Growing up in Jakarta, my interest in cities and the built environment brought me to explore London to study Urban Planning and Sustainability at UCL. I’m a Town Planner at NHSPS, specifically in the Developer Contributions team. My tenure at NHSPS started in August 2022 when I joined the company as a Town Planning Intern, a part-time role during my study in Sustainable Resources MSc. I then transitioned into the Graduate role in May 2023 and have enjoyed working with the team and the wide range of projects.
What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?
I stumbled upon the internship advert on LinkedIn and thought it would be a good chance to join and learn the property sector from the NHS as the world’s biggest health system. During my internship, I've been exposed to a wide range of topics, from planning policy to development management, and of course, the healthcare sector itself. Apart from working directly with the Town Planning team, I’ve also had the chance to work on some projects with the Energy & Environment team. It's the multidisciplinary nature of the role, combined with the opportunity to contribute to the greater good, that has really captured my interest to transition into full-time role at NHSPS.
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
I’d say being able to adapt quickly. Both the planning and healthcare sectors are dynamic landscapes, constantly evolving with new trends and challenges. Whether it's understanding the intricacies of planning regulations or staying current with advancements in healthcare, the ability to quickly learn, problem solve, and have a learning mindset is important.
- What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
It's a dynamic blend of tasks, from conducting desktop analyses to drafting planning policies and crunching numbers for developer contributions. Additionally, I spend time liaising with a broad range of stakeholders, both within and outside the NHS. This includes collaborating with other NHS organizations like NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Systems (ICBs) across England, as well as engaging with government bodies such as Local Authorities. What keeps me engaged is the multidisciplinary nature of the work and the hands-on experience of contributing directly to the healthcare system's improvement.
What is the company culture like?
Being an international graduate, I've found the company to be very welcoming. The company culture is built on collaboration, responsiveness, and open-mindedness, fostering an environment where everyone's contributions are valued. It's inspiring to see the remarkable commitments across colleagues to allow the best delivery of healthcare services and adapt to the evolving needs of the NHS.
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to applying for a similar role?
- Explore experience outside academics. This can be through internship, volunteer, or part-time role that can help you train soft skills needed in the workplace such as collaboration, problem solving, negotiation skills, and to gain more network outside university.
- Update your LinkedIn profile to maximise your visibility to recruiters and seek networking opportunities. You can reach out to professionals and ask questions about the industry - most of the time, people are willing to help.
- Tailor your application to the company you’re applying to. Look up their website to understand the company’s mission, values, ongoing projects, and explore how your skills and experience could align with it.
- Keep yourself updated on current trends, policies, and developments in your field of interest. Demonstrating knowledge of industry advancements during interviews can impress potential employers.
- Lastly, landing a role after university can be competitive these days especially for international graduates, so don’t get discouraged by setbacks and stay persistent!