Claire C.
About me
| Claire C. | |
| Sociology | |
| Sociology | |
| Undergraduate | |
| 2013 |
My employment
| Charityworks Graduate Trainee | |
| Family Action (as part of Charityworks) | |
| United Kingdom | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 |
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A day in the life of a Charityworks Graduate Trainee in the United Kingdom
My career history
After graduating from University in July 2013, I had a variety of part-time jobs over the summer in order to earn extra money. My Charityworks placement started in September 2013, and involves a 12-month placement at Family Action in London.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I'd like to try a variety of roles within the Charity Sector in order to decide which ones suit me best.
My advice to students considering work
I think the thing that helped me the most was volunteering. Taking part in voluntary work, either in York or elsewhere during the holidays, will develop so many skills that can then be discussed in an interview or used as examples. I think this is beneficial for all sectors, but particularly for those interested in charity work as it is also a way to demonstrate your passion for a particular cause.
If you are still trying to decide on a career area, I would recommend emailing somebody who does that job and asking to shadow them at work for a few days. This will give you an insight into what is involved on a day-to-day basis, enable you to ask any questions you might have and provide you with a contact who might also be useful in the future! Make sure you do this while you are at University, as it is very difficult to fit in once you have a full-time job.
My advice about working in my industry
If you are still trying to decide on a career area, I would recommend emailing somebody who does that job and asking to shadow them at work for a few days. This will give you an insight into what is involved on a day-to-day basis, enable you to ask any questions you might have and provide you with a contact who might also be useful in the future! Make sure you do this while you are at University, as it is very difficult to fit in once you have a full-time job.
What I do
I work in HR for three days per week and in Business Development for the other two days.
In HR I am responsible for internal communications, for example compiling the staff newsletter and writing fortnightly bulletins. I also co-ordinate a project called the 'Ideas Bank', which on a day-to-day basis involves logging applications, purchasing a variety of items and liaising with those who have submitted ideas. Other tasks really vary, for example updating our internal policies or helping to address workforce diversity.
My role in Business Development mainly involves background research into the services we might bid for in the future, and helping to collate information so that it is easy to use when bids are being written.
Alongside these I have two Charityworks learning sessions per month, involving three assignments during the year.
What I like most
The work I do around workforce equality and diversity.
What I like least
The long commute from where I live.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Claire’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Claire a message to find out more about their career journey.