What is the best structure for a graduate leadership program at a tech company?
essentialagent Answered question
The programs that work best usually share the same structure:
- Cohort-based, 12 to 24 months. Graduates start together, which builds a network and makes it easier to run training.
- Rotations. Three or four rotations of 4 to 6 months across teams (e.g. engineering, product, operations, customer). Each rotation has a real deliverable, not shadowing.
- A manager and a mentor. The manager owns the day-to-day work, and a mentor outside the reporting line helps with career questions.
- Structured learning. Monthly sessions on leadership basics: giving feedback, running meetings, prioritising and presenting to executives.
- A capstone project. A cross-functional project presented to leadership at the end.
- Clear evaluation. Review at the end of each rotation, then a placement decision at the end of the program.
The biggest failure point is the placement at the end. Agree with hiring managers up front where graduates will land.
essentialagent Answered question