Graduate Spotlight... Laura James

Laura James, studied Fashion at Northumbria University and is currently a Talent Acquisition Marketing Specialist for Enterprise.

From the fashion industry to the automotive industry…

After a spending all of my youth dreaming of working in the fashion industry, I was excited to secure a placement at a textile design house in Brighton. I gained great experience and transferable skills, but my time there also made me realise that the field wasn’t actually a great fit for me. I embarked on my final year determined to complete my degree but feeling a little lost as to what I might do after graduation.

After university I decided to take some time out to reflect on possible career paths and worked three part time jobs to get me by. In the autumn I was involved in a car accident and the replacement car I received whilst mine was in the garage was provided by Enterprise.

The person that served me at the branch had just joined Enterprise’s Graduate Management Training Programme, they shared with me that the graduate scheme offered hands-on experience across customer service, sales, marketing and operations. Their enthusiasm was evident, so I decided to find out more. I didn't apply straightaway; I had a fashion degree and I knew nothing about cars - I thought I would be laughed out of the application process. However, the more I read about the company and researched the role, the more I realised neither of these things mattered. I applied and haven’t looked back since.

Driven from within

I joined Enterprise as a Graduate Management Trainee and there was a clear progression structure. Within 9 months I completed the training and just two weeks later gained my first promotion to Assistant Manager. A year later I was promoted to Branch Manager where I learnt a lot and built my reputation to take over the largest branch in the North East of England just 18 months after. Just before my 6 year anniversary I was promoted to the position of Area Manager of Newcastle, overseeing 8 branches, 50+ employees and millions of pounds of assets. During the next 6 years I had two years out of the business on maternity leave and each time returned into an Area Manager role. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had such support while starting my family. I have never been told I had to relocate or work full-time to have my career. 

Enterprise has a promote-from-within culture and that drives everyone to encourage each other to succeed at Enterprise. There are targets and you get the chance to stand out for your personal performance, but the healthy competition just adds to the fun we have. Promote-from-within also means that our senior leaders have been where you are, you're never asked to do something by someone who hasn't done it themselves. It also means everyone is accessible to help you whatever their title.

Three years ago, an opportunity to specialise in HR, specifically recruitment, was advertised. I have loved exploring the Talent Acquisition side of the business, leading the attraction and selection strategy in the North East. I love to be able to introduce other graduates to a programme and company offering so much development, responsibility and reward.

Where could you go?

Firstly, let’s be honest, no one grows up dreaming of renting cars, but it’s just that cars are our product, the graduate training programme offers you the opportunity to learn how to run a business. It's open to you are a graduate, whenever it was that you graduated, whatever degree you graduated with. If you're looking for an opportunity to launch an exciting career offering fast-track progression opportunities, I’d say Enterprise is the place to be - join our graduate programme in a location near you by searching all our available opportunities across our 450-strong UK branch network.