JADE: Digital Skills & Employability Graduate

Jade: Digital Skills & Employability Graduate

*To protect identities, images are not specific to the stories and names may be changed.

Jade’s Journey to The Social Switch Project:

When Jade joined the Digital Skills & Employability Programme in October 2024, she was feeling disheartened and unsure of how to move forward. Despite holding a degree in Software Engineering, she had been out of work for over a year and had started to lose confidence in her ability to break into the tech industry. 

She described feeling as though a career in IT was a distant dream. Having applied for countless roles with little success, she had started to question her value in the job market. What she needed was support navigating the next steps, building up her confidence, and identifying a pathway that could lead her to a role in a field she was passionate about. 

Finding Jade Support:

Through regular one-to-one sessions with her Career Mentor, Jade received consistent, personalised guidance to help her get back on track. Together, they focused on strengthening her job search skills, reviewing her CV and cover letter, improving her interview techniques, and identifying opportunities that matched her skills and goals. 

To help ease her back into the workplace and rebuild her confidence, her career mentor encouraged Jade to apply for roles that would provide valuable experience, including apprenticeships. After connecting with recruiters in the education sector, she was offered an interview for a Business Administrator apprenticeship at a local school. She went on to complete a successful trial shift and was offered the role. 

While working in this position, Jade remained focused on her long-term goal of transitioning into the tech industry. She took part in networking events through the Inspiring Connections programme and engaged in mentoring sessions with professionals already working in the IT sector. These experiences helped her rebuild confidence, widen her professional network, and stay motivated. 

Not long after, she was invited to interview for a Software Developer position at a facilities management company. With support from her career mentor to prepare, she impressed at the interview stage and secured the role. 

Outcomes:

Jade is now working full-time as a Software Developer; a role directly aligned with her degree and long-term ambitions. The progress she’s made is a testament to her determination, resilience, and belief in her own ability. 

Reflecting on her journey, she shared: 

“Thank you so much for your support and for believing in me from the start. I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way because of your help, and I’ll be sure to make the most of them.” - Jade  

Find Out More:

  • Learn more about our Digital Skills & Pre-Employability Programme here

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