What exactly is a graduate scheme?
Something you might not know, a graduate scheme is a slightly different breed to a graduate job. A graduate scheme is a graduate training programme within a company which will last a set amount of time – normally one to two years. They’ll introduce you to the company, often by placing you in various different departments or by asking you to complete some assessments along the way. There’s a high possibility that this will lead on to a full time job within the organisation, but it isn’t guaranteed.
A graduate scheme is a graduate training programme within a company which will last a set amount of time. In comparison, a graduate job is exactly what it says on the tin – a normal job.
In comparison, a graduate job is exactly what it says on the tin – a normal job, often continuing indefinitely, and you’ll be thrown straight into your role from the get-go. Most major companies will run a graduate scheme, and as your first job role, a graduate scheme is an ideal way to get your foot in the door. But that doesn’t mean they’re not competitive – because they are. And you have to be quick off the mark to bag the best places.