Debut Careers: Changing the graduate game

Debut advertises itself as “the world’s first student and graduate careers app”, with the aim to help young graduates apply for internships and grad schemes in a simplified manner. It is based out of London and was started by ex-EY graduate analyst, Charles Taylor.

For a deeper insight into the recent successes of the start-up, the Boar caught up with its social media and community manager Brenda Wong, a 2014 Warwick law graduate herself, about what the app is, what it does and how it helps.

In brief, Debut has revolutionized the graduate job hunt because graduates create an application profile once and then apply for hundreds of jobs with the tap of a button. Brenda notes that the “best feature is our ‘Talent-Spot’ feature, where employers can actually reach out directly to a user to invite them to apply for the job”. This helps graduates apply to jobs that they find suitable and best of all, employers reach out to users directly.

Debut has revolutionized the graduate job hunt because graduates create an application profile once and then apply for hundreds of jobs with the tap of a button.

Brenda believes that the digitalized convenience that Debut brings to graduates is what sets it apart from other applications sites such as Milkround and conventional university career services.

“The opportunities we have on our app are extremely tailored, and very easy to apply to. Also, you can play games on the app that could win you internships and prizes, and we also have a full-to-bursting careers insights section that acts as a careers resource for students and grads.”

“The opportunities we have on our app are extremely tailored, and very easy to apply to.”

This is especially useful in the current jobs market where employers struggle to find the candidate that fits their needs while thousands of graduates are sending out countless CV’s to employers who are not the right fit. This personally resonates with Brenda who can relate to the nerves and feeling of helplessness while applying to thousands of jobs as a finalist or graduate and not hearing back or being rejected by prospective employers, therefore she highly values being part of a company like Debut which aims to change that.

When asked what aspect of her role she finds most enjoyable Brenda admits that it is working with passionate young people who are optimistic and driven,”it’s an actual joy to see students and graduates get the jobs of their dreams through our app.”

[Debut’s mission] personally resonates with Brenda, who can relate to the nerves and feeling of helplessness while applying to thousands of jobs…she highly values being part of a company which aims to change that.

Brenda directly manages the Debut Student Publisher Network where young student and graduate writers write for the Debuts Insight blog. The startup also invests in the future of these budding journalists by paying them and giving them training in order to see them gradually improve.

Image: Debut/debut.careers Debut hosts a Women In Tech event, featuring L’Oréal, Bloomberg, Siemens, Vodafone Group, Rolls-Royce and Microsoft.

Moreover as Brenda notes, gaining an insight into careers and internships from a young student and graduate perspective is, “part and parcel of what Debut is trying to achieve – making careers and employ-ability accessible for all.”

“Ask questions. Constantly.”

Finally when asked the burning question on everyone’s minds, about what one can do to be proactive and informed about preparing for life after graduation even if they are a Fresher, Brenda advises to, “Ask questions. Constantly. Whether it’s reading up on careers insights, talking to peers, going to careers events, or having a cup of tea with your big sister who’s already working, it’s always good to get different perspectives. Freshers – you’ll get there, we promise.”