Lauren

I was a police officer for 13 years prior to joining the scheme., I think quite early on in my career, I realized that the job itself wasn't something that I wanted to do, long term exposure to criminality and all different things like that.

So, I was always quite interested though in the leadership and the dynamics of that, especially on frontline working and just how leaders could really impact a team's performance and things.

So, I was doing my open university degree, and I saw on their website about the English version of the Management Trainee Scheme and looked and obviously seen the, the NHS Scotland one, and I thought, yep, that's, that's for me, public sector still working for the public and I, know, that aligns with all my values.

So, when the opportunity came up after all my kids were at school, I took the chance, and I applied.

Thanks Lauren., and what have you enjoyed most about MTS?

I think for me, the wide variety of roles that I've been able to do, the exposure to all different parts of the health and social care system in Scotland, being part of the management scheme gives you exposure to senior management and senior leadership meetings that you perhaps wouldn't get exposure to in other jobs and, I guess with that, the, the learning that comes with that at a very quick pace. It's been a great experience for me.

Thanks very much, Lauren. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying for MTS?

So, I think my advice would be, if you're wanting that wider exposure, to leadership, to the health and social care system, then you should definitely go for it.

Bearing in mind it's very, it is very hard work, you do have to have a lot of self-motivation, put yourself forward in a lot of, scenarios and kind of be a pest, or what feels like a pest to certain people., but actually I've found that across the system everybody's quite receptive and open to sharing their experience with you and are keen to teach you their things. So, if you are going to apply bear in mind it is hard work.

You'll have your master's alongside it, which is a whole different ballgame to an undergrad degree if you've done one of those before.

That's excellent. Thanks very much. Lauren. Any other things you'd like to add?

No, nothing, more than what I've said. just, have a positive attitude and make sure that you're yourself as well throughout the whole kind of recruitment. From the application form right through, make sure you're true to yourself because, things will get exposed along the way, if you do try and hide your, your true personality as well.

Thanks very much, Lauren, that's great.