Case Studies
Saida Begum
Saida graduated from the University of Leeds in 2003. She gained a 2:1 degree in Communications & New Media and although she did not encounter any direct discrimination in the subsequent interviews she attended, she didn't feel she was accessing the same opportunities as her fellow graduates.
"I was getting interviews and they seemed to be going really well, but I wasn't getting any job offers. My friends were all starting great careers and I felt that I was being left behind. I started to wonder if the fact that I belong to an ethnic minority group had anything to do with it."
Saida felt that she needed some dedicated support and when she made her initial searches on the internet to source current UK policies on equal opportunities, she found the Ethnic Jobsite.
"I was prepared to educate myself about my rights and the current policies employers have to follow with regard to diversity, but the Ethnic Jobsite answered lots of my questions. The Diversity News section was invaluable and when I realised that the site also listed job opportunities I was really excited."
"I wasn't sure if I'd find any jobs that were relevant to my degree on the site, but I thought I'd register anyway as there seemed to be quite a broad base of opportunities. I applied for a couple of jobs initially and wasn't successful, but then, less than 8 weeks after registering with the site, I was notified about a BBC Technology recruitment drive via email."
Through the Ethnic Jobsite, Saida found out that the BBC's technology sector were recruiting trainees and were actively seeking applications from ethnic minority candidates. She followed the online application process via the BBC's website and then waited to hear the outcome.
"Waiting was nerve-wracking. Working for the BBC seemed like it would be a dream come true and the career path I'd be following was very relevant to my degree. I'd also need to move to London which was a very exciting prospect for me as I lived with my parents while completing my University degree."
While Saida waited to hear back from the BBC, she continued to use the EM Jobsite on a daily basis.
"I didn't want to sit back and stop looking for work even though I really wanted the BBC job. The Ethnic Jobsite was a fantastic resource because I could look through new job postings quickly and easily and if I missed anything it would come up in the jobs bulletin I signed up for."
After three weeks Sadia received an email from the BBC. She had been invited to an interview for a trainee position as a New Media Technologist. Sadia's interview was successful and she commenced her training in early 2004.
"It was a fantastic opportunity. I'd say I've been lucky but I worked really hard to get the job and had the relevant educational qualifications. I'm just so glad that I can use the skills I learnt at University in an exciting job with great prospects and one of the UK's most well-respected employers."
