Top tips from a recent graduate for young professionals starting their careers

For many graduates, life after university can be daunting and graduates may feel unsure about what to expect in their first full-time role, outside of university.  DCMS is an age-inclusive employer and encourages candidates of every age and experience level to apply. DCMS, and the Civil Service as a whole has various vacancies, as well as internships and apprenticeships available for people starting their careers. Therefore it is a very welcoming environment for new graduates looking for their first job.

Mwansomeka talks to us about her experience as a graduate, who joined DCMS a year ago. She talks about her top tips in settling into her role as a Recruitment Coordinator to share with those looking for a new opportunity.

“I remember starting DCMS this time last year, I had no expectations of what full-time work might look like, especially within the Civil Service. However, joining DCMS was a great experience - the welcome I received and support I was offered helped me settle into the world of full-time work with ease. Some things which helped me in my first few months, and  therefore practical tips I would share are: 

1. Asking Questions - I asked a lot of questions! During the helpful training and onboarding process, there was a lot of new information I had to take in. Asking questions and asking for help and guidance helped me settle into my role quickly. Try to push past any nerves associated with asking for help - in my experience people will respect you for demonstrating an interest and asking for more detail or for help - it pays off in the end!
2. Get to know your team -  Setting aside time to get to know my team members was helpful for me because I could then engage effectively in my role as I felt comfortable communicating with my team members. I tried my best to know my team personally too and be an active part of the team culture. This made my time at work more enjoyable and kept me motivated when there were periods when work was tough.
3. Rest - I cannot emphasise this enough! It can be tempting to jump head first into a new role and use all available hours in the day to get up to speed, however this can easily cause burnout! DCMS is committed to the wellbeing of their staff and encourages employees to take the time they need to avoid burnout and sustain a positive work-life balance.  Make sure you use and enjoy your lunch break, talk to your colleagues and take that time for you. Taking breaks always re-energise me and leads to better productivity afterwards.
4. Be curious - One thing about me; I love to get stuck in. Being curious about my workplace and what it offered enabled me to network, learn new skills and engage in projects outside of my comfort zone and outside of my ‘normal’ daily responsibilities. Being curious also meant, I could find out about the array of staff networks DCMS has to offer and learn about the staff events to get involved as a new starter and training sessions available to learn new skills.
5. Speak to your colleagues -  Remember your team members are always there to support you and can offer advice to you as a young professional entering the world of work. Reach out to people you feel comfortable speaking to and ask about their experiences.

There is so much more I could say but these tips in particular helped me settle into my role as a graduate and young professional.”

Whether you are seeking your first role, or are perhaps returning to work after a period away, make sure you use these tips when you start a new role. To see what opportunities DCMS currently has on offer, click here.