Alumni Testimonials

• Sophie Johns, BA Classics, Bristol; MSt Greek and Latin, Oxford
• Ivana Kuric, BA Classical Studies, Bristol; MSt Greek and Latin, Oxford
• Evelyn Heis, BA English; MA Comparative Literatures & Cultures, Bristol
• AJ Birt, BA History; MA History, Bristol
• Jamie Jewkes, BA Philosophy & Theology; MA Philosophy, Bristol
• Eleanor Lynch, BA Religion and Theology, Bristol
• Alex Brown, BA History, Bristol

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Jamie Jewkes, BA Philosophy & Theology; MA Philosophy, Bristol

Studying Philosophy & Theology at Bristol was a great choice, and helped me with my career in many ways people wouldn't necessarily think about. I studied some units in the philosophy of medicine, which sparked a desire to work in healthcare, which I thought would fit well as I'd always wanted to go into public sector work. Since then, I secured an internship with NHS England and have recently started a new job at Health Innovation West of England (an NHS organisation). Skills I've developed from humanities have helped so much. From writing skills to project management, to communications and balancing deadlines, my degree has helped me in a myriad of ways. I think it's also important to emphasise just how many humanities and arts graduates I work alongside. At NHS England, I worked alongside someone who had studied Medieval Studies at Bristol! Since we do non-clinical (e.g. Administrative and management work), the transferable skills from arts and humanities degrees are really highly valued. Of course, I've not entered the workforce knowing everything, I'm still learning a lot of the more technical side, such as Excel and project management software, but the problem-solving skills I've got from philosophy have helped a lot. I'd also say that arts and humanities degrees are needed in healthcare for the human side of things, like empathy and just a general care for other people. Whilst data, statistics, and the like, are all immensely useful in a healthcare setting, you can't forget the people behind the numbers. Being able to create and develop a narrative is really important. In my new role specifically, I work alongside a lot of organisations and groups wanting to make positive change, such as the Black Maternity Matters initiative. You can't do the sort of change needed in that environment without understanding the people behind the statistics and negative experiences.

I've also been lucky enough to apply learning and research from my units directly into my work, for initiatives on improving patient experience and patient care. Being such a large employer, I have faith that the NHS has something for everyone, you just might have to think about your degree in a bit of a different way!