What would you choose to do differently if you had the chance to start from the beginning at LBG?

As someone who only started at LBG 3 months ago, there's a few things I would do differently but also lots of things I would make sure to do again.

1. Focus on Skill Development: Identify key skills that are crucial for your role and invest time in developing them. This could involve taking courses, attending workshops, or seeking out challenging projects - we get access to lots of learning tools via workday!
2. Be Proactive: Take initiative in your projects and don't be afraid to propose new ideas. Being proactive can help you stand out and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive difference within your team. Be bold!
3. Reflect Regularly: Periodically assess your progress and reflect on your experiences. This can help you stay aligned with your goals and make necessary adjustments along the way. I personally keep a placement journal and update it every friday with what I achieved/did during the week - useful for leaving the gradscheme so you can remember what you did! I plan on making a summary for each placement of my biggest achievements and learnings.
4. Feel Less Imposter Syndrome: Recognise that everyone has moments of self-doubt, but your achievements and skills are valid. Celebrate your successes, seek feedback, and remind yourself that you deserve your place at LBG. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions - everyone is happy to help!

Things I would do again:

• Network actively -  Building strong relationships early on can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Attend any event you can, join internal networks (e.g. access, breakthrough etc), and make an effort to connect with colleagues from different departments.
• Seek mentorship -  Finding a mentor can provide valuable guidance and support. Look for someone whose career path you admire and who can offer insights and advice. My mentor is a woman who did the exact same grad scheme and has continued to have great success in LBG.
• Balance work and life - I prioritise seeing friends, going to the gym and allowing myself to relax so I can bring my best self to work the next day and maintain good physical and mental health!

Hi Sarah,

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question before the Christmas Day and thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.

I hope you have amazing holidays and wish you a Merry Christmas!