# Project Description MILKYWAY Elena Zhou Summary Final work College Central Saint Martins Course MA Narrative Environments Graduation year 2025 In 2025, the UK raised the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas to £38,700, making it even harder for recent grads—especially Chinese postgraduates with limited experience—to qualify. For them, job hunting is about both career growth and visa security. To cover living costs during the Post-Study Work visa period, many graduates work in bubble tea shops. These jobs are accessible but rarely lead to sponsorship. MILKYWAY addresses this by linking part-time work to long-term goals. MILKYWAY is a recruitment platform built to help international graduates in London, especially those seeking Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. It connects graduates, bubble tea shops, and companies offering sponsorship, creating a supportive ecosystem. By leveraging the social nature of bubble tea culture, MILKYWAY turns part-time work into career opportunities. The platform offers tailored features like digital CV cups and industry-themed badges. Bubble tea shops benefit from better recruitment reach and new branding opportunities via partnerships with companies. MILKYWAY helps all stakeholders move from uncertainty to connection and opportunity. A project co-directed with Elena Zhou, Collaborators: Xavier Llarch Font, Project Consultant Chayan UK, Partnering Business Joseph, Data Analysis & Insights Final work How MILKYWAY Works MILKYWAY creates a structured employment ecosystem by connecting graduates, bubble tea shops, and companies offering visa sponsorships Showcasing MILKYWAY in Bubble Tea Shops As a strategic promotional tool to engage directly with target users, MILKYWAY utilizes storefront displays in bubble tea shops MILKYWAY CV cups QR codes linked to portfolios, printed directly on cups allows graduates to showcase their work anytime, anywhere, increasing exposure and facilitating connections with employers MILKYWAY Video Advert MILKYWAY unlocks opportunities by connecting graduates, employers, and bubble tea shops through smart hiring and tools Share this project In 2025, the UK raised the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas to £38,700, making it even harder for recent grads—especially Chinese postgraduates with limited experience—to qualify. For them, job hunting is about both career growth and visa security. To cove... A link to this page has been added to your clipboard Browse related work Community Digital Experiences Story & Myth Data Futures Health & Wellbeing Access, Ability & Inclusivity Social Justice Identity Marketing Systems WebDesign GraphicDesign