Hailey Pottinger

“After graduating with a first in MMath Mathematics I went on to join the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. After several general management placements based in community health, commissioning, and acute hospital services, I passed the graduate scheme and secured a role as Operational Manager for Neurosciences at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

I chose the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme as I knew I wanted to work with people in my career, and I wanted to work for a company whose vision, values and purpose I could identify with. I also knew I wanted to learn a whole new set of skills, and be challenged to keep on learning and developing as I had throughout my degree.

To prepare for the competitive process of applying for graduate schemes, I attended interview skills and assessment centre sessions organised by the Careers Service. I also attended a number of talks by employers about graduate opportunities, which was how I actually found out about the NHS Graduate Management Scheme.

There are a lot of opportunities for career development, including operational management, masters level education, or healthcare analytics in the NHS. Working in the NHS supporting healthcare professionals and helping patients is such an interesting, challenging and rewarding career. I hope to stay working in NHS management for the next few years at least.”