Grad schemes as a mature student?

[iheartshoes]

Just interested to hear from anyone who joined a grad scheme as a mature student. I am
Currently a SAHM to DD who is 10 months old. Prior to having her I worked as a PA at a variety of investment banks / magic circle law firms in the city but have decided not to go back after maternity leave. I am currently halfway through a degree in History with the OU, due to finish in 2016. I don't want to go back to PA work, always had considered teaching but I have been doing some voluntary work in a school recently and I don't think it is for me - and speaking to the teachers has shown me it's definitely not the family friendly option I naively thought it might be. So I have been looking into grad schemes but would I be considered on an even footing along with the younger grads from more traditional unis ? Are they realistically doable with a family ? I will be 29 when I finish my degree if all goes to plan.

[iheartshoes]

Anyone?

[JanePurdy]

Probably depends a bit on the grad scheme as to how it balances with a young family.

I am on a public sector grad scheme - I began age 29 although I graduated from my postgrad age 26 & spent a few years as sahm. I find that my colleagues generally assume I am a recent graduate, but on the scheme there are plenty of 'mature' entrants & I am not particularly unusual. You have an advantage in the application process with real life experiences to draw on.

[emsyj]

I am on a public sector graduate scheme also - lots of mature applicants (including me! ) - ages of my colleagues on the scheme range from 23 to 47, with plenty of variety in between.

[iheartshoes]

Thank you for your replies - where could I find more info on these grad schemes ?

[glorious]

I was on the civil service fast stream and there are many people who've done something else first (though not necessarily mature students, just career changers). It would be totally doable, the civil service can be very family friendly if you choose the right jobs - I've just been promoted while on mat leave

[glorious]

faststream.civilservice.gov.uk

I should add that everyone should consider mature students because it would be age discrimination not to. Doesn't mean they will of course...

[K8Middleton]

We don't even look at your age. We can't discriminate based on age so look for an organisation who has similar values to you and good feedback from other graduates. You can Google to read feedback online and also look to see if the organisation has graduate blogs you can read to give you a feel for the place and an idea of workload.

[GoodnessIsThatTheTime]

. Curious so following!

[JanePurdy]

I have seen graduate schemes that require you to have graduated within a certain number of years prior but nothing with age restrictions.

[iheartshoes]

This is all very interesting thank you for the links . Hadn't thought of the civil service as a possibly career move !

[recentmaturegrad]

local county council has grad schemes as do newspapers like guardian, amazed at how many expect grads to volunteer though here in london!

[K8Middleton]

This is a good place to start but please make sure you do your homework. Your best chance of success for grad schemes where you are literally one out of hundreds or thousands is to show you have really understood the organisation and you can competently demonstrate what you have to offer to contribute to their organisation.

If I have to read one more application from someone who writes "I am a fantastic leader and I always achieve excellence. I have many skills that would make me the perfect candidate to take your company forward" (or similar) I may scream. It is just utterly meaningless and might get you screen time on The Apprentice but employers want someone more credible and with some evidence of their claims. Particularly when they have a 2:2 from a community college in Nowheresville and cite their outstanding academic record as an example of their outstanding achievements!

I do really love my job. I get to see some amazing candidates and some hilarious applications and I have a great client :)