From operations and events to HR, sustainability and project management, hear how our graduates have built their careers, developed new skills and discovered opportunities across Compass.

Meet Beth Connelly, Project Manager. Graduate Scheme October 2021 – October 2023. SEC. Degree: International Business with Modern Languages, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

“I learnt the value of networking and building strong relations with colleagues, clients and partners - it really is powerful.”

It was the food element of Compass that attracted me to the Graduate Programme. I love cooking, so that, along with the sporting events and live opportunities, really appealed to me. I liked how wide the roles were – especially as I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do.

My first rotation was an operations focused Events Manager at the SEC in Glasgow. As it was during the Covid-19 pandemic, I didn’t get a typical experience, so my rotation was extended to one year, which allowed me to get more exposure at the site and get a real understanding of how it worked.

Following this, I moved into the central Levy team in sustainability. It was a really interesting time and I gained lots of experience and opportunities to network. My final rotation was as a Customer Engagement Manager. This was a fantastic experience and allowed me to get a taste of what it could be like working and living in London, which I was considering at that time.

I decided that London wasn’t where I wanted to stay, so in my final rotation, I got in touch with my SEC line manager to see if there were any openings coming up, and they offered me a brand-new role.

I learnt so much on the Graduate Programme. From a deep understanding of how the contracting catering and live event industry works, to how to plan and manage events in different sectors and environments, and even how to manage complex projects.

Compass is an exciting place to be as there are so many opportunities within the business to continually evolve. My aim is to continue to grow and learn new things, and provide real value to the business and the wider communities we work in.

Meet Felix Wiese, Operations Management Graduate Programme. Sports Development, University of the West of Scotland – Joined October 2025.

“There are so many opportunities to experience different sectors, build relationships across the business, and continuously develop both professionally and personally.”

My route into operations wasn’t originally planned. During university, I had initially considered a career in teaching, however working in supermarket operations alongside my studies gave me exposure to fast-paced, customer-focused environments and sparked my interest in operational management. By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that combined people, problem-solving, and operational delivery, which ultimately led me to Compass’ Operations Management Graduate Programme.

I joined Compass in October 2025 and began my first rotation within ESS in Aberdeen, supporting compliance and operational processes. It was an excellent introduction to both the business and the wider industry. The team created a highly supportive environment that allowed me to build confidence quickly, develop a strong operational foundation, and gain valuable insight into how large-scale contracts are managed.

My current rotation in London has provided a completely different perspective and has accelerated my development significantly. I’m now working within a unit-based operational support role, supporting day-to-day operations within a fast-paced and highly dynamic environment. The role has strengthened my ability to adapt quickly, manage priorities, and communicate effectively to multiple stakeholders, while also giving me valuable exposure to operational delivery at scale.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the graduate programme has been the breadth of exposure it provides. Across each rotation, there are constant opportunities to engage with different sectors, visit sites, collaborate with experienced leaders, and build relationships across the organisation.

The graduate network itself has also been a major highlight. Working alongside colleagues across operations, finance, and data has created a strong support network and an environment where ideas, experiences, and knowledge are shared openly.

What I value most about the programme is the level of opportunity it creates early in your career. As a graduate, you are encouraged to ask questions, take initiative, and actively explore different parts of the business. That exposure allows you to develop a much broader understanding of operations and helps you identify where your strengths and interests align long term.

My focus at this stage is on continuing to develop as an operations professional, gaining experience across different sectors, and building the leadership and commercial skills needed to progress.

My advice to anyone considering the programme would be to stay adaptable, proactive, and open to every opportunity. The people you meet, the experiences you gain, and the challenges you take on all contribute significantly to your development, and the more engaged you are, the more rewarding the experience becomes.

Meet Holly Young-Ferguson, Associate People Business Partner, ESS - Energy, Government & Infrastructure. Degree: Hospitality & Tourism and Human Resources, Strathclyde University.

“I gained lots of different skills and experienced so many amazing things on the course. I didn’t have very much confidence before I started, and it has 100% helped with this.”

While I was a student, I worked for Levy at a Scottish venue, and my manager recommended the Compass Graduate Programme to me. It offered experience in both fields that I was studying and interested in as a career, so it was the perfect opportunity for me.

My first rotation was within Lodestone House as an Operations Coordinator, supporting Unit Managers across several sites. From there I moved to an Edinburgh tourist attraction, with a focus on Events Management, before joining the HR team for Levy in Scotland. My final rotation was at ESS in Aberdeen, working as an Operations Support Coordinator, and I’m thrilled to have moved into my current role as Associate People Business Partner.

I’ve learnt so much during my time on the Grad scheme. You get exposure to so many different skills and how to handle lots of situations.

The highlight of the experience for me has been being able to work for an organisation where you can add to the social value they offer and play a part in making a difference. Compass allows lots of opportunities to give back, in terms of charity events and through colleague networks. I’ve loved being a part of these activities alongside my day-to-day work.

The thing I was most surprised by is that I found my ideal role at ESS. It was an area of the business that hadn’t been on my radar previously, with both the location and the sector an unfamiliar territory for me. I’m so pleased that I gave it a try and I’m now developing my role here.

I’d really recommend the Graduate Programme to others considering it - especially those who haven’t decided their career path yet.

 Meet Arjan Singh, Graduate Operations Manager. Economics and Business, Nottingham Trent University - Joined October 2025.

“It’s not necessarily one or two things that you learn. You become a better individual and more well-rounded.”

Coming out of my Economics and Business degree at Nottingham Trent, I wasn’t looking for a role that would lock me into a single path. I wanted the chance to explore, to work across different parts of a big organisation, to have an opportunity to travel and time to figure out - through real experience - what I’m best suited to.

I started in October 2025 at the SEC in Glasgow — a city I already knew well, having done a university placement there. Returning felt natural, and that familiarity gave me a strong foundation for my first six months. Over the course of that rotation, I worked across every single team: operations, event planning, marketing, finance, logistics, and more. It gave me great insight into how large arenas and conference sites actually run.

It was a fascinating experience. Sometimes events involve problem solving and learning how to overcome those challenges in the moment has been one of the most valuable things I’ve taken from the programme so far.

Beyond the technical knowledge, the people have been the real highlight for me. Glasgow gave me the chance to meet colleagues from across the business, build connections, and grow a network I’m already drawing on. That’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the scheme, and one of the things I’d mention first to anyone thinking about applying.

I’m now in my second rotation, working in the E15 Insights team and focusing on data, which is a role that really suits me.

Further down the line, I’m interested in broadening my commercial awareness by gaining exposure to new aspects of the business, but for now, my focus is on doing this rotation well, making the most of every connection, and letting the programme show me where I’m headed.

My goal for the programme is to make connections, network, see what I enjoy — and secure a role at the end of it.

Meet Skye Fass. Degree: Human Geography, University of Edinburgh · Joined October 2025.

“I wanted a job straight out of university that felt productive to my career. This programme gave me exactly that.”

When I graduated, I wanted a job that would build my career from day one and the Compass Graduate Scheme offered exactly that. The fact that my first rotation was based in Edinburgh, close to home, made it an easy decision. Having familiar faces around me as I transitioned into the workplace for the first time made the adjustment so much smoother.

My first six-month rotation was at the EICC in Edinburgh. I’d never worked in a conference centre before joining, but that was part of the appeal. My role took me across operations, sales, finance, and the kitchen - a breadth of experience that gave me a real understanding of how the business works as a whole.

I’m now in my second rotation, based at Tavistock Square in London, working in the sustainability team, and I love it. It’s an area I hope to work in eventually, so it’s a perfect placement for me. It’s also great to have an opportunity to experience working in London without committing to it long term.

The two-year programme, which runs until September 2027, has already taken me further than I expected, not just professionally, but personally. Leading a team for the first time is a new skill that I’m currently developing, but more than that, I feel like I’m really changing as a person through my learning, and that has been somewhat unexpected.

Looking further ahead, I’m still exploring where my path will take me. But I know the kind of career I want: one where I feel I’m making a positive difference — in sustainability, in people, in inclusion. I’m drawn to the fact that Compass shares those values, and that this isn’t just something I’ve found in the sustainability team; I’ve felt it from colleagues across every part of the business I’ve worked in. My highlight of the programme so far is definitely how open everyone has been – open to teaching and to a new young person joining the team. All the people I’ve worked with have been friendly, helpful and patient, which has made my experience so positive.

My advice for anyone considering a graduate scheme is that it really is what you make it. You get out what you put in, so be open-minded and excited — even when you’re unsure.