Current employer: Siemens Healthineers
Current job title: Customer Service Manager
Current location: Chepstow, South Wales – serving the South West and South Wales
“I am a huge advocate of Plymouth University and Plymouth in general. It’s a great university city and the students are at the heart of it. The University has invested in its resources, facilities, and teaching and it has really developed during my time there.”
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
After graduating, Siemens accepted me on their two year Healthcare Business Graduate programme which I started in October 2012. I worked on business improvement projects throughout the organisation, providing a well-rounded view of the company. Since that time I have worked within our Customer Services department. After five years with Siemens I am currently a Customer Service Manager responsible for a team of 20 engineers who service, maintain and fix healthcare imaging and pathology equipment such as MRI scanners, advanced X-ray systems and blood testing instruments. This role also requires me to manage NHS and private hospitals in the South West and South Wales region to build business through maintenance contracts and ensure satisfaction with our service provision.
Has your career path changed since graduation?
As most graduates will experience, the demand for graduate jobs often outweighs the supply! Graduate schemes are particularly attractive and I found they offer a great opportunity for development and progress whilst also giving yourself time to truly understand specific job roles. The graduate scheme helped me to identify what was important to me and where my strengths lie. I am now really happy in my position in which I act as the face of Siemens Healthineers for service customers in the South West and South Wales.
What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?
The technology that Siemens Healthineers develops is really innovative, being able to witness the use of cutting edge medical technology is very exciting! Research by a customer into drug and alcohol addictions using functional MRI techniques, where brain activity is measured, I found particularly fascinating! It is very satisfying to work in a company developing technology that is being used to help save lives.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get in to the same line of work?
I would say the age demographic within healthcare companies is imbalanced, so there is a demand for young, business-minded graduates. Don’t be afraid that you don’t understand the products, technology, or industry as there is a lot of technical and clinical expertise but less commercially minded personnel who can strip away the specifics and concentrate on process improvement and strategy.
How did studying at Plymouth help you?
The course at Plymouth helped to set a really solid platform for my business understanding. It provided me with a portfolio of tools and techniques I could take to the workplace. The ‘university experience’ of living independently and making my own choices also helped to shape the person I am.
Would you recommend undertaking a course with Plymouth University, and why?
I am a huge advocate of Plymouth University and Plymouth in general. It’s a great university city and the students are at the heart of it. The University has invested in its resources, facilities, and teaching and it has really developed during my time there. This has been recognised through a number of awards it has won and in its ranking positions in independent reviews.
For more information about our range of courses within the Plymouth Business School please visit the school page.
If you would like to find out what other relevant alumni are currently doing, please visit the business, law, logistics and management interest area.
