Kickstart Provides a Gateway into Employment for Recent Graduate Isobel
Despite attaining a first-class degree, Isobel, like countless of other young university graduates, struggled with entering the workplace during the pandemic. However, with the assistance of the Kickstart Scheme, Isobel was offered the opportunity to work with the Bristol City Robins Foundation.
After graduating from a degree in English Literature, Isobel had to endure over 6 months of strenuous job searching, applying to ‘hundreds of jobs’, including admin, reception, and supermarket jobs, with mostly no replies and no encouragement.
“I was told by employers that I wasn’t experienced enough for graduate/entry level jobs in media. Finding work as a graduate in the middle of the pandemic was impossible, even though I had a first-class degree.”
Isobel’s luck changed when she encountered the Kickstart programme, which provided the perfect opportunity for her to gain exposure to the working environment.
Joining the Bristol City Robins Foundation as a Video Producer, Isobel was driven to finally apply herself within employment. Her role encompassed producing all the promotional and human-impact stories within the community. This involved filming and editing, directing photoshoots, training junior video staff, interviewing players, managers, and even the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees.
“I gained further professional experience as a video producer and as a member of a fast-paced media team. I learned how the world of football media works. It’s given me more confidence in my technical abilities, so I felt qualified when applying for video production jobs.”
Equipped with newfound skills, experiences, and confidence, Isobel is now onto the next chapter, after securing employment with American multinational broadcast company A+E Networks in London.
“I loved working with the Robins Foundation, and I learnt so much. It was great to be given a lot of freedom in my work. When I first started, I felt like I’d been thrown in the deep end, in the best way possible, and because of this, I’ve learnt so much.”
Click here to find out more about Kickstart.
