An insight into a day in the life of an M&S graduate
In this guest blog post, graduate Jessica Richards shares her experience of working at M&S and recounts on her time at university and how her experience guided her career path and choices.
Whether you’re in your first year or final year, you might be thinking about your future career. It can be difficult to know how to make those first steps into the world of work, what you can do to build your portfolio of experience and how to land a job after graduation.
Working at M&S
I secured a place on the M&S Graduate Scheme in 2021 after completing my degree in Modern History at the University of St Andrews in 2018.
I am currently working on Menswear and Lingerie in the Clothing & Home PR team. My day-to-day activities are varied, and have so far included drafting press releases, responding to media requests, translating figures and stats into compelling reports, attending photo shoots, assisting in the delivery of our seasonal fashion lookbook, and supporting the senior PR team during key milestone events such as our Christmas campaign.
What transferable skills did you develop at the University of St Andrews that you utilise in the workplace?
Copywriting Skills
The University of St Andrews gave me a great opportunity to take part in several extra-curricular activities – including writing for the student newspaper, The Saint. The writing and editing skills I gained during my time at the paper have been invaluable whilst working on my current placement in PR.
Time Management
Additionally, by dedicating time to extra-curricular activities as well as my studies I learned how to manage my time effectively. The same skills apply in the workplace, every day in my current role I work on my daily jobs as well as multiple ad-hoc tasks.
Problem solving and communication
Through many activities including essay writing and group discussions, my history degree refined my ability to construct arguments and communicate findings in a clear manner. This is a vital skill in the workplace when you have to present your work, whether that be to your team or senior leadership.
What did the recruitment process involve and how did you approach your application?
All stages of the recruitment process are held virtually and they consist of an initial application, logic and reasoning tests to demonstrate specific skills for some programmes like Software Engineering, then a video interview and assessment centre, where you take part in a number of exercises to assess your strengths, including an interview and a small group exercise.
I approached my application by researching M&S as a company, ensuring I was clear on why I applied to both M&S and the scheme, and reflecting on my experiences and how I would utilise them in the workplace.
Best tip to take into account when applying for any job
- Tailor your CV depending on the role – make sure you emphasise relevant experiences
- Be clear on what you want before you begin job applications
Top tips to consider when making career choices
Prioritise your own happiness
Try not to get too influenced by the people around you, ultimately this is your career and it’s important you’re pursuing something that will make you happy.
Be patient with yourself
Remind yourself that making career decisions is a tough and challenging process.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
It’s common to change careers, so don’t feel like your early career decisions dictate your whole career.
It’s important to remember…
Don’t fret if you’re feeling overwhelmed with what comes next after your time at university. More often than not, career paths post graduation are not linear- and your first step out of university may not be your ultimate career path. If you make the most of your university experiences and seek opportunities where you can, you’ll develop a plethora of skills that are similar to the ones that Jess demonstrates day-to-day at M&S.
Check out the graduate roles available at M&S.
