National Careers Week: Volunteering supported midwifery student in pursuing her dream career

To mark National Careers Week, University Hospital Tees is highlighting the experience of one former volunteers pathway into a career within the NHS.

Emily Addison is a former volunteer at the University Hospital of North Tees and is currently a full-time student undertaking a Midwifery degree at Northumbria University.

Emily regards her time volunteering on the post-natal ward at North Tees as vital experience that helped her to develop in confidence and to pursue the career she has always dreamt of – to be a midwife.

We recently sat down with Emily to find out a little more about her experience as a volunteer and how taking part in the ‘volunteer to career’ programme at University Hospital of North Tees, had a lasting impact on her:

When did you know you wanted to become a midwife?

I had known since around year 6 in primary school. At that time, my mam became pregnant with my little brother and I found the changes that happened fascinating. I used to sit in on the community midwife appointments and could see myself doing that role. The more research I did, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue.

I attended St John’s School and Sixth Form College in Bishop Auckland and took guidance from tutors regarding what subjects would support my career ambitions, studying A-levels in health and social care, sociology and psychology.

Why did you decide to volunteer and what role?

Volunteering was an easy choice for me. I had finished college, but didn’t have any experience within a healthcare environment. It was something that I knew would support the development of skills and qualities that are required for a career within midwifery.

I volunteered on the postnatal ward at North Tees and my duties included filling up water jugs for the new mums, making cups of tea and toast, help with handing out lunches, making up information packs for bottle feeding and breastfeeding and supporting with the flow of visitors during visiting hours.

How did volunteering and the experience within the trust help guide your career pathway?

Volunteering enabled me to see first-hand what a healthcare environment was like and how a ward operated from day to day. I was able to chat to some of the midwives to gain insight into what the role entails and it made me love it even more.

It provided hands-on experience and real-life examples of how I was able to communicate and work effectively as part of a team, that I could reflect upon as part of my application and interview process for university.

What is your future plan and ambitions?

I plan to carry on with my studies at university and to get a job in one of my nearby hospitals once my degree is complete. I’m loving all aspects of midwifery, but I can see myself working on either the delivery suite, or the postnatal ward long term.