Breaking Down Barriers - A Teesside Student’s Views on NHS Careers
This is a guest blog by Manel Bouchekoua, a Purpose Lab Student Ambassador representing Teesside University. Passionate about inclusive design, digital equity, and AI for mental health, she aims to inspire more students from non-clinical backgrounds to explore meaningful careers in the NHS.
Most people think the NHS only hires doctors. I thought that too — until I joined Purpose Lab.
I’m a digital student at Teesside University, and through the Purpose Lab Student Ambassador Scheme, I’ve had the opportunity to join powerful conversations about how employers can support inclusion and create real career access. One of the most eye-opening moments came during our session with Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT).
It was more than a presentation — it was a dialogue. I asked how students from outside the South East, or from non-medical degrees, could access NHS roles in areas like AI, UX, and cybersecurity. Their answer stuck with me:
“We don’t just want coders. We want change-makers.”
They pointed us toward virtual internships, insight placements, and entry-level routes into digital NHS careers. That moment flipped my expectations — because I saw that my perspective mattered.
Purpose Lab isn’t just about opportunity. It’s about agency. It gave me the tools to share insights that challenge employers to think differently — and the confidence to know that digital students can build a meaningful career in health.
“Whether you’re into AI, design, data or cyber — your skills belong here too”.
