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Kitt Holohan

BA Geography with Year Abroad, University of Birmingham

  • Kitt Holohan

    Why I applied

    I applied for the Scheme because it felt like a perfect match for my skills, interests and career goals. I already knew that I would like to work in Higher Education management after working part-time as a Student Fundraiser for the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office but I wasn’t sure in which particular area I’d like to specialise. The Graduate Management Training Scheme was the ideal way to start a career in this sector because the way it is structured provided the opportunity to get involved with, and gain an understanding of, many different areas.

Highlights

The past year has been full of highlights including contributing to the University’s partnership with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, sharing my new-found knowledge of automation with teams across the University, sitting on an interview panel and working on University-wide projects. However, I have found being welcomed into so many teams and the great working relationships I have built through this to be the key highlight.

Support

The support we have as Graduate Trainees has been wonderful. Throughout the 2 years, we are individually mentored by a senior member of the University and I’ve found that relationship to be an invaluable source of advice and help.

We have supervisors in each placement and they have continued to support me even when I’ve moved on to the next project so I always have somebody to turn to.

We also buddy up with other trainees, so not only do we benefit from the support of those ahead of us on the Scheme but we can also support others which creates a great network of past and current trainees.

Finally, providing consistent support throughout, we have the Manager of the Graduate Management Training Scheme who has oversight of all our placements and our learning and development progress.

Placements

External Relations—Communications and Reputation

I supported the University’s partnership with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games by working between the Profile Raising, International Opportunities and Knowledge and Research workstreams to feed into the internal Steering Group. 

IT Services—Business Partnering

I helped develop the University’s approach for adopting automation solutions by sharing knowledge across the institution to identify and prioritise processes suitable for automation.

Academic Services—Academic Registrar’s Office

I supported the work of the Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Academic Experience) to develop an institutional strategy for student academic experience in response to student feedback. 

Cross-College Postgraduate Research Student project

I am currently working on projects bringing the five Colleges together to improve the experience of Postgraduate Research students and the University’s bought-in teaching process. Additionally, I am project managing our Professional Services staff recognition event, the Birmingham Professional Awards, and I support strategic Functional Coordination work as Secretary to a Steering Group, with particular involvement in the Wellbeing workstreams.