Shortly after graduating with a BA in History and Politics in 2018, Zoe Hambridge secured a position as a Graduate Intern at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, followed by entry into the highly competitive Civil Service Fast Stream. Having completed the Fast Stream, she now leads a team in government.
During my time at the University of Kent, I had the opportunity to take on various roles, including assisting with Open Days and Congregations. These experiences honed my leadership, teamwork, communication, and persuasive skills, distinguishing me from other graduates.
Empower (formerly the Work-Study Scheme) was instrumental in shaping my career trajectory. I owe my gratitude to the Empower team, whose tailored advice and unwavering support was pivotal in identifying and bridging my capability gaps. Their expert guidance on crafting standout CVs, compelling cover letters, and mastering interviews allowed me to present myself with confidently and to a high standard.
Zoe adds that in the fiercely competitive graduate job market, it’s easy to feel disheartened.
My strongest recommendation to current students is to actively engage with Empower. This scheme profoundly enhanced my confidence, experience, and motivation. By integrating the scheme’s support with my academic studies, I became more knowledgeable and appealing to employers. Upon graduating, I was excited about entering the job market and I understood the qualities I had and how to communicate these effectively to employers having been equipped with the skills and insights provided by the programme. The Empower team demonstrated exceptional dedication and personalised support, making a substantial impact on my career development. And remember, graduate programmes are just one of the many pathways towards your future career. I was not successful in any graduate programmes I applied for, and instead secured a paid internship, and then went onto a graduate programme later. Each route will offer different skills and experiences, but all of which will better you for whatever your future will bring. Overall, Empower’s support in refining my applications, preparing for interviews, and developing key soft skills was crucial in advancing my career and achieving success in securing the roles I have done.
