Graduate Lauren tells us about her experience changing locations and placements
Lauren Baldam
As I’m now over half way through my first placement, it’s coming to that exciting time where I start applying for my next role which begins mid-May!
Before the end of Feb, the 2014 analyst cohort will be given a number of graduate analyst job descriptions put forward by line managers across the business. We have some time to talk to managers about the different roles before submitting a CV for 3 or 4 of the roles that most appeal to us. We are, of course, guaranteed a role for our next placement but this way allows us to keep our CVs up to date and continually improve on interview skills. After leaving the graduate programme, I would expect to move around the business over the course of my career so having interviews now will help ensure that I am equipped with all the necessary skills to compete against other applicants in the future.
The 2014 analyst programme encompasses Exploration & Production, Centrica Storage, British Gas and Power and I’m very excited about the opportunity to work in 3 completely different areas over the course of the next two years.
Already, I’ve had lots of networking opportunities with colleagues from all over the business to give me an idea of where I’d like to go next as well as simply speaking to fellow analysts from current and previous cohorts. One of the best tools that we are provided with in the programme is a buddy from the year above who has already gone through the process and has all the knowledge and experience to guide us in the right direction.
I’m currently based in Windsor and commute from West London but I’m looking forward to potentially having the opportunity to try living in a new city for my second or third placement.
Lauren