Graduate Spotlight: Isaac

Last summer, at Envision we were very proud to expand our bespoke work experience programme, providing 49 of our incredible young people with tailor made opportunities. Together with 11 of our fantastic corporate partners across 3 regions, we’ve continued our mission to support young people in developing their Essential Skills and boosting their workplace readiness for the future.

These exciting and engaging opportunities have allowed our Envision Graduates to dive into real world work environments, gaining valuable experience and the confidence to take the next step in their journeys. Whether it’s honing communication skills, their determination, creativity or teamwork, the impact on their personal and professional growth has been inspiring to witness.

Beyond that, the feedback from both young people and partners has been overwhelmingly positive, with every young person being given a safe space to explore the world of work, put their skills to the test and be heard. We’re still gathering feedback from our young people, but so far 95% of those who have given feedback have rated the experience as 5 stars for overall satisfaction and feeling comfortable in the workplace.

A massive thank you to Arup, IOP Publishing, HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd, Motability Operations Ltd, Kennedys, Federated Hermes, NFP, Gymshark and AllianceBernstein for creating such meaningful opportunities for our young people and giving them the chance to be heard within your organisations. We can’t wait to provide even more work experience opportunities for our young people this summer!

Isaac graduated from the Envision Programme in 2025, and completed a work experience placement the following Summer at Kennedys, a global law firm. Interested in a career in law, he joined Envision to develop his communication and creativity, and quickly discovered that stepping out of his comfort zone and working as part of a team was just as important.

How did Envision help prepare you for your work experience at Kennedys?

Every week you’re talking to people and building confidence, so communication is a big thing in everything I’ve learned. What also really stood out was getting out of your comfort zone and being part of a team. Those Envision sessions where you have to team up and work together to get to a certain answer – that helped a lot. At Kennedys, we worked as a group to complete a legal case study, so it felt familiar.

How did teamwork from Envision translate into the Kennedys environment?

During Envision, I made a point of working with people I didn’t know, even if I felt nervous. At Kennedys, I worked closely with someone I’d just met to prepare our case study presentation. That mindset of stepping out of your comfort zone made it easier to collaborate.

Can you give an example of using an Essential Skill at Kennedys?

I had to be determined to talk to people. Everyone around me was a lawyer or solicitor, and I wanted to gain more understanding about what is still a very unfamiliar field. Pushing myself to have those conversations came from the confidence I built in Envision.

Did the Envision presentation experience help with presenting at Kennedys?

Definitely. Envision builds you up in smaller increments, presenting in weekly sessions, so when the big moment comes, you’re more prepared. Even if you feel nervous, you realise you are ready, and that makes a huge difference.

Was there anything unexpected during your placement that your Essential Skills helped you navigate?

I didn’t expect how communal it would feel. Even though a lot of the work is solo, people value community, saying hello in the hallway. Communication skills from Envision made it easy to connect and build rapport.

What’s your biggest piece of advice for others starting Envision?

Don’t underestimate the skills you’ll gain. Words like ‘communication’ and ‘teamwork’ might sound repetitive, but they’re essential in every job. Come in as a blank slate, with an open mind, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Determination is the backbone of all the essential skills, you won’t get far without it!

If you would like to hear more about supporting our young people through meaningful work experience opportunities, please contact: beth.collins@envision.org.uk