Gaining back confidence & understanding my worth through Collaborative Future
In this post, Kelly shares her experience of joining our Collaborative Future community, and celebrates her new job as a Junior Learning Designer with one of our small businesses on the programme, Woodgate Consulting.
Kelly looking towards her left with a background of large succulents
I am a 2020 graduate of the Photography BA (Hons) course at Coventry University. During my final year of university, I started to look for paid opportunities; I had spent the last three years gaining unpaid work experience and felt I had the skills and confidence to transition into an 'official' occupation. I had a few ideas of what I did - and didn't - want to pursue, although remained open minded to all opportunities. I have always enjoyed working and having a purpose so knew I would give 100% to any opportunity that came my way.
However, I soon realised the industry was hugely saturated and difficult to access, even before COVID-19.
After 6 long months of job searching and around 100 job applications later, I had secured a few internships which helped build my skills and industry experience. Moreover, I established my own Art organisation, Art Link. This platform aims to bridge the gap between young creatives and paid opportunities in the art sector - the exact frustration I was experiencing. I noticed the Collaborative Future programme on social media and jumped at the opportunity. I was introduced to the lovely Tess over Zoom and interviewed to become an intern on the initiative.
I had started to experience panic attacks during my previous interviews with other companies.
I found Tess to be so friendly and calming, I felt comfortable the entire way through the interview process. It also helped that the questions were provided beforehand! It was the best opportunity that came my way. Almost immediately Tess and Sonia paired me with Amy from Woodgate Consulting to start interning as a Learning Designer. This involved designing interactive learning courses based on a range of topics. Although my main aim was to gain full-time employment, after past experience it seemed unachievable. However, I was absolutely delighted when Amy offered me a full-time contract working as a Junior Learning Designer only six days into the internship! I am so excited to start the work, learn the new software and work alongside Amy - I can see myself enjoying this role due to its diversity and flexibility.
Collaborative Future really does put the interns first and it’s so refreshing to see.
Tess and Sonia work so hard to create an inclusive, flexible and collaborative environment and these benefits can be felt by the interns and businesses involved. I could not recommend Collaborative Future more; they helped me to gain my confidence back and understand my worth as an individual. They made - what seemed like - the impossibility of full-time employment possible and for that, I will be forever thankful.