First job as a Graduate - Kat's story

When Kat joined Better Working Futures, she met with Employment Adviser Darren, who got to know her previous experience, job interests and health conditions. Kat shared that she has pilocytic astrocytoma and posterior fossa syndrome, which has resulted in her needing to use a wheelchair.

Kat shared with Darren that she had struggled with mental health challenges, anxiety, and depression, which was based around perceived and actual rejection regarding job opportunities.

Darren told us: “With low self-confidence, Kat felt she had little to offer to an employer and that her disability was often the first thing employers noticed, rather than an ambitious and intelligent young woman with a first-class honour’s degree in Marketing and Advertising Management. My role as her Employment Adviser was to help her to feel more confident and identify roles that would suit her skills and her circumstances. Kat was able to access a range of employability and wellbeing support as part of the Better Working Futures service. I'd also be on hand to help arrange accessibility or flexibility arrangements with any new employer for Kat.”

Kat shared: “As a new graduate I thought it would be easy to get a job, but I was wrong. After sending hundreds of unsuccessful applications, my Work Coach at Jobcentre Plus put me in touch with Darren at Reed in Partnership, who did so much to help me look for jobs to suit me.

“Whilst attending Better Working Futures, I continued my job search and had an interview with a non-profit organisation, for a role which sounded so exciting, Marketing Coordinator. I never thought I would get this role after so many rejections, but I did!

“I now have a PAYE job that I love, thanks to Darren and the team at Better Working Futures. I'd like to thank Better Working Futures as I wouldn't be where I am today without their help, especially Darren!”

Kat is now working from home in a social media marketing role for a known jobsite.

Better Working Futures continues to provide in work support for Kat as she starts her new career. More importantly, she has newfound confidence in herself and her future career and business dealings.