How Vodafone’s Graduate Programme Helped Me Thrive

My time at Vodafone has been wonderful. I love the culture. Every employee is so willing to help and get things done together. I feel I have created genuine lifelong friendships, and I find myself full of excitement when heading into the office as there is always something happening to keep everyone engaged!  

I’ve already done so much  

The trust Vodafone gives you is outstanding. I’m currently on my second rotation (my title is HR Services and Retail Enablement Executive) on the Vodafone Ireland Graduate Programme, but in my first rotation, I was encouraged to create a formalised school programme called The Vodafone TY Engage Programme.  

‘Engage’ gives secondary school students the opportunity to learn about the varied career paths available to them within Vodafone, with a dynamic, structured work experience week in our head office. I’ve run three of the programmes so far and received an overall experience rating of 4.8/5 from the students, so it has been incredibly rewarding! I’ve received emails from participants, parents, and teachers stating that it’s boosted confidence amongst students and assisted them in discovering their desired career paths. 

Last year, I was also put in charge of our Summer Internship Attraction campaign. I was set the target of 1,700 applications but given the freedom to create my own campaign, which I called ‘Soak up Success with Vodafone’, I received 2955 applications! As well as these initiatives, I’ve helped create a sustainability group called Green Connect, and I am really enjoying all these opportunities to make a lasting impact here at Vodafone. 

The TY Engage Programme 

TY Engage brings students from 14-17 years old into our offices to explore areas such as technology, business, data, finance, charity and much, much more. Over 100 students have now taken part. 

To ensure that the students get insight into multiple business functions, it’s divided into core themes:  

• Storytelling Day. Learning the Vodafone brand story through guest presentations and interactive experiences with employees from Marketing, Social Media, Employer Brand, Public Relations and Advertising. We also learn about our amazing sponsorship with the Irish Rugby Team!  

• Tech Tuesday. Launch into the world of tech through Data, Digital Engineering, Digital Design, an AI masterclass and The Digital Ninjas!  

• Business Beginnings. Let's get down to business! Through cyber security, finance product development, a CV and Interview Skills workshop, and commercial operations, learn what awaits you in the world of business. 

• Customer-Focus Day. Hosted in our flagship store on Henry Street, this day introduces students to the exciting world of retail, VodaPros, BIRs, and Hi-Digital. It even included time on the shop floor assisting customers with basic queries. 

• Foundation Friday. On this final day, students learn about our charity partners such as ALONE and the ISPCC. They also take part in a workshop for our Tozi app, an internet safety app for young people. Their great ideas have already contributed to the app's new design and key features! The day concludes with presentations from the students and a certificate ceremony.   

The students also complete a project entitled 'TOBi's Den'. In a similar vein to Dragon's Den, they pitch an idea that centres around one of our Purpose Pillars, Digital Society, Inclusion for All, or Planet, which they’ve been educated on during the week. It affords them the chance to absorb the information they’ve been getting, research ideas, practise teamwork skills, and present in front of an audience. The winning team receives Sony headphones!  

Green Connect 

At the beginning of 2024, my colleague Ana Rita Apolinario and I recognised that Vodafone Ireland could be doing more in terms of planet and sustainability. Therefore, we created a group within the company called 'Green Connect'. With over 30 members, Green Connect endeavours to educate employees on climate issues, sustainability practices and making environmentally friendly choices.  

An example of our work is our ‘Beach Clean-Up’ in partnership with Friends of the Earth, which you can read about here. Additionally, we are in the process of organising climate change talks, and a clothes swap in the office in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul, and we’re also seeking to raise awareness of food waste in the canteen. By the end of the year, we hope to implement a ‘keep cup’ policy to reduce disposable cups in the office. While this group is still in its early stages, we are making great progress and focusing on our Planet pillar with every action we take. 

What’s ahead? 

I hope to grow into a leadership role within Vodafone and I feel the Graduate Programme has provided me with the necessary platform and foundation to achieve this goal. The variety and excitement of my current role has affirmed my passion for Human Resources, and opened my eyes to the myriad of possibilities within Vodafone HR.  

Also, as someone who lives outside of Dublin, I place great value on Vodafone’s hybrid working policy. Being able to do my job from home 60% of the time lets me work on more tasks that interest me because I’m spending less time commuting.  

Vodafone has helped me to carve out my own space, personally and professionally, and contribute in a meaningful way - I sincerely hope I continue my time here, and continue gaining more knowledge, skills, and abilities in this thriving organisation.