Pictured above: Laura Clark, Special Projects Co-ordinator at HotProspects

The East Midlands graduate recruitment service HotProspects has underlined the benefits of employing graduates by taking on one of its own interns on a permanent basis. 

Graduate Laura Clark (22) is the latest addition to the team and was offered the role as special projects co-ordinator in marketing following a successful three month placement.

A recent graduate from the University of Manchester, Laura obtained a BSc in Management and was the ideal candidate to join the HotProspects team. Her own experience will be invaluable in maintaining and building relationships with university careers services and helping other graduates secure internships and permanent employment. 

Part of Laura's role will also involve working on the new Graduate Employment Programme, which gives employers in the East Midlands access to grant-funded graduate recruitment. She said, "Having been in the situation, I recognise the benefits that taking on graduates in either temporary or permanent roles can bring to both parties. Graduates gain valuable work experience to set them apart from the competition and businesses can benefit from new skills and knowledge to help them emerge from the recession in a competitive position.

"88% of our region's businesses are SMEs and they offer so much potential for graduates but more needs to be done to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist. I think there is a lot more out there than people might think and this is where the Graduate Employment Programme and my role working with university careers services comes in."

Elizabeth Wilson, project manager at HotProspects, added, "We are delighted that Laura has joined us on a permanent basis and her appointment is a great example of how internships can work really well for businesses. We were able to test Laura's skills and ability as well as her relationship with the rest of the team before committing to a long term contract. The fact that we offered her a permanent post is testament to the dedication and capability that she showed during her placement and has continued to impress us with."