The big news is you're moving on - it’s a time for celebration!

But it’s also a time of transition and uncertainty for some, and my hope is we can help you navigate the uncertainty of the next steps. When you leave university, you may feel you should have a grand career plan in place. But it’s important to remember that small steps and stepping stones are still progress.

You're not alone

My daughter Alys is currently fielding career questions from well-intentioned friends and family members. “So, what are you going to do next with that degree? What are your career plans?” She feels like she should know. But she doesn't, not yet, and that’s ok.

If you’re graduating this summer looking for your first role or you’re about to start a placement year or internship, you’re definitely not alone if you feel:

• Untethered and out of your comfort zone
• Unclear about the unique value only you can bring
• Unsure if you can offer the skills and experience you think you might need
• You wish you had more work-based practical experience.

Windows of opportunity

Join us this summer for the Work in Progress 'Engagement Academy'. It's a week-long programme, aimed at shifting your status quo.

This isn't a 'sit back with your cameras off' opportunity. It's an immersive learning-by-doing programme, in which we'll be ditching individualism and comparison, and valuing what everyone brings to our social learning space.

We'll be joined by current and past students and WIP alumni to share their experimental and bumpy roads to finding their direction. You’ll join a group of learners from all subject areas about to hit the world beyond university.

You’ll learn to:

• Explore your ‘learning by doing capabilities’ (We call these Entrecompetencies)
• Enhance your self-awareness and self-belief
• Develop creative and collaborative confidence to work with others
• Develop commercial awareness and confidence with business
• Heighten your team culture awareness and mindset
• Explore and practice with tools for project discovery and delivery
• Develop evidence of reflective practice and narratives for future CVs.

Here’s what a previous participant had to say:

"I would encourage others to apply for the programme as it provides the opportunity for both personal as well as professional development. If you love to learn and grow as a person, then this is the place for you!"

You’ll leave feeling pleased you took action to explore. You’ll have more confidence and clarity about what you bring and can contribute, and you’ll feel more easily engaged with the uncertainty of the next steps of 'project you'. This opportunity, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is also open to placement year students, and Work in Progress particularly encourages interest from widening participation backgrounds.

Your next small steps

Please leave your details here and we will be in touch when applications open.