The graduates will become IT Associates at Infosys following 12 weeks of induction training.

“Moving out of my comfort zone to apply for a job far from home was so important in building my confidence and it helped to give yourself an idea of your own potential,” said Aksa Mughal. Aksa accepted the role at Infosys after graduating with a 1^st Class Honours degree in Computer Science.

She continued: “I think it's important for everyone to take a risk like this because you will only learn more about yourself.”

Charles Udoeka tells of his “mind blowing” experience with the Careers and Employability Service at Bedfordshire. He praises the team for their help with his CV and interview techniques prior to the interview at Infosys.

Infosys is a global IT company with offices across the globe who work with businesses such as HSBC and Accenture.

The company are offering the Bedfordshire students places on the graduate scheme after a bespoke and exclusive recruitment process and assessment day which was developed through close work with the Careers and Employability Service at the University.

Twenty one students attended the University of Bedfordshire assessment day, with ten being offered places on the graduate scheme and nine accepting the positions.

Through offering flexibility and a bespoke recruitment service, the University were able to work with Infosys to select the best candidates for the roles.

Students will be arriving at the job after receiving 1st and 2:1 degrees from the University of Bedfordshire, including Computer Science, Business Information Systems, and Electronic Engineering.

Bedfordshire’s dedication to widening participation is key to all the university does, including widening participation in STEM careers. Of the nine students offered places on the graduate scheme, two are women and some are the first in their families to go to university.

Michelle Everitt Assistant Director for Student Experience and Head of Careers & Employability said: “We work hard here at the University of Bedfordshire to support our students to build their confidence, knowledge and skills to enter the careers they want.

“Students from a widening participation background do not always feel they have the confidence to access opportunities within high profile companies like Infosys and as such, through the work they put in with support from my team, they have achieved fantastic results. We are extremely proud of each and every one of them and wish them every success in their new careers.”

Sheran Malik, son to the new Mayor of Luton Cllr Tahir Malik, (positioned left in above picture) is one of the graduates who has been offered the role of IT Associate.

He spoke of the supportive learning and working environment: “The focus on independent learning at Bedfordshire means we have developed a great peer support network. Independent work allowed us to build up our drive to achieve the best possible results.

“If graduates can show other students and the younger generation that we can achieve our goals through hard work and education, then we can inspire them to do the same. And that is what this company is allowing us to do – achieve our goals.”

Sheran concluded: ““The relationship with the Recruitment Services team was so important in this process. It helped us to prepare.”

Priya Chauhan Recruitment Services Manager in the Careers and Employability Service at the University of Bedfordshire helped the applicants by offering CV advice and conducting mock interviews. Priya said: “For an organisation like Infosys to come onto campus and offer our students an exclusive assessment day was a unique opportunity for Bedfordshire.

“So, being able to offer advice and training to the students applying for the graduate schemes was key in helping them to achieve their goals.”