Hi! My name is Emily and in September 2024 I started the Impact Local Government Graduate Programme. This scheme is run by the Local Government Authority in councils across the UK for those interested in working for local government.
It is a two-year programme, where you will get the opportunity to rotate between three or four placements across a local authority. This could include working in housing, social care, or transport strategy, or doing practical work in communications, HR, or finance. The placements are really varied between local authorities, depending on their needs and your own interests. I’m currently working in communications, which I have found very enjoyable and creative!
A day in my life
I start my day early by catching a 7am bus into town, arriving around 8:30am if the traffic is clear. This is definitely earlier than my typical morning at uni, but some days I get to see a beautiful sunrise, which makes the winter mornings more bearable!
I’ll take a short walk to my office and say hello to the other graduates, who are currently working in different departments to me. It was lovely to join with two other graduates, as we’ve navigated our first graduate jobs together and shared our learning (and challenges!) together.
Firstly, I’ll open my emails to see if there’s anything urgent or important which should take priority. This helps me write my daily to-do list of tasks, categorised into ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’ priority to help keep me on track. Coming from university, my inbox can feel a bit overwhelming, with lots of people reaching out about lots of different projects, but you quickly get used to it and find your own way of keeping on top of all your different tasks.
Throughout my day in communications, I’ll work through a variety of tasks. This could include drafting emails to members of the public enquiring about council projects, reviewing documents, brochures, and social media posts which may be used to promote upcoming events, or contacting parish and county councillors to set up meetings to gather their opinions on any upcoming projects we have planned. It is varied and keeps me on my toes!
Around 1pm I will take a well-deserved lunch break, saying a quick hello to any other council officers in the staff kitchen. I’ve found everyone to be very friendly and welcoming, making an effort to introduce themselves and speak to new staff.
In the afternoon, I may have meetings with project teams to discuss how we can offer communications support, and discuss new communication strategies and tasks within my team. Throughout the day, I’m in contact with my manager who has really helped guide me with new work and any questions I have. Even though I started a few months ago, there are some things I’m still learning, which is totally okay and expected as a newbie!
I’ll end my day with some smaller tasks, such as reviewing documents or planning the office Christmas party (harder than you’d think!), logging off just before 5pm to catch the bus back home.
A final word
The Impact grad scheme is a great way to gain experience across local government departments, awarding you with a breadth of skills which wouldn’t be possible in just one job. However, grad scheme recruitment is a competitive and gruelling process across all job sectors, so please don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get through as many stages as you’d hoped. These tests don’t determine your worth or intelligence; there is a lot of technique to them, and I had been rejected from multiple schemes before being accepted onto this one.
Remember that grad schemes are not the only option, there are so many paths into local government and the private sector which are just as good, and may suit you better! For example, you may not like to switch departments frequently, or you may end up with offers from council areas you aren’t interested in. Although, they are a great way to start your career and are a brilliant option for ‘getting your foot in the door’ with local authorities looking for fresh ideas and innovation.
I hope that this blog has helped you understand more about the Impact graduate scheme. If you would like to learn more or have any questions, you can visit the Impact website or reach out to their email address impact.support@local.gov.uk.
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