We hear from Springpod user and student, Ayesha, as she tells us what she looks for from an employer when it comes to "Diversity & Inclusion"

Let’s get started. My college has sent me countless reminders about the looming application deadline for university, it’s time I finally got to it! If I’m honest, I’d much rather find a degree apprenticeship - earning a salary whilst I study for a professional qualification at a company that will look great on my CV, what’s not to like? 

Finding the right company can be a frustrating process, it can even be complicated and misleading. Applying to a company is only the first hurdle, next you’ve got to ask whether they are right for you (as a person and not just an employee) - it’s challenging!

For all the college and 6th form students thinking of apprenticeships or jobs, this blog is to help you choose who to work for. Good luck!

1. Check the location

There have been countless times where I’ve gotten really excited about a potential apprenticeship, only to find that at the bottom of the page, in small print, that as an apprentice I would be required to travel “across all regions” as part of the day-to-day job. I’m from the North West, so travelling to London or Glasgow every week would be nothing short of a miracle.

2. See whether their advertisement actually matches the stats.

We want to see people who look like us in charge and making decisions. Ever since “diversity and inclusion” have been popular buzzwords, it’s become increasingly difficult to see whether firms/organisations really are diverse. Doesn't make much sense? I’ll give you an example of what it feels like.

Photos on the company website showing people of all races and identities working together on team projects are often the result of targeted photo shoots. It’s best instead, to have a look at gender and ethnicity gap reports: they show how progressive a workplace is, as you can see how many women, disabled people or ethnic minorities are in senior positions. This is important because it allows you to see over time what the company has done to be more inclusive, and whether its policies have changed as a result.

3. Contact someone who works at the final few companies you’ve narrowed your choices to

Make sure you’ve attended at least a few webinars or events from the organisation to get a feel for the working environment. From there you can email current apprentices or graduates if you have any burning questions about the work culture, job requirements, or work-life balance.

Before year 12, I had no idea what LinkedIn was for, but now I’ve been able to contact people from all over the country to ask questions and give advice. It’s for extending your professional network and making connections that can help progress your career. Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out to others who have been there and done it; there’s always someone who’s willing to help!

To learn more about what students want from employers in the workplace - download our report below, which includes the full survey responses from over 3300 students.

Download our free "Diversity & Inclusion" Report for Employers.