Kick start your career in Admin
There’s more to admin than paperwork. Senior PA, Jessica Winstanley talks about her career development.
The thing I am most proud of is achieving my apprenticeship.
Jessica Winstanley
Senior PA
Jessica’s story
I went to Leeds University but quickly realised that this wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue. I really wanted to start work so I looked for apprenticeships and found an ideal opportunity at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). I started training for my NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration in January 2009.
After finishing this course, I continued training, achieving two NVQ Level 3 qualifications in Business Administration and Customer Service. In August 2011, I joined the Recruitment and Resourcing Department as an Administrative Assistant. Here I was given the opportunity to continue my professional development by undertaking the ILM Certificate in First Line Management. This helped me secure my current role as Senior PA in the Pay Rewards Department.
I am now PA for three HR Business Partners and the Head of Performance Management & Practice Development.
I don’t have a typical day. It really depends on what’s needed. I arrange travel, make event bookings and organise workshops. I also help with job evaluation by supporting the administration process. I have to be highly organised and be able to think on my feet.
The thing I am most proud of is achieving my apprenticeship and using these skills to pursue a career at NHSBT. It was hard work but the on-site training and learning from inside the organisation really helped.
A lot of people don’t realise how many opportunities there are in NHSBT. It’s so wide and diverse, and a really inspirational organisation to work for.