We're Going on a Job Hunt

I've been thinking about first job and where I'd like to work for a while, in that it's been in the back of my mind as I arrange EMS placements, speak to people and get a general impression of a practice. There are some locally that I know not to touch with a barge pole from the way they treat staff; you can generally tell as they have a high turnover and are always advertising for jobs. Others would be amazing to work at and rarely have vacancies as people never leave!
Cat and Bobby came out for the Vets4Pets Workshop a few weeks ago and I've been spurred on into applying for jobs.

I've been seeing practice regularly at the PDSA for three years which is a big charity hospital with a high caseload and lots of surgery, that's kind of become my normal so I'm looking for something similar.
PDSA have a graduate programme which I'd love to apply for but it's super competitive and speaking to a few grads we've had over the years the interview process is intense. The money isn't great but I figure I could live at home and it's more money than I'm on at the moment!

I know I want a busy practice within an hour of Birmingham where I can do lots of surgery, have decent support and seeing a few Exotics would be a bonus.
I'd also quite like a grad scheme as friends who have graduated in the last few years seem to be well supported so why not take the support if it's out there...