Jlyn’s story

Jlyn graduated from Cohort 4 of the GoodWork Programme. She secured an internship at Wild, one of our corporate partners, and is one of five young people from the GoodWork community who’ve been hired by Wild.

What was your situation before GoodWork?

Before starting GoodWork, I’d recently graduated from university in Interior Design and Architecture. I’ve always been quite a structured and organised person, and so I initially was set on pursuing a career in architecture and interior design. Since graduating, I realised that I didn’t want to limit myself and wanted to take the opportunity to explore different industries and roles. One of the challenges I faced was actually myself. I struggled with the self-pressure of not wanting to ‘waste’ my degree, along with how competitive the job market is.

However, I’ve realised that a career isn’t linear and that it’s okay to not know what you’re doing; it’s an opportunity to discover what your interests and skills are. By keeping my options open and trusting the process, I pivoted my job search and started to look for the right opportunities where I could learn and make an impact.

Tell us about your experience on the GoodWork programme - were there any experiences or support that stood out to you?

GoodWork not only changed my approach to job applications, but also how I see myself. Before GoodWork, I struggled to see how my background fit into the wider job market, but the programme has taught me how to articulate my value with confidence and go for new opportunities.

One experience that particularly stood out was my mentorship with Harriet. Harriet’s support and experience in recruitment was invaluable and has significantly developed my confidence in interviews and applying to roles overall. The client presentation week was also a personal highlight. It allowed me to apply my organisation and collaboration skills to a team project and was a great opportunity for me to build on my professional confidence and meet new people.

What’s different in your life now compared to before GoodWork?

Before joining the programme, I felt like I was in survival mode. I was struggling because I was exhausted and burnt out from the intensity of my degree, felt a bit lost and was in this period of uncertainty. GoodWork has offered me mentors and peers who have challenged and supported me. I’ve expanded my professional circle, gained new skills and experiences, and started to understand what kind of person I want to be in the workplace.

What has securing your new job at Wild meant for you personally?

I’m grateful that GoodWork put me forward for this role. I’ve always cared deeply about meaningful impact, so securing this role and being part of a team that prioritises impact on people and a company that values sustainability is incredibly fulfilling. In just one month, I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Working in such a fast-paced environment has forced me to be more adaptable, proactive in resolving issues and gain exposure to different areas of a company. Personally, this job arrived exactly when I needed a professional change and a personal challenge. It’s given me a fresh sense of confidence and a clear sense of direction.