Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

I am responsible for:
Coordinating the Rewards and Recognition schemes for current employees within the Trust.
Coordinating the delivery and analysis of the NHS Annual Staff Survey, feeding back to all divisions Trust-wide
Working alongside the OD Manager to implement and develop an employee engagement program.

I am only just beginning my placement at CMFT but have already undertaken a one year placement at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals where I worked as a HR Advisor for the Surgical Division.

I worked here from September 2012-August 2013. I was responsible for supporting managers with sickness absence cases, performance management, disciplinary, grievances and bullying and harassment cases. I provided recommendations to General Managers following an analysis of the NHS Annual Staff Survey Results. I was involved in organisational change, job profiling and I was responsible for providing a case for change for the induction process for new recruits.

In September 2013, I started at the NHS NW Leadership Academy as a Leadership Development Manager for 2 months. Whilst in this placement, I created a program specification for an event on The Importance of Adding Social Value, which will be a development event provided to senior managers within the NHS.

I worked alongside the Interim Deputy Director to create a business proposal to host the NHS Innovation Fellowship, helped to organise the North West Graduate Management Training Scheme 2013 Welcome Event, undertook process maps and suggested changes to the induction process.

I really enjoy the variety of people I meet on a day-to-day basis, as well as the variety of work as I am always challenged and never bored!

Being part of a Graduate Scheme also means you meet lots of other Trainees, so you get to make lots of new friends!

The key challenge is balancing doing a full-time job (9-5, and sometimes more) with the education side. In my first year of the scheme, I was working towards a MA in HRM, as well as a PG Certificate in Leadership and Service Improvement, which I have now successfully completed.

I am still studying towards the MA in HRM, so have to be very self-motivated in order to finish work in the evening and get on with my assignments!

The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme appealed to me due to the strong focus on personal development, the range of work placements and the reputation of the scheme. Four of the five last CEO's of the NHS are alumni of the Scheme, so it is highly regarded across the NHS.

I chose the HR specialism due to being a people person and being passionate about helping others to develop their skills and abilities. Also, as part of the scheme you work towards a Masters in Human Resource Management, which is CIPD recognised and will allow me to get a job in HR following the scheme. The Masters is funded by the scheme, which was a key appeal to me when applying. Also, the benefits of working in the NHS such as 27 days of annual leave, flexi-time and 20% off at Nandos!

In the job I'm doing now, it did not matter WHAT degree I had, as long as I had a 2:2 or higher! I do find the skills I learnt and developed at University have helped me in this job such as confidence, presentation skills, analytical skills and the ability to think creatively.

The training on the NHS Graduate Scheme is incredible. There are 4 specialisms; General Management, HR, Finance and Informatics. Depending on your specialism you work towards a qualification - for example in HR I am working towards a MA in HRM, and for finance you finish the scheme CIMA qualified.

All trainees in my cohort studied towards a PG cert in Leadership and Service Improvement from Manchester Business School or Uni of Birmingham. General Management Trainees then continued this to MSC level. This has now changed and all trainees do the Mary Seacole NHS Core Program.

We also have action learning sets and do experiential training through the Kings Fund. These are all scheme provided. Your placement may then choose to provide you with further training.

Immediately after finishing University, I spent a few weeks inter-railing around Europe. This was a great experience to have after the hard-work of third year, and although I didn't gain any qualifications, it helped my time management, organisational skills and I met a lot of interesting people!

September 2011-July 2012:
Research Assistant for a Private Sector Company specialising in directories for the public sector.
This was my first experience of full-time work, so in that respect was invaluable. It gave me experience of working in a team, working extensively with MS Office, communicating with a variety of individuals, being adaptable and flexible, and motivating myself.

September 2012 I started the NHS Graduate Management Scheme. I have so far undertaken two placements, which I detailed earlier, as well as achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Service Improvement.

In the future, I see myself graduating from the NHS Graduating Scheme with a Masters in Human Resource Management. I hope to get a job in the NHS following this, and progress as I gain more experience.

Get as much experience as you can whilst at University! I did the Skills for Work, the Sheffield Graduate Award and had a number of part-time jobs, both in term-time (for the Development and Alumni Relations Office) and in holiday-time. . It shows future employers that you are willing to go the extra mile and have something else to offer other than a degree. Lots of people have a degree!