Introducing Jess Keenan

Jess has recently completed the HEE graduate scheme and has now secured a permanent position in the GP team here in the north west.  

We spoke to Jess about her experience and here is what she has to say:

How did you hear about the graduate scheme?

I first became aware about the graduate scheme at HEE through a conversation with the careers service at my university. They mentioned all the graduate schemes that the NHS had to offer, and I then attended a webinar with Sir David Behan and Professor Wendy Reid about how HEE was tackling health inequalities. From then on I was committed to applying for the scheme at HEE and was thrilled to have been successful in securing a place with the Training Programme Management team in the north west.

What did the graduate scheme involve?

I was lucky to get the chance to shadow multiple teams across Training Programme Management over the last 10 months. I have supported projects with the Lead Employer, GP, Recruitment, Hospital and Community Care and Foundation teams within the function in the north west. I’ve also worked on a project looking at what Generation Z want from the workplace with others from the graduate/student placement scheme and it’s been great to meet with them on a few occasions. A big thank you to all the teams that have supported my placements over the last ten months.

Can you tell us your number one take-away learning point from the scheme?

Prior to starting at HEE, I hadn’t really considered how important workplace culture might be to me. I’d previously focussed on the job role or title and naively not looked at how organisations treat their workers as actual people rather than as employee numbers. I’ve been really impressed at how HEE’s commitment to its employees and values has been manifested in all the teams I’ve worked in. HEE have definitely set the bar high for how I will expect to be treated by an organisation going forward!

What has been your favourite moment of the graduate scheme?

Generally meeting any colleagues across the organisation in person have been the most memorable moments for me. As I take my first steps in my career, it’s been helpful to meet and chat with colleagues in the office, at away days and at wider conferences. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunities to learn from colleagues in person and build professional relationships whilst mainly having worked from home.

What are you looking forward to in your new role with HEE?

I’m looking forward to taking up more responsibility with a permanent position at HEE. I’m also extremely grateful that I can return to one of the teams I spent a few months with during my graduate scheme to continue to learn and develop professionally in a supportive and friendly setting. I’m looking forward to perhaps more time in the HEE offices too!

All 35 graduate places in September have been filled and we look forward to meeting the new cohort.