Career Coaching: Robyn

Did you undertake coaching in your final year or after graduation?

I signed up for career coaching in my final year at university. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do long-term or short-term, but I was determined to have a job sorted for after graduation. However, I had very little job experience under my belt and had been unsuccessful in several job interviews when looking for part-time work. I am autistic and found the pressure of networking and job interviews entirely overwhelming, and had very little confidence in my ability to secure employment. I signed up for career coaching, hoping to improve my interview skills and create a good first impression on employers.

Where were you in relation to your career planning/making applications before you applied for career coaching? 

I had begun applying for graduate jobs and grad schemes for the following year, but I wasn't very optimistic about my prospects. I was applying for anything and everything that mildly interested me, just desperate to find something.

What did career coaching involve, and how did it help you?

Going into career coaching, I knew that I needed help with job applications and interview skills, as I really struggle with the social skill aspects of interviewing. I lacked confidence in my skills, and couldn't envisage myself thriving in a workplace. When I communicated my concerns to my career coach, she helped me navigate what reasonable adjustments I could request, what types of companies I should be looking to apply to, how to have confidence in my abilities and how to showcase them to employers in a way that felt authentic. Highlighting how my neurodiversity can be an asset to employers rather than a hindrance, as I had previously thought. In the sessions, my career coach helped me navigate several job applications and prepare for interviews and assessment centres. Talking to me through each stage of the grad job process. Throughout the process, I got increasingly confident in talking about my experiences to employers and in requesting the adjustments I needed in the interview process. With help from my career coach, I have secured 2 internship positions and 3 graduate job offers, including from the Civil Service Fast Stream and The Impact Local Government Graduate Programme.

Where are you in relation to your career planning/making applications now? 

I am pleased to say that I have secured a graduate job starting in Autumn 2025. I am unsure of my long-term career goals, but I am excited to start work in the field that I am most passionate about, and I am looking forward to finding out where this position will take me. 

Would you recommend careers coaching to other students and graduates? If yes, why?   

I would definitely recommend careers coaching to students and graduates. In the space of a few months, I went from being unable to envisage myself in full-time employment to having secured employment in my desired field with all the reasonable adjustments I needed to allow me to thrive in work. Something I couldn't have pictured for myself this time a year ago. I am so grateful for the support I have received, and I encourage others to utilise this amazing resource.