Introduction
My first weeks working in the Civil Service have revealed that it might be more pertinent to write this blog entirely in acronyms, but while I’ll save you the trip to the Acronym Buster page, I would say that one consequence of this internship has been that I have been bringing acronyms into my daily life completely unnecessarily. Though, really, the more important impacts have been the skills I have been building in my work and what I have both learned and shared about accessible workplaces.
My Experience
I am working within the Capability team, specifically looking at upskilling senior civil servants regarding Digital and Data skills. My team is focused on meeting a target of having 90% of senior civil servants verified as upskilled in digital and data by April 2025. When I first set eyes on the spreadsheets they use to measure and share information about this, it almost seemed like this mass of data had formed its own alternative language that I had to decode before I even started my work. A few frantic googles about sheets formulae structures later, I am now able to organise, analyse, and dissect this data for the needs of my team.
My main piece of work is a project evaluating the data sharing protocols of the team. This is how data around upskilling is shared to departments and what is included, so that they can keep track of both departmental and cross-governmental progress, and encourage participation in learning. I have been using my quantitative and qualitative research skills in both creating a survey and conducting interviews in order to assess the current data sharing protocols. I am looking forward to analysing this data, and creating a report with recommendations to my team which I can then share in a presentation.
Getting stuck in a work pod while trying to escape sensory overload gave me a moment to reflect on access needs in the workplace. I have been supported in terms of reasonable adjustments, for example using noise cancelling headphones and having access to quiet spaces to work - which are great if you’re actually able to leave when donuts get delivered to the office. I have also learned more about my own access needs by experiencing the workplace environment, being able to have continuing conversations with my manager and knowing what I can ask for in future roles. Usually, I’m not one for veering from my plans but the environment has been supportive of me trying new things that I had not expected to be involved in such as graphic and website design, photography, assisting with mock interviews, and chairing talks.
The aim of the programme is to not only give me experience of the workplace, but also to give the workplace experience of me as an autistic person. I have engaged with sharing knowledge about inclusion, for example bringing awareness to the need for permanent quiet spaces as well as the struggles autistic people may face in applications to the Fast Stream. I also have proven where autistic traits can be beneficial to the workplace, not just a barrier to be adjusted around - for example checking documents with an eye for detail. I think the Autism Exchange Internship Programme is a good start in changing attitudes towards autistic traits in the Civil Service, and encouraging collaborative exploration of reasonable adjustments so that everyone can do their best work.
Conclusion
I have had a great time so far on the internship, having made strong connections with colleagues and peers, and it has helped me confirm that I will enjoy a career in the Civil Service.
