By Amelia Darling, People Business Partner, Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
BSc Biomedical Sciences 2013, Masters in Biological Sciences by Research 2014
Deciding what to do after your degree can be daunting. Some people have their 5-10 year plan ready before they even start at RHUL, others still can’t picture themselves in 1 years’ time let alone 5. I fell somewhat into the latter, choosing a BSc & Masters in Biological Sciences due to aptitude without thinking of post-uni life.
I have always enjoyed science, curious about how the world works and helping people through advances in the biomedical sciences field. However, it was during my final years at RHUL that I realised that my strongest skillset and passions weren’t being tapped into: interpersonal skills and human behaviours. This led to a brief (slightly panic/timeline driven) reflection on what matters to me:
- Meaningful work
- People, relationships and their behaviours
- Continuous learning
To do this exercise yourself, check out this simple Values Exercise and see what careers fit into your aspirations: MindTools | Home. If your work and life align to your values, you will find yourself more fulfilled and happier. If they contradict each other, you may find yourself unmotivated and conflicted.
Looking at my work ‘values’ above, the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS) ticked all those boxes (And then some).
- Meaningful work – what’s more meaningful than working in our National Health Service and making a difference to the lives of millions of people?
- People, relationships and their behaviours – hello HR stream!
- Continuous learning – a wealth of experiential learning as well as more traditional qualifications such as a PGDip and PGCert
What is the NHS GMTS?
The NHS GMTS is a national training programme taking on 250 trainees with a vision of developing the future leaders within the following 6 specialisms:
As a trainee you will have 2 placements in the NHS in your chosen specialism and then 1 flexi placement that you plan where you can even go outside of the NHS. As a part of the HR stream, I worked at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Ambitious about Autism (charity). Alongside this on the job learning, you study for a PGDip in your chosen specialisms and to at least PGCert level in Healthcare Management (EGA). This is then all underpinned through a tight support network of residential experiential learning days, mentors and action learning sets galore.
Recruitment Process
Pre-Covid this would be a mix of in person and online activities. However, in light of technological awakening the process is now online and compromises of the following stages:
- Stage 1 is a strength based online assessment
- Stage 2 includes work-based scenarios with video responses to showcase yourself as an individual
- Stage 3 is the half day Virtual Assessment Centre which will put you through your paces.
The recruitment process can seem intense but is just making sure that the scheme is right for you and you are right for the scheme. I applied for the scheme twice having been unsuccessful the year before, so it can take perseverance!
End note
A job for life is now a rarity instead of a given - even now I am still unsure where I will be in 5 or 10 years. It is far more important to understand what matters to you (your values and aspirations) now and choosing something that will make you feel fulfilled and even happy!
The NHS is not an easy place to work – it faces many challenges, is in the news constantly and everyone will have an opinion (lots of them polarising). But (and it is a big but!) you will be joining an organisation that touches upon everyone’s life and working with amazing people who are working hard to make a difference to their community.
Tips:
Understand what matters to you in your role – your degree does not dictate your career (though in some cases it does help!). You spend so many hours at work and there is so many roles out there, that regularly taking time to reflect can help set you up for life
Do your research – whether it is the NHS GMTS scheme or something else, please do you research. You may see a job description online but do you really know what they do or what it is like to work there? Speak to the people in those roles via LinkedIn, email or even telephone. Shadowing, volunteering and work experience can also be a great way to try before you buy.
Mentors and coaches can help you achieve your aspirations. Mentors are people who are (usually) senior to you in your ideal career choice who can provide advice and guidance on how to achieve your goals. A coach also supports you achieve your goal however, instead of giving you advice, understands that you have all the answers and just helps unlock your potential. Mentors and coaches can often be found through networking events or via Linkedin.