To Grad Scheme Or Not To Grad Scheme

That is the question. So, picture this. You’re in your final year. The options seem endless, but also overwhelming, oppressive, complicated. Everyone will be banging on about Grad Schemes, those coveted places at the biggest law firms, the enormous professional services networks.

That is the question. So, picture this. You’re in your final year. The options seem endless, but also overwhelming, oppressive, complicated. Everyone will be banging on about Grad Schemes, those coveted places at the biggest law firms, the enormous professional services networks.

Let’s unpack that.

 

What are Grad Schemes?

Graduate schemes are structured training programmes, run by an employer with the aim of creating long-term employees. They vary in length, location, and industry. What they tend to share is being oversubscribed – many more people apply for places than those that are available. There are certainly ways that you can make your application stand out – for help with that, try visiting Careers Advice platforms such as Prospects or Target Jobs.

 

Why are Grad Schemes so popular?

There are a lot of reasons why grad schemes are popular amongst final year students:

  • Bridging the gap between being a student and an employee.
  • The company may offer you a permanent job after finishing the scheme.
  • You can learn about different areas that the company is involved in, and try out different things.

 

Why might someone choose not to do a Grad Scheme?

Lots of final years choose not to go down the grad scheme route. If you’ve already got a very specific job in mind, or the opposite (as in, you want to explore a variety of different options), then grad schemes may not feel like the best bet. Grad schemes are also by nature competitive and high pressure, both during the application period and the training scheme itself.

It’s a totally personal choice. Some people may want more freedom than a highly structured programme, whereas some people will value the support and framework that the training offers.

 

If I don’t want to apply to Grad Schemes, or I’m unsuccessful, what are my other options?

So many different options. Like literally, loads.

University culture now can feel highly competitive and comparative, with everyone vying for specific roles at a small number of companies. The world of work is a lot bigger than it can sometimes seem.

You may choose not to go straight into work. Whether you choose to take a belated gap year and do some travelling, or go onto further study, you don’t have to graduate straight into a job.

Not to be horrendously clichéd, but the world really is your oyster. I’ve had friends who have applied for every job they could find, settled on something they would’ve never expected, and loved it. I’ve also had friends who have been highly specific with their applications, and spent some time out of work before finding a job that felt right for them.

If you want to talk through your options with someone, you can book 1-to-1 appointments with the Royal Holloway Careers Service. Remember, if you don’t want to do what everyone else does, don’t be scared to go against the grain.