Introduction
I couldn’t have picked a more interesting time to get an insight into what it’s like to work in the Civil Service, with a general election falling on the fourth day of my internship and the first change of government in fourteen years on the fifth!
My Experience
When I first found out that I would be working in Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), I was admittedly nervous. Aside from creating the odd spreadsheet and a single SPSS lab in university, I didn’t think I had the right skills to be working within digital and data. However, after a couple of weeks of being here, I have witnessed firsthand just how important it is to have a wide range of people with different skills, backgrounds and experiences to make sure we can deliver the best services possible.
Working in the Digital Secondments Team, I was given real responsibility from day one, connecting with external and internal stakeholders and developing an evaluation strategy to assess the effectiveness of the scheme. While my team has been incredibly supportive in aligning tasks to my strengths and experiences, they have also challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and take on additional responsibilities that have furthered both my personal and professional development. I have also been fortunate to have the opportunity to shadow other teams within the department, including in Private Office and with the External Supplier Strategy team, being involved in some really exciting meetings and projects as we make the move into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). No two days have been the same here - from days out at Civil Service-wide learning conferences and Fast Stream events to a tour of Number 10, I have been able to enjoy a really varied, exciting internship.
Conclusion
I have learned so much about the Civil Service, and have been consistently encouraged by my team and department to make the most of every single opportunity to learn and develop, both within my department and further afield. It is safe to say that my perceptions of the type of person that works in digital and data have vastly changed since I began my internship in CDDO, and it is now a career that I am considering pursuing as I graduate from university!
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