Graduate schemes are a steep learning curve. My first week on the Unilever Future Leaders Programme (UFLP) was a flurry of new faces and places. It took time to catch up and process everything I'd learned, but since then I've got right down to business.
I couldn't quite believe that within days of starting my placement, I was sitting down with my line manager, discussing my objectives for the six months ahead. "What have I let myself in for?" I thought. I defy any graduate not to feel a little daunted at this point.
Even in the first days, I was going meetings – where projects were an enigma and acronyms whizzed right over my head – and I was even asked to lead projects with PhD scientists, who have been in the business for years. When they said there would be real responsibility from day one, they weren't lying.
But once my pulse had settled, excitement took its place once again. Would I rather shadow colleague for weeks, filing and doing mundane tasks, or have my own responsibilities and a genuine impact? It was clearly the latter, after all, the programme is a route for people who want to fast-track their career, so being stretched is always going to be part of the job.
The level of challenge is just about right thanks to my support network. As well as my manager, I also have a 'buddy' and 'contact manager', both of whom joined the company as graduates and can relate to my experience. While the onus is on me to ask for guidance when I need it, I've been surprised by how happily people will give up their time to help, regardless of their position, department, or how busy they are.
Knowing that I have support means I feel confident to attend meetings and contribute. Now I work with experts from all around the world – currently in Iraq, Iran and Turkey – but my opinion and perspective is welcomed because I proved myself through the selection process. It's just as well that I'm unafraid to contribute, because the programme ends in a couple of months and I'll be leaving to start something new. With limited placements available, I can't afford to spend weeks shadowing colleagues and learning by watching.
My time on the programme has got me used to getting stuck in from the start, and I can now see much of the logic behind the competency questions I was asked during the application process. I remember being asked to talk about experiences when I overcame a challenge, or was in a difficult situation. Now that I'm on a steep learning curve, in unfamiliar surroundings and needing to make an instant impact, it all makes sense.
On top of what I've been doing in the lab and office, I'm also a junior campus manager, which means spending time back at university, speaking to students to explain what life on the UFLP is like and how to conquer the application process. It's funny to think that I'm so new in my job, yet already representing the company. I never thought I'd ever get a place on the graduate programme, so I want to show other students that the application is worth a try.
Amy Graham is a research and development graduate on the Unilever Future Leaders Programme
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