Before I joined the course, I felt capable but stuck. I’d finished my degree in communications in 2023 and since then I’d been job hunting for over a year. Rejection after rejection really started to wear me down. I kept asking myself, why is it taking so long, what am I doing wrong, will I ever find a job. On the outside I was getting on with things, but inside I was frustrated, disappointed and overwhelmed. I wanted to build my confidence back and find a way out of that constant loop.
When I started the course, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I didn’t expect to, but it helped me express my opinions and realise I wasn’t alone in my thoughts. It was reassuring to be in a space where other people were dealing with similar doubts. I had good support from my family, and I support them too, but I still felt like I wasn’t where I wanted to be yet.
A big part of the course for me was mindset. Job hunting had chipped away at my confidence and my core belief had become that I’d never succeed or that I wasn’t good enough. Working through that helped me see how harsh my inner voice had become. We looked at a healthier thought, that I will get a job if I keep trying. At first my brain fought back, saying you haven’t yet, it’s taking too long, you should have one by now. But being able to challenge those thoughts and defend myself, reminding myself that it takes time and that I will get there eventually, made a real difference.
During the course, I had moments where I felt restless, like I already knew myself well enough and didn’t need it anymore. But sticking with it helped me realise that the work around mindset and persistence was exactly what I needed at that point. When the sessions focused more on work and careers, I felt more upbeat and validated. It reminded me that my frustration made sense and that I wasn’t failing, I was just still on the journey.
Alongside job hunting, I started setting clearer goals. I wanted a full time job by the end of the year and I also focused on my physical wellbeing, building strength and going to the gym regularly. Having structure around both my mental and physical health helped me feel more balanced and motivated.
I applied for roles in communications, PR and marketing and kept going even when it felt exhausting. I remember going to a long interview day with several other candidates and feeling unsure afterwards, especially because of the commute. But instead of spiralling into self doubt, I was able to stay grounded and remind myself that showing up was progress in itself.
After finishing the programme, things shifted. In April, I secured full time employment in marketing, working with a media company supporting events and businesses. Getting that job felt like a huge weight lifting. It wasn’t just about employment, it was proof that the belief I’d been working on was true. If I keep trying, I will get there.
Looking back, the course was a really positive and motivating experience for me. It helped elevate my mindset at a time when I was close to losing confidence in myself. It played an important role in my personal and professional development and reminded me that setbacks don’t define my ability or my future. I’m proud of how I kept going, even when it felt hard, and I know I’ll keep using what I learned as I move forward.