What to expect
We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, providing exceptional training and experience over your first two years.
Initial Training Programme
Our Graduate Scheme begins with a bespoke in-house four-week training programme. You’ll do this training with your whole graduate cohort so will get to know them really well whilst you learn everything you need to prepare you for working in an IntoUniversity centre. We’ll train you not only in the programmes that you’ll deliver as an Education Worker but also in our fundraising practices, charity governance and how we develop our long-term strategy.
Joining your centre
After completing this initial training, you will join your team full time. You’ll either be based in one specific centre or working across a number of centres to help support your wider team. You’ll start working with our students straight away – whether team-teaching a cohort of 25 14 year olds from the front of the class, leading a table of eight 9 year olds during a Primary FOCUS Day or working one-on-one with students in Academic Support – no two days will be the same!
Example Week in the Life of an Education Worker
Taking a lead
Once settled into your centre you will either be given responsibility for one of the strands of our programme: Mentoring, Primary FOCUS or Secondary FOCUS – or you will take on a cross-centre role coordinating programmes across several centres. You’ll be liaising with students, teachers and volunteers to ensure your strand is a success and will take a lead on this in your team. Throughout your first year, you’ll receive ongoing training and support and will have regular meetings with your teams, as well as colleagues across the network.
Team-building days and socials
The whole IntoUniversity network comes together for our Staff Conference in March and team-building days in July and December. Our team-building days usually end with a social – a great chance to celebrate the year’s achievements, catch up with colleagues from different centres and cities and take a break before preparing for the year ahead.
Further training opportunities
During both years of the graduate scheme, you will participate in our Leadership, Exploration and Development (LEaD) programme. In your first year, these sessions will allow for self-reflection and setting meaningful goals for personal and professional growth, as well as exploring the mission of IntoUniversity and the crucial role you play within the charity.
In your second year, these sessions will focus on gaining leaderships skills and awareness of your own leadership style as well as developing the skills and knowledge required to be a senior member of staff at IntoUniversity.
Becoming a Senior Education Worker
After completing the first year of the scheme you may apply for a promotion to Senior Education Worker. If successful, you’ll take on additional responsibilities such as taking a lead on training volunteers or developing our educational partnerships.
Your ongoing career development
As we’re an expanding organisation, new job roles and promotions are regularly available. You might want to apply for a Centre Leader role, where you’ll run your own centre, line-managing your team and making sure your centre meets its targets. Some of our delivery staff have taken up roles at our Head Office team or as part of our Cross-Centre team, allowing them to gain experience in an entirely different area of the charity. You don’t need to wait until you complete the Graduate Scheme to apply for promotions – if we advertise a role and you meet the criteria, your application will be welcomed.
