My name is Darren Cousins.
Iím a doctor who is working as a consultant in sexual health and HIV and I studied the
MSc in Health and Public Leadership here in Birmingham.
My name is Tanya Holzmann and Iím an ENT surgeon by background but I am currently working
for the London Olympics and I also studied an MSc in Public Health and Leadership.
We were really lucky because it was the first time that medics have been invited to join
this particular graduate scheme, so itís actually run jointly between Birmingham University
and Manchester Business School so it was a fantastic opportunity to get expertise from
both areas.
We are doctors working in Manchester basically so we are a self-selecting group that were
interested in management and leadership so this was the next step really that took us
forward in terms of actually getting a masters level degree.
And it also allowed us to continue with our normal jobs and learn about all this side
of things as well, so you know, allow us to progress whilst not taking any time out from
our training which was really important to us as well.
I think one of the main things was the variety of people who were on the course.
It was a fantastic opportunity to network, and actually learn a lot because itís not
just the faculty that you are learning from, itís the other members because often theyíre
not first time graduates as well, particularly on this course so you can get a lot of advice
and information and really learn a lot from other people on the course.
I would also say itís quite a relaxing environment as well by having time away from our clinical
commitments actually it got a lot of us in a room at the same time so you just start
to learn with each other really and pick up good habits and good practices and good ideas
from different people on the course actually, in a way thatís separate from your normal
hospital environment.
Itís a fantastic opportunity to break down stereotypes as well because you do have a
kind of doctor stereotype and a manager stereotype and we are trying to bridge that gap, and
the nice thing is that you are working with the next generation and you can influence
each other about modifying those stereotypes that most people have, and I think itís really
worked hasnít it?
Yes.
Yes, itís definitely made a difference and itís been really encouraging to other people
as well.
And the set up both here and in Manchester has been really helpful so things like the
library services, you know, if you ask for advice you will get it, various aspects relating
to the admin of the course actually have been really well managed, so I think the key thing
with any management course, management degree is really that itís not going to turn you
into a manager or a leader by itself so actually what you are looking to do is acquire skills
that you will then take into your post to then move forward.
You could argue that every consultant in the NHS is a leader and actually this does help
you to acquire some skills so you are not just starting as a consultant and actually
thinking you know what on earth do I need to do next, it actually gives you a framework
to really start questioning things and to influence your departments.
I think for me I think the networking has been a massive influence on my career and
as a result of it, itís led to me being able to work for the London Olympics this year,
which is a fantastic opportunity and that in itself has led to other things so again
I think itís about , this is just a stepping stone.
It supplies the skills for you to move on to do exactly what you want to do and for
me I donít want to lose my clinical skills because thatís what gives me a bit of an
edge to being a clinical manager but equally you are learning skills that you need to take
you to that next level and I think thatís what has been so fantastic.
My career is definitely taking off!