If you are clear about your career goals, industry culture and have a strong vision of where you see yourself in five years’ time, then a graduate program can fast track your career and get you where you want to go.

Graduate programs are often specifically designed in conjunction with the course of study offered by your learning institution. They are planned and structured with clear expectations of what an employer expects from an employee and the trajectory that an employee’s role in the company will take.

If making a commitment to a graduate program feels a little bit daunting, this is only natural. But when you consider the benefits, you may find that pursuing anything else just is not a sensible use of your time.

Supports and Fosters Wellbeing

Graduate programs provide you with support. The value in this support cannot be overstated.

While we are in the fold of a learning institution we are looked after, whether we realise this or not, by a complex co-operative system. Teachers, team members, policies, designs, theoretical frameworks and methodologies are working together to provide a coherent process of development for us.

But out in the workforce, structured support is not necessarily always available.

New graduates who have satisfied every level of their responsibilities as a student may not necessarily meet with satisfying job prospects. The reality of the workplace is that when you are starting out, you are at the bottom of the ladder, no matter how well you may have known your subject academically.

This can be encouraging and many things can be learned from approaching life with a beginner’s mind. But there is also a downside. When a working environment is not able to make use of the skill set you have and cannot provide the opportunity for you to further develop that skill set, you can start to lose connection with your career goals.

Unfortunately, in today’s competitive career culture, before long people can fall behind, and skills that have not been used for 12 months, may already be regarded as obsolete.

Targeted Development Opportunities

A graduate program will take you under the company’s wing and offer you the support, training and mentoring we all need to make the most of our skills. Graduate programs are not just about remembering how to do the things you learnt as a student, but further development as well.

Feeling supported in your workplace is one of the key factors in job satisfaction. Support builds confidence, wellbeing, motivation and productivity. This means you are more likely to excel in your duties and progress further along your career path when you feel supported. You will have access to industry-specific information, and be provided with a range of vocational experiences that will help you to consolidate your career dreams.

You will make valuable professional connections and be given the opportunity to develop leadership skills.

Those who are fortunate enough to embark on a graduate program at the beginning of their careers are more likely to find themselves exactly where they wanted to be in five years’ time and this can be incredibly rewarding. It can also make the best possible use of the years of hard work and expense you have invested in your education.

If you would like guidance, training or current information on graduate programs or any other career advice, NotedCareers can help. Contact us today on 03 9670 8144.