
Go for an industry that your passion is in rather than doing it for the sake of it. Do also note that different industry has its own way of operating and business priorities. Make sure you are aware of it and all those align with your personality and interest.
2. Development Opportunities (Soft skills and Technical skills)
One of the distinct factors between graduate programs and entry level job positions is the availability of systematic soft-skills development program. The content of these soft-skills and leadership developments arrangements usually will be delivered to the graduates upon your job commencement so that you are aware of what are you being expected from besides your daily job routine. Different companies have their own agenda in regards to this area as each of the programs are designed to shape and equip the graduates with necessary skills that a company need which also allows graduates to further proceed managerial position of a particular company in future. I have come across graduates who completed one of the big firms in beauty and cosmetic industry being promoted as assistant manager.
Do expects things like workshop, coaching or mentoring programs, projects among fellow graduates (such as CSR projects) and other teambuilding events.
In addition to the soft-skills, you might also want to look at the on-the-job training development opportunities. In graduate program, you will be given the chance to rotate and work in different functions or departments. Make sure you are aware about your role in that department; make a list of your end goals and things you would like to explore while building your connections. It could be the chance for you to realize which business arm that you wish to focus in your career.
3. Organization Culture
For you to be happy and enthusiastic about your job, organization fit is vital and you must know how to determine the organization culture! It is essential for the organization core values align with yours and you will feel much more comfortable and motivated to be in that working environment. So do remember to find out what motivates you (especially in different location that the office based) and make your motivation checklist.
4. Advice from Previous Graduates
Continue from point 3, to know an organization culture even better, ask your seniors or friends who previously have experience in the organization for their journey references and recommendations, so that you can have a glimpse of the actual work life in that organization and also a hint of ‘survival sense’ in that organization. It would be great if you could get names of the executives too, to start to build up the relationship once you are selected and be part of the graduate program.
Pic credit to au.capgemini.com
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