 the National Railway Enquiry Service on 08457 484950.By AirStansted airport is 16 miles and Heathrow is 48 miles away.Madalina Pop is a graduate in the current cohort of our Graduate Management programme. Here, she talks about her move to London and how she’s been given the freedom to express herself.
I never imagined myself at my young age being in the middle of decision-making processes in one of the most iconic cities in the world, London. And yet, here I am! I’ve just finished a very productive meeting with the senior manager of Adults Commissioning in London Borough of Newham, with my lovely new team.
I’ve adapted so quickly to my new environment that you would think I’ve been working here for a while. The truth is, I’ve just started my placement three months ago, and honestly, I had no idea what commissioning was even about and how the health and social care public system worked.
My successful settlement is a result of my supportive supervisor, who I’m very lucky to have, alongside Skills for Care who made all this possible. I’m proud to be one of the 19 future influential leaders of the ninth cohort, and I feel grateful every day for the opportunity that has been given to me.
We’re all familiar with the ‘after graduation anxiety’ and with the numerous thoughts a student might have at the end of their studies. I was in that place but managed to overcome that stage by applying to this programme. As a current graduate, I can tell you there really is nothing more rewarding to do after your studies and it’s an exciting transition into a lucrative career.
So, why did I choose the public sector? I felt that my inputs would reach a wide range of people and that I could achieve a greater impact here, allowing me access to the steering wheel of decision-making, affording me a sound understanding of the various models of care and how I could make a difference.
I have been given the freedom to express my ideas in high level local projects, and I have learnt more in three months than in one year of university! With this placement I feel that I can help people every day and I can use my fresh ideas to improve people’s lives, innovating the public sector to enhance effectiveness of the services provided.
I’ve always been restless when it came to taking advantage of any opportunity which could develop myself from a personal and professional viewpoint. I can say for certain that this placement feeds my hunger for new experiences and raises my knowledge and skills to a brand new level.
The NHS leadership and management qualifications you get on the programme help to consolidate your learning, and even though I feel like a student again in some respects I’m grateful for the opportunities to develop my knowledge and experience.
Besides the professional side of work, being in contact with different people from different environments and settings has taught me how to behave and thrive in certain situations.
One of the things I love about working in this field is networking. I believe there’s nothing more valuable than exchanging ideas with people. Being exposed to such an environment has given me greater control over my emotional intelligence as I start to recognise more effectively my strengths and areas for improvement.
This programme is different. It’s not school, but it’s not the usual work environment. It’s an environment where I am free to present my input and where I’m valued for it. The horizon of opportunities is very bright as I’m poised to oversee some very interesting projects for 2020 – I’m looking forward to seeing how they will evolve! I can only praise this programme for the supportive coaching, guidance and encouragement and urge anyone to apply for it.
It may seem a bumpy and impossible road in the beginning, but as usual it’s all worth it in the end. No one ever said change was easy, but in my experience, it can make you more mature, responsible and dedicated.
When you finally realise that you’re responsible for other people’s wellbeing, not just your own, you become educated and your critical thinking starts to act as a constant reminder that you were not placed here just to exist, but to prevail.
Applications are now open to apply for the Graduate Management programme before 31 March 2020. Click here to find out more.TOPFLOOR’s Esti Barnes and her husband Russell spent Christmas and New Year in India, taking in the sights, sounds, colours and tastes of Mumbai and Kerala. In this blog post Esti shares some of the experiences they enjoyed.
‘Noisy, crowded, colourful and buzzing with energy, Mumbai is a city of contrasts, and it is this diversity that makes it a fascinating and eye-opening place to visit. It is the wealthiest city in the country and boasts some of the grandest and most beautiful colonial architecture in the world – one of our favourites was the breathtaking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, formerly Victoria Terminus, which was opened in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is an elegant example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
‘Then, in contrast to all the wealth and grandeur, there are the slums, where roughly 40% of the city’s population lives. The most famous one is Dharavi, where some of the scenes of the film “Slumdog Millionaire” were filmed and which is home to around 1 million people. We spent half a day there, marvelling at the many small-scale businesses producing textiles, pottery and goods made from plastic, metal, glass and paper, among other materials. The products are sold both domestically and internationally, generating an estimated annual turnover of up to $1billion a year.
‘Another place that left an impression on us was Dhobi Ghat, the world’s largest open-air laundry. Against the backdrop of the city’s skyscrapers, the male workers (or ‘dhobis’) hand wash the clothes and bed linen of Mumbai’s citizens, hotels and hospitals. The laundry gets collected every morning and is returned within 24 hours, without any mix-ups or lost items. It was interesting and humbling to observe such industriousness.
‘After Mumbai, we flew to the vibrant port city of Kochi, in the southwest state of Kerala. Kochi was a spice-trading centre for many centuries and was occupied by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British; as a result, it has a rich, multi-ethnic culture. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the distinctive and varied architecture and the harmonious co-existence of Hindu temples, Catholic churches and synagogues.
‘We stayed in Fort Kochi on the southern peninsula. Said to be the oldest European settlement in India, Fort Kochi is steeped in history and is, as a result, a popular tourist enclave. It is well worth wandering its streets to soak up the colonial charm. You can also take a tuk-tuk, complete with a driver/guide – but beware the lack of suspension and the heavy focus on shopping!
‘Our hotel, The Brunton Boatyard, is a delightful colonial-style building on the site of a former Victorian shipbuilding yard. We would recommend it wholeheartedly for its first-class service and delicious food.
‘Near Fort Kochi is Mattancherry, where we visited the Dutch Palace, which was built in around 1555 in the traditional Keralan architectural style. Today it is a museum, its main attraction being the exquisite murals depicting Hindu myths and legends.
‘Kochi also has a burgeoning art scene, most notably The Kochi-Muziris Biennale. It is a celebration of contemporary art from India and around the world and it was being held across 12 venues during our stay, so we were able to see some of the works being showcased.
‘Our next stop was the town of Kumarakom, which is a hugely popular tourist destination because of its location next to Vembanad Lake, with its labyrinth of tranquil backwaters. The best way to explore is, of course, by boat – the waterways are dotted with kettuvallums (traditional Kerala houseboats), which were originally grain barges but which have been converted into “floating cottages” for tourists wishing to take in the enchanting scenery.
‘You can sleep on a houseboat or opt for terra firma – we stayed at Hotel Vivanta Taj, which is made up of a series of villas around a beautiful lagoon.
‘Our final destination was the seaside town of Kovalam, with its three beautiful crescent beaches. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now Kerala’s most developed resort. We got away from it all at Niraamaya, an amazing spa retreat known for its Ayurvedic treatments. After the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and the colour and culture of Kerala, it was the perfect way to end our holiday!
We loved Kerala’s beautiful backwaters, beaches and tropical greenery. It seemed cleaner than the north of the country, and we saw far fewer animals sharing the roads with the traffic! The climate was hot and dry, but tolerably so, and the people warm, smiley and eager to help. The Keralan cuisine was also a real highlight – invigoratingly spicy, with lots of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cumin and coconut as well as wonderful fresh seafood and fish. A curry lover’s paradise! They consider cooking a very important craft, preparing each meal with great pride.
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