CIMA student Laura tells us about her first month working at Virgin Media on the company’s finance graduate scheme
My first month at Virgin Media.
It’s coming to the end of my first month as a graduate at Virgin Media and it has literally flown by! It all started with an induction at a gorgeous hotel near the Hook office. This was great fun as we got to meet graduates from different schemes and learn about the company and its core values without jumping straight into the office.
After learning a lot during the day, Virgin Media got us all together for a social in the evening – pizza, beer and bowling, what else could you want after your first day? It was really good fun getting to know everyone and find out who is secretly really competitive…
On the Wednesday I started in the office. I didn’t feel too nervous because I knew I’d be bumping into some of the graduates I’d met at the induction and I’d already found out something amazing about the company culture – everyone has the time of day to help and talk to you if you need it. On top of that, I guess it didn’t feel totally new and scary because throughout the summer, Virgin Media made a real effort to stay in touch and help us feel prepared for what was about to come.
The first two weeks were challenging, I felt at times I would never be able to learn the acronyms, speak the jargon and be able to complete my role without pestering the previous graduate! But now just under four weeks in, I arrive at work and I just get stuck into it. It’s unbelievable how fast you pick it up, settle into your team and start to add value to your role.
Adjusting to life after university can be hard, the days feel longer (because you actually have to get out of bed…), and moving away can be terrifying. I am based in Hammersmith and the thought of moving to London excited me but also made me feel a bit anxious. I didn’t know if it would be too busy, if I would miss home, if I would be able to afford it… but it truly is amazing. I am never bored, actually, when I get an hour where I’m not doing anything I make the most of it because life in London just doesn’t seem to stop – it’s so exciting!
So my advice to a new starter is to talk to anyone and everyone, get stuck into your role, ask loads of questions, don’t feel daft if you don’t understand and most importantly, make sure you get enough sleep!
