A workplace where I can grow and thrive

Kickstart intern, Billie Rae, joined CPL just over two months ago. He reflects on his time with us so far in this blog post.

When I made the decision to take a year’s leave of absence from my degree in History and French at the University of Cambridge, I had no idea what I was going to do.

I knew I wanted to work in some way, but beyond that all I could see were endless bureaucratic hoops to jump through, choices that didn’t work out for me and well-meaning acquaintances coming at me with their “shoulds" and “shouldn’ts". It was hard to make plans and find direction when everything seemed to be happening to me all at once.

I applied for my position as a content assistant at CPL through the Kickstart Scheme, which I became eligible for after applying for Universal Credit. This helped me to get out of the rut in which I’d found myself. 

Being in full-time employment for the first time was nerve-racking, but my line manager and my other colleagues worked hard to make me feel welcome and I found myself settling in really quickly. 

It’s great to have found a job where I can use the writing skills I already have to help me learn new ones and start building towards a career. I’ve already picked up new techniques in content writing, editing and proofreading and am looking forward to learning more about the journalism and publishing sector.

I’m transgender and have an invisible disability, so applying for and starting new jobs can be an overwhelming experience for me. CPL’s warm social atmosphere and commitment to inclusivity means I feel I am respected as an individual for my skills and personal qualities. 

I have found a workplace where I can truly grow and thrive. I have really enjoyed my first two months with CPL and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds.