National Careers Week – Spotlight on Graduates
National Careers Week – Spotlight on Graduates
At Compass, we recognise that not everyone’s learning pathway takes the same route, so we have different options for people to learn, develop and progress their careers with us. The Compass Graduate Programme is one of many ways we nurture talent, as part of Our Social Promise.
In honour of National Careers Week 2025, we spoke with some of our graduates to find out more about their experiences.
Zoe Hillman
What inspired you to apply for the Graduate Programme with Compass Group UK & Ireland?
I was inspired by the Compass commitment to sustainability and the company values which align well with my own. The hospitality and catering industry drew me in because of its interpersonal and ever-evolving nature. I was looking for something practical where I could learn on the job and explore multiple sectors and roles. The operations graduate programme has delivered all these elements so far.
Hannah Inskip
How do you continue learning and developing in your role?
We have training days as part of the Graduate Programme that are tailor made for our development to set us up with the skills needed to be a great manager. There are also opportunities to lead projects. I will look to seek these out - particularly those that push me outside of my comfort zone – as this will help my development by giving me a wider range of hands-on experience with problem-solving, innovation, and leadership across more areas.
Joe Murphy
What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had working in hospitality so far?
I had the great opportunity to work as a Team Leader at a large televised music event. I, along with other graduates, were tasked with serving some of the UK’s biggest musicians. The experience gave me such a unique chance to understand what it takes to plan and deliver hospitality at the highest standard.
Jade Isidro
What have you enjoyed most about the Graduate Programme at Compass?
The best thing about starting my career with Compass UK & Ireland is how it's allowed me to combine all my passions - HR, hospitality and continuous learning. I've always loved how the hospitality industry evolves and all the connections you make, and Compass has given me the chance to experience it from multiple opportunities in the HR space. Through this I found out HR is what I want to do. I love being the person people go to for support, creating new opportunities for people and also figuring out ways we can train and develop our teams.
Charlie Prifti
What inspired you to apply for the Graduate Programme with Compass Group UK & Ireland?
I started working with Compass when I was a student, working at events and stadiums. When I finished Uni, I moved to Australia for a year and was able to use my Compass contacts to find a job out there, which really helped and supported me during the move. As my trip approached the end, I realised how many different career opportunities there are within Compass and I applied for the Compass Graduate Programme.
This programme gives you fantastic responsibilities and experience. It has given me a great understanding of how the business operates and has opened the door to a variety of different roles that I can now pursue a career in.
You can find out more about our Graduate programme, by visiting: https://www.compass-group.co.uk/grads/graduate-hub or searching #compassgrads on LinkedIn to discover more real life experiences from our graduates.
