Charlotte

Project: Environment and Regeneration

I came across the ngdp in my final year and instantly knew it was the scheme for me. The tag line ‘real life real work’ struck a chord. I wanted a scheme that not only offered me chances to develop, but also enabled me to make a difference to ordinary people’s lives, not just make fat cats fatter in the private sector.

The public sector offers genuine work life balance and equality and diversity, and more cutting edge projects than people realise. The scheme offers experiences across a variety of services, supported by an excellent academic base with the postgraduate diploma in local government management at Warwick Business School.

Don’t listen to those who scoff when you say you’re thinking of a career in local government. Schemes like the ngdp are breaking down these views – and rightly so. For instance, my current role includes lots of project management, and I do take real ownership of projects that do make a real difference to lives in Telford and Wrekin! As they say, it’s real life real work.

No two days are the same - I’m constantly learning and developing, taking forward valuable experience. And moving desks, teams and buildings every few months, I’ve built up fantastic contacts in all the different placements. I feel like I’m treated fairly, equally and with respect. I work on a flexitime initiative where I can claim back hours worked over my contracted hours as extra days’ leave.

By being part of a nationally recognised scheme has allowed me to benefit from being part of SOLACE graduate events, and from the postgraduate diploma. Also, here at Telford and Wrekin I’ve presented to Directors, shadowed the Chief Executive, gone on away days with the Cabinet and got involved in projects which I’d never have done without the ngdp behind me.

It’s important to be hard working, diplomatic and a quick learner. You have to get to speed fast on complex issues by learning from colleagues, councillors and the community. Local government issues are multi-faceted, and you need to reach solutions that endure fast changing politics and complex democratic processes.

As a new graduate, never underestimate how you can bring a fresh perspective to an issue. As part of the ngdp you get to put your views across to senior colleagues, which is both a privilege and an excellent learning opportunity.

I often drive home smiling to myself, thinking ‘I love my job!’. I know I’m lucky to work on diverse projects. From directing a film crew to collecting dumped rubbish bags to shadowing the Chief Executive, the ngdp provides so many chances to learn, progress, pioneer efficiency and develop positive change. We do more than bins!