Read what our former graduates say about working at the BMA
Fleur Nielsen – Assistant Secretary
General Practioners’ Committee
Representational and Political Activities
I came to the BMA in September 2002 after completing a BSc in Social Policy and Government. My group of graduate trainees were the first to go through the programme, and being on the scheme together we got to know each other really well and became good friends.
The BMA puts much effort into learning and development for the graduates from day one, and following on from the scheme they sponsored me to undertake a part-time Masters degree in Health Policy.
The best thing about being on the graduate programme was meeting different staff from across the entire organisation by rotating around departments. Moreover, you get to work on a wide variety of interesting projects. In my first placement in the Public Affairs division, I worked on a survey of GP vacancies across the country which ended in a national press release and lots of news coverage.
From the scheme I moved into the Science & Education department for a couple of years researching and writing reports on medical education, health and equal opportunities.
In 2005 I moved to the ‘political side’ of the organisation to the department representing GPs. I work now on negotiations between GPs and the Government and related policy and manage a team. The work is challenging, and the doctors and staff are all great to work with.
George Roycroft - Senior Policy Executive
Science and Education
Professional Activities
I joined the BMA in September 2004 as part of an intake of four graduates. For me, the best part of the scheme was the chance to work in a wide variety of different departments and with many different people.
In the Public Affairs division, I worked as a Press Information Officer; responding to media enquiries, drafting press releases, project work, and monitoring press stories. I also had the opportunity to sample life in Edinburgh when I spent a couple of weeks at the BMA Scotland National Office.
Regional Services provides members with support, representation and expert employment advice, here I shadowed the Employment Advisors and Industrial Relations Officers at employment tribunals and local negotiating meetings.
I also worked in the Science and Education department and moved into a permanent role here as a Research and Policy Executive where my work involved a combination of large-scale projects, briefings and various daily activities. I have since moved into a managerial role in the department and am now an acting Senior Policy Executive.
Paul Gadsby – Press Information Officer
Press Office
Communications
The BMA graduate scheme’s primary strength is its ability to provide both a unique overview of the organisation, while at the same time enabling all its participants to gain an in-depth understanding of each of the placements they rotate around. The main advantage of the latter point is that all graduates are allowed to spend real time gaining experience in different working environments and disciplines
I joined the scheme in 2004 and my placements varied from a sales and customer service stint in Marketing to a research and report based role in the Junior Doctors’ Committee. This variety was not only really enjoyable, but also helped me to pick up new skills and come to a balanced decision about where I wanted to pursue my career within the BMA.
Moving between departments helped me to build up a network of contacts, a good understanding of how the organisation works structurally and an appreciation of the different pressures and issues that each segment of the BMA faces.
One of my placements was in Press Office, where I acquired a permanent role after the scheme.
Through the scheme I gained a good knowledge of the wider BMA, something that is vital considering the Press Office’s wide ranging responsibilities across the organisation, and my specific placement in the department gave me a clear insight into the work that I would encounter in the role. Perhaps more importantly, I knew from first hand experience that I would enjoy the people, work and career that this area of the BMA had to offer.
Rachel Podolak - Senior Policy Executive
Junior Doctors’ Committee
Representational and Political Activities
I joined in 2006 and was attracted to the scheme for many reasons, the first being the opportunity to experience many different aspects of a well established professional association.
During the scheme, I was involved in various projects such as a new recruitment benefit for GPs, and a collection of medical equipment for medics working in Sub-Saharan Africa.
My next placement allowed me to see more of the trade union activity of the BMA. I worked for the Medical Student's Committee and wrote their Finance Guide, this led to a placement within the Junior Doctors Committee. The Committee is one of many in the BMA that supports doctors with regard to their terms and conditions of service and their educational and training needs.
I have since gained a permanent managerial position as a Senior Policy Executive within the department, and feel that through the wide ranging experience gained on the Graduate Scheme, I have discovered a rewarding and challenging role.