SARAH:

Sarah Longair

Degree: Maths and Finance
Joined Stagecoach: 2002
Current position: Operations Director, West Scotland

"My career at Stagecoach proves what an excellent graduate scheme the company runs. After completing the two year graduate trainee programme, I was appointed Operations Manager of one of our depots in Manchester. The training programme had given me such a good grounding in the business that I was able to make a big impression very quickly. In turn, this led to my promotion to Operations Director of Stagecoach West Scotland. Once you reach management level, it's a case of the more you put in the more you get out. This is an ideas business. And, because there's no complex hierarchy, the flat structure leaves room for your ideas to be heard.

I'd say that the people skills you develop on the training programme are also hugely important. In Manchester, I had 396 drivers to manage, but I still tried to get to know every one by name. At times it feels like a big family - but you need to balance approachability with assertiveness. The scheme teaches you to lead by example and earn the respect of the people around you.

Looking back on my time on the graduate programme I'd say the things that really stood out were the training and the support we all received. Most of all, the scheme gives you the confidence to make the most of your natural abilities. There are enormous opportunities for people with skills, knowledge and self-belief. The scheme equips you with all of them, so I expect there will be plenty more Stagecoach graduates reaching Director level soon.”