Worktree’s one-hour Career WorkOut sessions in schools attract all sorts of volunteers. Recently Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of MK University Hospital and credited with helping the Hospital achieve its highest Care Quality Commission rating ever last month, had his first go at it. Joe is the 15th NHS employee to have taken part since September.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to highlight the whole range of career opportunities available across the NHS,” said Joe, “not just in nursing or as a doctor, but the complete range of professions that support our local hospital.

Joe attended the 9-10am session at Hazeley Academy on 23rd November. He joined 11 other volunteer guests to answer questions about his work from small groups of 3-4 students aged 15-16.

“The students asked me questions about how I came to be the CEO, what educational qualifications I have, and what insights I could provide about working in the NHS,” said Joe. “It involved honest conversations about the challenges the NHS & I as a CEO, face on a day-to-day basis, and what tools/techniques I use to get me through each day.”

“The experience of Career WorkOut made me feel enthused that there were so many interested and energetic people asking pertinent and challenging questions. It gave me a really good insight into the impressions people have of the NHS, and an opportunity to expand people’s horizons about what the NHS could offer from a career perspective

“It made me think about what more I could do to encourage people to consider join the NHS/learn about all of the good work that is carried out in the NHS. It made me think about how we can harness the ideas and energy of the “next generation” in developing the NHS of tomorrow, as well as improving today’s NHS.

“It also made me reflect on my working day, how I add value as an individual and what more I can do to enhance the services here at the hospital.”

National Health Service organisations operating in and around MK have pledged a total of 65 volunteer hours to Career WorkOut during this school year.