Rebecca’s Graduate Scheme Success
We caught up with Musical Theatre graduate Rebecca, who was a Graduate Trainee as part of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.
Congratulations on finding your graduate role, how did you do it?
Upon graduating, I was uncertain about the career options available to me with a degree in Musical Theatre. I also had an interest in business and marketing and had been considering postgraduate study in this area. However, during my time at Winchester, I heard about graduate schemes, but the general consensus was that such opportunities were impossible to secure. After conducting extensive research, I discovered that many graduate schemes had acceptance rates of 3% or lower. This realisation made me understand the importance of carefully selecting the right schemes to apply for. To facilitate this process, I created detailed charts, spreadsheets, and pros-and-cons lists, and after a thorough year-long search, I applied to three highly competitive graduate schemes. I made the decision to delay my applications for a year, as I felt it was crucial to be fully prepared for such a competitive process. During this time, I secured work experience in an office environment, which I believed would strengthen my application. As a result, I was offered two out of the three graduate schemes to which I had applied.
How do you think your degree prepares you for your graduate role?
My degree has effectively prepared me for my current role by fostering confidence, enhancing my interpersonal communication skills, and nurturing creativity. In my current position within management, I am responsible for overseeing and evaluating the relationship between the organisation and its employees, with a particular focus on maintaining a productive and positive work environment. My role encompasses a variety of responsibilities, including conflict management and dispute resolution, ensuring legal compliance with labor laws, engaging in collective bargaining, managing union relations, and analysing workplace culture. I believe that studying an arts subject, specifically Musical Theatre, has equipped me with a unique perspective. The majority of my role involves generating innovative ideas for shaping the organization, often requiring me to present to senior management, chair meetings, lead teams, and take on leadership responsibilities in high-pressure situations. My background in Musical Theatre has significantly contributed to my ability to think creatively in challenging scenarios and to confidently take on leadership roles, unafraid to step into the spotlight when needed. I truly do believe that doing my Musical Theatre degree at Winchester has helped me in my career.
What is the most enjoyable part of your graduate role?
The NHS operates at an exceptionally rapid pace, with each day presenting new challenges and opportunities. As part of the graduate scheme, I am pursuing my master's degree while fulfilling the full-time responsibilities required by the program, in addition to undertaking a leadership and management qualification. This commitment reflects the substantial investment the NHS makes in its graduates, a support system that I truly appreciate. I am deeply engaged in this scheme because it provides a sense of value and recognition. I thrive in challenging environments and feel not only consistently pushed to grow but also well-supported. The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to influence the way we deliver patient care within the NHS by providing vital support to our staff.
What key skills are you using in your graduate role?
I would say the following:
-Leadership
-Mediation
-Negotiation
-Labour law and compliance knowledge
-Project management
-Change management
What’s next for you?
(Since writing this blog Rebecca has moved onto a new role, an updated response is below)
I was approached for a new role so I will be moving on to a secondment with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to work as a business consultant. PwC is one of the ‘Big 4’ largest professional service firms in the world where I will be working with a large global client base. I will be working with firm partners and other consultants to aid clients improve their business performance and find innovative solutions to their workforce problems. I will be involved in developing and implementing solutions, managing change, and ensuring the client’s successful adoption of those solutions. After this, I will be back working at Cambridge University Hospitals working with the Director of Workforce to lead large national strategic projects.
At Winchester, our careers team are here to support you for life upon graduation. You can contact them through the University's Careers Hub.
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