Graduate scheme at Together.

Congratulations, you did it! There are so many career opportunities available to you after your university journey is finished – at Together, we’re seeking individuals who want the opportunity to gain a wide range of experience across a growing business.

Throughout the interview and onboarding process, I found the Academy’s approachability and clear communication greatly eased the experience, enhancing the welcoming culture at Together.

I can now share that Together values enthusiasm for its mission and core values, so be sure to highlight this in your interview. Research is just one part of the equation; the other part (though it may sound simple) is to be yourself!

From day one, it was clear that this wasn’t just about learning technical skills - it’s a well-rounded programme designed to develop both professional and personal growth. The programme has been incredibly collaborative and supportive. Whether through networking events, mentorship opportunities, one-to-ones, I have felt encouraged to ask questions, develop new skills and challenge myself. It's massively helped me build my confidence, improve my problem-solving skills and develop a commercial mindset.

I have felt encouraged to ask questions, develop new skills, and push myself, significantly boosting my confidence and cultivating a commercial mindset.

The graduate programme has been a transformative experience for my professional development, skilfully integrating technical training with opportunities for personal growth, and I feel like I’m just beginning my career journey.

I have learnt that actively asking and receiving feedback is such a strength. Initially, I was a bit hesitant to seek feedback from my team members, worrying it might highlight my shortcomings or faults. And this is something I’m going to keep practicing, as I keep moving forward at Together. The learning curve can be steep, but every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Each day brings new knowledge that inspires me to keep going. The programme is extensive, offering numerous benefits from the experience if you take full advantage of it. I'm grateful for the support from the Academy team, who are there to assist in my growth during the initial years at Together, as well as at the start of my career.

As a diverse business, there are possibilities for growth and development at every turn. Always be open to new experiences but remember that it’s your responsibility to seize these opportunities - no one else can do it for you.

Describe your time in the academy in three words:

1. Motivating
2. Challenging
3. Rewarding

I have now transitioned from the Academy directly into a new role (not that I wasn’t working prior).

I was always entrusted with responsibility and given opportunities; the graduate programme simply accelerated my growth.

The lessons I learned have stayed with me - it boosted my confidence, providing support as I tried new things and sought feedback to continue my success.

At times, I've found it challenging to apply theory to real-world situations. While the theoretical knowledge has been beneficial for my development, I’ve had to learn how to adapt my thinking and turn concepts into practice. It all comes down to giving everything your best effort and embracing opportunities, a principle I continue to keep in mind every day.

The Academy looks slightly different now to the time I spent in it – I had the opportunity to rotate around different areas of the business, all the way from HR to Treasury to IT. This offered me a holistic view of Together, and I have to say the best thing about my years in the graduate program was the variety of experiences. It’s an offering that’s rare to find in corporate jobs.

When I rolled off the programme, I took my learnings and experiences with me – I always tried to be positive and up for anything. I made a point of making connections and reaching out to key leaders and other influential individuals around the business. I wanted to be at the front of their minds when opportunities arose.

This benefitted me massively, but I learnt that it could also trip me up. I found it difficult to manage the expectations of those around me. I never wanted to let anyone down, but I had to learn how to manage expectations and set realistic and timebound outcomes. And learning this lesson helped me progress even further.

To any future or current graduates or apprentices, I would always tell you, whilst you’re taking your first steps on your career ladder, networking is key! Together is, above all else, a people business. It’s a core part of our lending model and it extends out into every aspect of the business. Make the most of the open-door policy to connect with people and reach out if you think there might be an opportunity available to you. Don’t wait to be approached - just network, network, network.

I would also say don’t be too selective either. Some opportunities may not look 100% up your street, but these will have benefits that are not immediately obvious (hidden gems, you could say). There is so much going on at Together, just get involved and stick your hand up, as you never know what it may lead to.

From application to interview and then gaining a position here at Together, the best thing to look back on has always been the experiences and bonds I built. The team I manage now makes me extremely proud, and it is a complete privilege to be their leader – and I wouldn’t have had my career journey without the Academy.

Ready to take the first step on to the career ladder?