Shakira Fernando

"Over my 6 month placement I picked up plenty of new skills and also partook in a Digital Media course which has taught me a lot more about marketing in general."

Shakira Fernando, Marketing Assistant at Striding Out 

I was always told that if I studied hard and went to University, I would be rewarded with a good job at the end of it.

I did as I was told.  I did my GCSEs, A Levels and finally went onto do my BA degree in Journalism and Cultural Studies.  After spending my summer abroad, I came home to start applying for jobs.

I thought it might take a few weeks, maybe a few months for some feedback.  However, after a year of unemployment, life became incredibly depressing.  I was sent on a course by the job centre and wondered what went wrong.  I had done a countless amount of unpaid work placements in the media world ranging from Kerrang! Magazine to GMTV.  However, none of this seemed to count in the real world.

After taking up a Christmas job in retail I knew I needed something.  I was fed up of doing nothing.  I wanted to be out in the world, earning money and doing something I enjoyed doing.  I had sent  hundreds  of CVs to  a range  of employers and had barely  heard anything back.

At some point in January, the job centre invited me to an event for 18-24 year olds.  I was reluctant to go as I was at the point of giving up, but attended anyway.  This was a decision that definitely worked out for the better.

I read a few job specifications  and was then forwarded onto attend a Striding Out Recruitment event.  I went along to Denmark Street and was met by Business and Youth Coach, Quinn Simpson.  I wasn’t really sure of what to expect.  We had an informal chat about my career aspirations and current work experience.  I told her I wanted to write.  To be perfectly honest, I didn’t expect to hear anything back, but within a week I had had 2 interviews – one being with Striding Out.

I had never heard of Career and Business Coaching before until I decided to take my job offer at Striding Out.  I was hired as Marketing Assistant, a position I had little experience in.  However, the position required copy writing and journalism skills which I wanted to build on.

Over my 6 month placement I picked up plenty of new skills and also partook in a Digital Media course which has taught me a lot more about marketing in general.  I have improved both in job skills and have also improved in general life skills.  I believe I know a lot more about myself and am also more aware of the different types of people around me.

Working at Striding out has definitely been a learning experience and has provided me with the opportunity to grow.  Career Coaching has been a great benefit and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who may have lost their way.  It’s been a great 6 months, and it’s been a pleasure to be part of the Striding Out Team!   The Future Jobs Fund is a brilliant scheme and I hope it keeps going and provides more young people with the opportunities and experience they deserve.