Yohanna's sandwich year led to something special

I first started working in the House of Commons as a Sandwich Student in 2015. Contrary to its name, Sandwich Students are not employed in a catering role. The ‘Sandwich’ element refers to a year of work, wedged into a three-year undergraduate degree.

I was studying International Politics at Brunel University, and following my one-year placement with the Justice Committee, I went back to university to write my dissertation and sit my final exams.

While I was a Sandwich Student, I heard about Parliament’s Fast Stream Graduate Programme, which allows entrants to start as a Clerk on a training grade. I decided to apply, and I was accepted onto the programme in 2017.

As part of the Graduate Programme, I was a Second Clerk to different committees, and I took part in bespoke training on a weekly basis. In October 2019, I completed the Graduate Programme, and was promoted.

I have since been a Senior Clerk in the Public Bill Office, and on the Health and Social Care Committee. I am also an Associate Serjeant at Arms, hence the uniform in my photo!

In this role I work with the wider Serjeants at Arms team, which is responsible for keeping order within the Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate.

My favourite thing about my job is working with a range of colleagues from across the Parliamentary estate, and stakeholders within the health and care policy sector.

Yohanna is making Parliament happen, and so could you.