Published: 9 November 2025
In early October, we welcomed Aishat Iyanda, Sunderland alumna and Senior HR Employee Relations Advisor at local NHS Foundation Trust, to UoSiL for an industry insights session.
In this article, Zahra Saeidinejad, MSc Public Health student, shares her take on the session:
Aishat’s talk included insight into her own career journey, why she joined the NHS, and advice on the most important skills to succeed in the NHS Graduate Management Scheme.
Here are five things I learned from her talk, which can help you when applying to any graduate opportunity including the NHS Management Scheme:
1. Learn to cope with change and unlock opportunities through volunteering
Aishat spoke of the initial challenges she faced when arriving in the UK: juggling motherhood, studies, work, friendships and a new environment. However, being open to change and embracing volunteering set her on course for a career in HR. From this, I’ve learned that volunteering in roles aligned with your goals is a valuable way to gain relevant work experience and develop professionally.
2. Gaining skills and learn how to communicate them
Part of job success involves gaining new skills whilst studying, especially ones valued by employers. I learned that strong time management and the ability to prioritise are vital. Taking on tasks beyond your studies and showing initiative helps demonstrate these skills to employers.
Good communication is also key: speaking up, asking the right questions, and building connections. Aishat highlighted that being shy can hold you back, so confidence and proactivity are important.
3. Gain additional qualifications beyond your academic studies
Gaining extra qualifications demonstrates your commitment to self-improvement, which can impress employers.
Students can benefit from lots of free short courses at UoSiL! Explore accredited certifications offered by the Digital Learning Team.
4. Learn from your rejections
“When I started applying for NHS jobs, I received many rejection emails. The key is not to let them discourage you. Kindly ask hiring managers for feedback.” I was really interested to learn that some of Aishat’s rejections happened because she was not a good fit for the roles she applied for. This made me reflect upon the importance of understanding person specifications, something I learned whilst attending a session with the Employability and Enterprise Team.
5. Be careful about using AI for applications
While using AI tools can be helpful, it’s important not to depend on them entirely.
Connecting with real people who have industry experience can help me shape a unique CV that reflects who I am. Attending Aishat’s talk also helped me gain application and interview tips, including the importance of researching the company before applying and practicing mock interviews to present myself effectively.
Students and staff can meet other experts in industry by attending our Industry Insight events.