My experience of the Barnsley Graduate Accelerator Programme

The aim of the Graduate Accelerator Programme was explained to me in very simple terms – get a group of graduates who are at a loose end trying to find a job, and introduce them to local businesses, with the aim of facilitating their transition into work. After two weeks of the course, I would be stood in front of these businesses, giving them a presentation on why I was worth taking on.

I wouldn't say I had low expectations, but simply, I didn't really have any. It seemed more worthwhile than sitting at home navigating the employment catacombs of Indeed and Monster. Programme leader Bobby Singh had a somewhat mystical air, appearing to be the South Yorkshire equivalent of Mr Kurtz from Heart of Darkness ("Oh, he's an incredible man" – a genuine quote from a job centre staff member). The only difference being that he hasn’t absconded to the Belgian Congo and surrounded himself with GAP applicants in his own makeshift kingdom (yet).

I was more daunted by the idea of my first day of the course than I would’ve thought. It was very much like the first day of school, if your classmates were all unemployed twenty-somethings; would everyone be so dejected that they wouldn't talk to one another? Would they want to make friends, considering that I was there for the same jobs that they were? Would they like my shoes?

Thankfully, my initial caution was instantly cast aside by the refreshing honesty with which our group communicated with one another. There was a real sense of camaraderie borne out of empathy – our backgrounds varied dramatically, but every time someone spoke they echoed my thoughts explicitly. As a result, I’ve formed stronger bonds over the past two weeks than I did with some of the people I came into contact with every day for three years of University.

This culture of honesty was unusual at first – I generally prefer to stick my heart in my pocket rather than wear it on my sleeve – but has meant that, despite the short length of the programme, every second has been rewarding. The journey trumps the destination, and over the course of the GAP I’ve learnt a lot about myself – or rather, learnt to consciously analyse behaviours that I previously felt were unchangeable or inconsequential.

So now I’m an INTJ (according to Myers-Briggs) – an introvert, who prefers to deal with possibilities rather than fact, decides logically, and appreciates organisation – and seek compromise in conflict situations (Thomas-Kilmann).

 I’ve also learnt a great deal of practical knowledge – how to deal with interviews and presentations, how to engage employers while remaining unique, and how to utilise social media on both a business and a personal level. But the understanding that I’ve gained regarding myself and how I interact with others, is what has most impressed upon me. The boost I’ve gotten from the programme has been significant – it’s even motivated me to finally write this blog.

By the day of the presentations, I was confident that what I had learnt, and the feedback I had received from my peers and our esteemed mentor, had left me suitably prepared to make my case to the gathered businesses on why they should give me a job. There was such a pleasant atmosphere on the day that the dozen or so presentations breezed by in a wave of utter positivity.

There was an opportunity after the presentations for a chance to ‘network’ with the representatives that came – a chance to see who was interested in who, and what kind of roles were available. This period showed the undervalued improvement that positive comments make to your sense of wellbeing. It was very welcome to hear that your presentation had been interesting, and that no one noticed you stumbling over your words. These kinds of comments are something which you simply don’t hear while job hunting – you get so used to hearing why you weren’t offered the job, that you lose focus of the parts of the interview that you completely nailed.

From the presentations, and this networking session, I’ve come away with five or six different contacts that I didn’t have before. I’d call that a success, even if nothing comes of any of them. Before Thursday, these people didn’t know I existed.

Advice that I’ve heard repeatedly over the past two weeks is to take opportunities, even if they might not seem consistent with your long-term plans. You might be pleasantly surprised, or you might detest the job you’ve signed up for, but you don’t know either way if you don’t make the decision to try. So now, I’m going to go and make some calls.