The Graduate Challenge: Overcoming Challenges and Developing Skills

This report discusses the benefits of graduate challenges in developing skills and overcoming obstacles. It covers the Apprentice, Presentation, and T-shirt challenges and how they improved communication, marketing, and leadership skills. The report also includes an action plan for further improvement.

The Graduate
Challenge

Contents
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Challenges....................................................................................................................................3
Skills Reflection...........................................................................................................................4
Action Plan..................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................9
Books and Journal........................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Graduation period facilitates several opportunities to the students wherein they can
capitalize upon the prevailing challenges and combat the same the same so to build high level of
proficiency (Okolie, et.al, 2020). In addition to this, the respective skills acquired by me by
participating in the challenges are clearly specified in the report. Moreover, a structured action
plan which reflects upon the future improvement possibilities within the report in an appropriate
manner.
MAIN BODY
Challenges
 Apprentice Challenge
Apprentice challenge facilitated me with a platform which enables me to apply for
various internships and job profiles. During this challenge, I worked in a bread factory in
which I was required to do the routine operational tasks in a disciplined and sincere
manner with high level of productivity. I am and my colleagues used to share our duties
and help each other out in terms of excessive workload. Thus, this challenge allowed me
to form better interpersonal relationship with my colleagues and handle the stressful work
environment in a flexible way. Thus, while undertaking of the current project many
apprentice challenge are being faced that are related and associated with the management
of the stress level at the workforce that is being reflected with the set of the interview
questions. Beside this, a review about the key skills that is being needed and required to
carry out a specific job role has been also made which reflected that communication and
other business skill are vital.
 Presentation Challenge
I and my group members were provided with a task in which we had to frame a
presentation on supermarket sector. In the group presentation challenge, I was provided
with the responsibility to frame the introduction of the presentation, existing trends
within the concerned sector, Tesco’s performance as well and financial comparison of the
same with the rival firms such as Aldi and Lidl. I researched about my part in an

appropriate manner and then framed the content wisely. I added various images in the
PPT in order to elevate its attractiveness to the viewer of the same. It was an extremely
interesting challenge and I am very thankful that I got the opportunity to increase my
presentation making abilities through the participation within the same. It can be also
reflected by me on the current module and task that the lack of the confidence level along
with the iisue faced related with the ineffective communication level has been also being
faced. The key set of the presentation challenge that is being faced by me are based on
the fact that it needs to be attractive and unique to cater and grab the attention of the
audience that was quite difficult and challenging for me (Succi and Canovi, 2020).
 T-shirt Challenge
In this challenge, I and my peers came up with an incredible concept of designing
the logo of the T-shirt by gaining inspiration from Romanian currency. The idea was that
each age group ranging from infants to elder population could wear the T-shirt. We
attempted to target customers from every generation so as elevate the profitability of the
T-shirt in a potential manner. Moreover, the T- shirts produced by us was available to the
customer in very region., in every size and colour, the fabric material chosen by us was
also non allergic. All of the above considerations helped us to complete the challenge
excellently. The core T-shirt challenge which are related with the branding, financing and
operations has been faced by me. The branding of the T-shirt needs an effective
marketing strategy as well as creativity that was quite difficult. Along with this, meeting
the investment and finance required for the T–shirt has been also being difficult as it
reauure effective budgeting and proper management skill. Beside this, an issue and
challenge related with the operations is also being faced that is related with the timely
production of the T-shirts along with ensuring of the uniqueness and higher standard
quality within the product to meet the expectation level of the customers (Fearon, et.al,
2020).
Skills Reflection
Communication Skills

The challenges attempted by me further assisted me to elevate my communication skills. I got to
the opportunity to interact with new individuals through the given challenges. Apprentice,
Presentation and T shirt challenges facilitated in improving my existing communication skills.
My flow of communication enhanced as well. Further, implication and use of the Goleman’s
model can be made as according to Goleman, EI is a cluster of skills as well as some of the
effective set of the competencies, which are focused on four capabilities: self-awareness,
relationship management, and social awareness (Hashim, 2017). Thus, it has been analysed and
implicated based on this theory the Goleman argues that these four capabilities form the basis of
12 'subscales' of EI. Further, it has been also seen and implicated based on the Goleman's
emotional intelligence theory which tend to have the outlines five components of EQ: self-
awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Thus, it has been seen and
implicated that the concept of the Emotional intelligence can be applied to meet goals and
targets, as well as create a happier and healthier working culture which is effective to mitigate
and overcome the issue of the stress within the working environment (Brown, 2019).
Continuous learning and development
In order to sustain the competitive work environment and lead the effective process of
continuous development, it is necessary to pave the way for curiosity for learning new things.
For instance, I learned about developing presentations in presentation challenge. I gained
relevant knowledge in regard with production, marketing and promotion of products and services
through- short challenge. I became more acceptable to new challenges and opportunities where I
could exercise my existing competency and try to optimize upon the same in the best manner
possible.
Marketing Skills
I developed marketing skills while working upon T shirt challenge. The marketing and
promotional antics used by I and my group members was highly applauded. I also gained much
needed insights about the manner in which T-shirt could be marketed among the target
consumers. I learned whereabouts of the market and the manner in which one should approach
the market and channel the marketing process within the same to gain added advantages through
the concept of marketing.

Hard work
I developed hardworking capabilities during the apprenticeship challenge as I was
allotted with extremely complicated tasks on a daily basis and I had to showcase my best
potential to accomplish those tasks in a timely manner. I also worked hard while facilitating the
T-shirt as well as presentation challenge in order ender the best performance and complete these
challenges in the best of my ability (Malhotra, 2019).
Focus and Dedication
I believe that in order to acquire or achieve a specific goal, it is highly necessary for an
individual to be focus and dedication towards the same. Lack of focus, precision and dedication
within an individual can lead to adversely impact on the goal accomplishment. These challenges
allowed me to become extremely focused. For instance, while working on the T-shirt challenge,
we had to come up with creative ideas which required great focus and dedicated energy upon the
creative concepts which we were considering for the achievement of the given challenge. The
presentation and apprentice challenge also led to enhancement and elevation of the individual
focus and commitment within me.
Action Plan
Goals Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time

duration
Elevation in
Communicati
on Skills
Communicati
on is two-way
process which
can help me
to maintain
good
interpersonal
relation with
my peers and
colleagues.
The
communication
skills can be
measured
through the
feedback and
reviews
provided by the
peers and
colleagues with
the whom the
process of
communication
is facilitated on
regular basis.
The concerned
skill can be
attained
through
communication
building
exercises,
participation in
debates,
speeches and
group
discussions.
Communication
is relevant as it
can assist me
gaining higher
competitive
perks and
advantages
within my
professional
career domain.
6 months
Higher
expertise in
Marketing
Skills
This skill is
specific as I
can assist me
gaining
expertise
within the
field of
marketing
which is one
career domain
which I want
to be part of
within the
near future.
The success
and customer
response of the
marketing
tactic applied
by me for given
purpose can be
termed as the
speck
measurable
outcome
through which
the concerned
skills can be
The respective
skills can be
attained
through
participation in
marketing
courses and
programs.
Also,
application of
marketing
concepts,
process and
strategies can
Marking skill is
highly relevant
as it can be
applied in real
life business
scenarios and
can provide
necessary
benefits to the
individuals in
charge of
application of
the same.
12 months

measured in a
significant
manner.
also help in the
attainment of
the skill.
Improvement
in leadership
skill
It tend to be a
specific skill
as it tend to
present the
improvement
within the
competency
to motivate
and guide
others for the
better level
performance.
The
improvement
within the
leadership skill
can be
effectively
managed based
on the higher
level of
efficiency and
motivation at
the workplace.
The leadership
skill is tend to
be attainable as
it can be
achieved
through
developing key
leadership skill
based on some
online classes
or practical
training.
Leadership skill
is relevant as it
needed to have a
more motivated
workforce as
well as also
supports the
higher efficiency
and productivity
level at the
workplace.
A time span
of the 5-6
months is
needed to
have the
improvement
within the
leadership
skill.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be summarized that graduate challenges facilitates in the
improvement and enrichment of the performance standard of the individuals. They provide the much
needed assistance to the individuals in terms of identifying their core capabilities and working upon the
same in order increase their skills acquisition and implementation proficiencies and competencies.

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Okolie, et.al, 2020. Enhancing graduate employability: Why do higher education institutions
have problems with teaching generic skills?. Policy Futures in Education, 18(2), pp.294-
313.
Succi and Canovi, 2020. Soft skills to enhance graduate employability: comparing students and
employers’ perceptions. Studies in Higher Education, 45(9), pp.1834-1847.
Fearon, et.al, 2020. Graduate employability, skills development and the UK’s Universities
Business Challenge competition: a self-determined learning perspective. Studies in
Higher Education, 45(6), pp.1280-1297.
Hashim, 2017. Educational challenges faced by international medical graduates in the
UK. Advances in medical education and practice, 8, p.441.
Brown, 2019. South-east England Graduate Skills Mis-match: Graduate Employability.
Malhotra, 2019. Challenges in Employing Fresh Graduates in Information Technology
Companies. International Journal of Business and Economics, 4(2), pp.18-34.