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I’d always wanted to work in the public sector and chose the NHS scheme over other public sector grad schemes for a few reasons. Firstly, I could choose the region where I wanted to work. Secondly, the remuneration offered was better than many others and I could also do a post-graduate qualification. The biggest attraction was the importance of the service – I didn’t want a job where I was working just to make someone else richer.

Right now, I’m a service delivery manager in an acute trust, working across general medicine and critical care. I’m involved in all aspects of managing a service, from writing business cases through recruiting staff to deputising for senior managers. My biggest achievement so far has been my involvement in a project to streamline stock ordering on a particular ward. Aimed at creating cost savings, the project created a leaner ordering system and also helped to improve service: this more efficient system has helped to release more time for staff to spend with patients. In terms of cost, to date we have already saved in excess of £125,000.

I was really thrown in at the deep end, and just gaining the skills needed to do this job well in such a short space of time has been a real achievement. However, once you have the skills and knowledge, you’ve also got the confidence to start working more independently.

I very much see my future being in the NHS, as there are so many opportunities.

I was attracted to the NHS Graduate Scheme by the fact that I wouldn’t be driven by making money for a company but rather that I would be helping the public. I think the NHS is undervalued and I am a huge advocate for the NHS – by joining in HR, I’d be helping the staff to do their jobs and keep the NHS going.

I am currently working as an HR advisor for a large acute teaching hospital. There are around 5000 staff and I provide HR support to managers and advice to staff on a daily basis. I also spend a lot of time helping to develop policies and procedures and other smaller projects, such as a new starter handbook.

Most days bring some sort of achievement, whether major or minor – I’ve recently conducted my first investigation and, when you’re writing important letters, getting them checked and then having nothing changed is a massive achievement, especially when the consequences of getting it wrong are so serious. This morning I presented the HR section of Corporate Induction to 75 new starters including the Director of Communications (I didn’t know that at the time). I was nervous but I did it!

After the grad scheme I would like to be an HR Advisor for a couple more years to cement my operational experience and then look to moving into a managerial role.

I found out about the NHS Graduate Management Scheme through The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers; the NHS has consistently been placed in the top 10 and this is what initially attracted me to the scheme. When I found out more about the scheme, it was the opportunity to study for a post graduate diploma and post-graduate qualification that persuaded me to apply – along with the other forms of learning - experiential learning and action learning. I was also keen to take on responsibilities and to have my own role, which the scheme offers.

I am currently working as Associate General Manager for Medicine. I've already organised an event on diabetes for a range of stakeholders, which raised the issue of service redesign to the local Primary Care Trust, and I've produced a document to guide the future strategy for the diabetes and endocrinology specialties in the Trust. The work involved meeting with the consultants and other clinicians in the department to get an idea of what worked well in their service and what needed to be improved. The information I gathered will be used to guide new business cases for the coming year.

I’d like to achieve a merit in my Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management and Public Leadership, then find a management job and convert my diploma into a masters. I haven’t yet decided which part of the NHS I would like to work in, but I’ve enjoyed working in an acute trust and I’m looking forward to working at an advertising agency during my flexi-placement before my final placement at a primary care trust. My aim is to gain as much experience of the NHS as possible so that I have a wide range of options in the future.

I had worked at a few different hospitals before as a healthcare assistant in the university holidays and my interest in health issues attracted me to the NHS. I decided to join the management training scheme because it allowed me to work in an area of healthcare that I enjoyed and where I knew I could make a difference.

I mainly manage the day-to-day running of the Orthotics Department and its staff. I’m the budget holder for the department so I assist with financial management, and I’m heavily involved with the service improvement within the department and the more strategic issues. I’ve written the department’s business plan for the next few years and have carried out work around several future developments such as the introduction of GP direct access. Perhaps most impressively, I’ve reduced the waiting list from a total wait of 22 weeks down to 7 weeks.

The orthotic service and products are both out to tender at present. I had responsibility for producing the specifications for both and I am coordinating the process including evaluation of the tenders.

I have an interest in public health and want to gain experience in this field before ultimately deciding which area I would like to work in. In the next five years I hope to become a respected manager working towards a director level post.