Claudine:

Claudine Molloy

Degree: Law and Business Administration
Joined Stagecoach: September 2008
Current position: Assistant Operations Manager, Sunderland

Having looked at a number of graduate websites, I initially embarked on a scheme with an Infrastructure Services company. They didn’t deliver on what they promised though, so I left after a year and applied to join the Stagecoach Graduate Management Programme instead. Since then I haven’t looked back!

What impressed me most was the structure of the programme. As well as being really straightforward and honest, it was clear very early on that I had a real chance of gaining a management role with significant responsibility. I only knew a little about Stagecoach beforehand. I just assumed that they ran local bus services. I soon realised there’s much more to the company than that.

In my first year I gained exposure to every single job in the company and learned exactly how Stagecoach works. The hours were irregular and I was sometimes working two weeks of nights in a row – but I loved it. The bus driving I found a bit scary at first, but working alongside other trainees, and having fantastic trainers, and a bus driver as a mentor, soon gave me confidence. In fact I was more scared for members of the public!

At the start of my second year on the programme, I was appointed into my first management position, in our Sunderland business. It’s a job where every day is different. Plus, although I’m the youngest in my depot, I’m responsible for managing 225 people!

I’d sum up by saying that if you are enthusiastic, hard working, and have good decision-making and strong people skills, then Stagecoach is a great place to be. You are prepared for everything and you learn valuable life skills – in particular how to manage people effectively, and how to run a successful commercial business. Throughout it all you get honest constructive feedback. It’s not for the faint hearted, but it’s been ideal for me!