Pros
- Meeting like-minded and ambitious grads also on the programme - Opportunity to live abroad and use language skills - Good salary with good perks in market (car, expenses etc.) - Little to no oversight (pro or con depending on your outlook)
Cons
- Long-winded application process (6+ months) and 4 week intense training course can mislead grads about the reality of the role. - Success in the job and day-to-day remit is a complete lottery depending on the country you are placed in- some grads have a support network, progression plan and set-out responsibilities. However, most are left to fend for themselves with little communication from the programme leaders in the U.K. - The 'don't ask, don't tell' culture means as long as you submit a monthly report which outlines 'progress,' you can slip under the radar. This is good if you are happy to do the bare minimum and enjoy perks (see above) but less helpful if you want demonstrable experience for your next career move...which means ultimately you have limited career progression afterwards. - Grad scheme is undergoing aggressive hiring in order to expand rapidly but once in the programme, you are left to your own devices, with the fear that after your 2 years in market, there are increasingly limited positions to apply for within company (which explains the very poor retention rate).