Genius Within
Genius Within CIC is a social enterprise helping people with neurodiversity to fulfil their potential in employment and their careers. They are working towards a future where neurodiversity is valued by employers, and individuals can maximise their potential and work to their strengths; where those with problems at work or in custody receive the diagnosis, coaching and support that they need.
Nancy Doyle: Managing Director
Who introduced you to Birkbeck Talent?
I met up with Eleanor (Recruitment Manager) as she was setting up the service. I thought it was an excellent idea, especially as I was interested in recruiting Birkbeck students. As a previous Birkbeck student myself, I know how rigorous the Occupational Psychology course is; it isn't just a case of being taught the technical details, but the thought process, including ethical dilemmas, for example, so that one develops a critical lens which is very important for consulting.
What do you think sets Birkbeck students apart from the rest?
Birkbeck students tend to work and study at the same time, which shows them to be a lot more motivated and self-starting in both their working and student life. I also found that Birkbeck students have the ability to question and challenge, which one does not always find in those who come from other channels. I think that the diversity of people studying at Birkbeck makes the university stand out too.
What was good about recruiting through Birkbeck Talent?
The Birkbeck Talent team were positive and proactive, and they put forward candidates of a very high calibre. They were not like other recruitment agencies – they had more substance, as well as energy and passion. The whole process was super easy, the team was really on it. I would absolutely recommend them to other employers. In fact, I have recently!
What do you look for in a candidate?
Firstly, an interest in and an appreciation of the work that we do at Genius Within. The ability to communicate across different platforms is important; to be passionate and driven. Of course, the right studies will help but it depends on the job.
How have your recruits fitted in?
Oh, wonderfully! Irina was a complete match from day one. She was really motivated and passionate about what she does, and had some great experience which she brought to the role as well. To be honest, we have been very happy with all our Birkbeck recruits. One of the really noticeable aspects is the quality of the writing up of the reports – they’ve been absolutely outstanding.
What is it like to have a member of staff who is also studying in the evening? How have their studies at Birkbeck been useful to your company?
It has always been very positive for us, because their studies complement what we do, feeding into our research evidence and helping us to develop the wide range of related skills. Basically, they support the organisation by bringing in all the emerging developments in the field, so we are kept up to speed!
Why should Birkbeck students and graduates apply to work at Genius Within?
We’re a really new and dynamic company, applying Occupational Psychology to the areas where people need it most. As we’re quite a small company, we offer a lot of freedom and flexibility. There’s always room for creativity, and our team often start up their own projects.