Jenni Worrall

Employer: Hertfordshire County Council

Qualifications: BA history and MA women's history, Royal Holloway University of London

Both my parents work in the public sector and I’ve always found their jobs fascinating. After completing some work experience with Staffordshire County Council’s education welfare team I decided local government was for me. I applied for local government jobs before securing an interview for the Hertfordshire graduate management trainee scheme. The process was quite intense, with an interview and two-day assessment centre – luckily I was chosen as one of three graduates to start the two-year scheme.

My job

I’ve just started my final six-month placement in adult care services. I started in children, schools and families then moved to the environment department and then to the corporate centre, working close to the chief executive. The good thing about doing varied placements is that you get to see the organisation from different perspectives. The environment department allowed me to be involved in topical, regional issues such as proposals for new housing developments and airport expansion while corporate services gave me an insight into how local and central government work together. I work on specific projects in each department, for example in children’s services I helped run a big audit into the way we interact with vulnerable children.

Highs and lows

It sounds like a cliché but I went into local government to do something worthwhile and the best thing about the work is the job satisfaction. I’m constantly learning from those around me and through the challenges I face – and I’ve made some good friends too. On the downside, sometimes it’s difficult to get the traditional bureaucrats to accept that I have a role to play. It’s definitely worth it though if you can persevere!