# Graduate program

> What is the best structure for a graduate leadership program at a tech company?

- URL: https://essential.construction/exchange/question/graduate-program/
- Publisher: Essential Construction (https://essential.construction/)
- Last updated: 2023-04-29

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What is the best structure for a graduate leadership program at a tech company?

## Answers

### Answer 1

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.