Introduction
As part of the Capability Team, my internship at the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) so far has been highly rewarding. The team work to ensure that we are meeting the criteria to fulfil our mission of ensuring ‘digital skills at scale’ across government. In practice, this has meant a varied and dynamic workload, from meetings with different portfolios to drafting induction documents as well as working on communications and engagement.
My Experience
As well as engaging directly with my line manager’s portfolio, I have also invested time into meeting with colleagues in different teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of the department’s wider goals. It has been through these conversations, facilitated by my line manager, that I feel I have gained considerable knowledge about the workings of both CDDO and wider government. Beyond this, the friendliness of everyone in CDDO has encouraged me to seek support when needed and has created a welcoming environment which I know has been massively appreciated by all of the interns.
My line manager has been central in creating such an environment, and has invested significant time into my learning and development. I have been able to take on significant responsibilities and been placed on tasks suited both to my existing skills and aimed at developing others. Through this, I have been tasked with the larger project of organising the team’s second quarter away day, and I am enjoying developing my project delivery skills as a result of this.
The Summer Internship programme also offers support from a colleague currently on the Fast Stream, and my mentor has been invaluable in giving career guidance and support. In our meetings we have discussed what I want to gain from the internship, and through looking at the Civil Service behaviours and competencies we have been able to target areas for development, which has been passed along to my line manager.
I have also been able to speak with shadow people across government, from parliamentary liaisons and FCDO embassy workers to the head of financial services in the Treasury.
Conclusion
The internship programme provides the opportunities for interns to take initiative and make the scheme work for the individual, as also evidenced by its hybrid working policy. The scheme is really what you make of it, and you will be supported by colleagues who take interest in your personal and professional development, and so I would encourage anyone with an interest in government to apply!
