Government and Public Sector16.5% of the UK’s working population are employed in the public sector.11 As you may know,this includes teachers, doctors and the emergency services. But did you know that civilservants also work in a huge range of local, national and international bodies, working onexciting projects such as creating policy for UK space programmes, delivering humanitarianrelief and improving public services across the country?Civil servants are politically neutral and responsible for delivering public services and supporting thegovernment to develop and implement its policies. Many people become civil servants because they arepassionate about making a difference, and want to help create innovative solutions to complex, reallife problems.One way to access careers in the Civil Service is the Fast Stream - a two to four-year graduate programme,offering an accelerated career path into leadership positions across government. Most schemes acceptdegrees from any discipline, while some require more technical knowledge. Fast Streamers can jointhrough one of 15 different streams:CommercialDigital, Data & TechnologyDiplomatic ServiceDiplomatic EconomicsFinanceGeneralistEconomics ServiceOperational ResearchSocial ResearchStatistical ServiceHouses of ParliamentHuman ResourcesPropertyProject DeliveryScience & EngineeringThe Civil Service also offers a range of direct entry roles, apprenticeships, and internships. Beyondthe Civil Service, there are hundreds of internship and graduate opportunities at various public sectororganisations, ranging from policy making to direct public service delivery across the sector.Key factsTypical graduate salary: £23,000-£35,000Potential salary (after five years experience): £35,000 - £66,000Top earners (10-15 years experience): £80,000 - £100,000+What they’re looking for:You don’t need to study politics or a related subject at university to work in the public sector; studentsfrom all degree subjects are generally welcomed.The Civil Service Fast Stream accepts graduates with at least 2:2 from any degree subject for most oftheir streams but some are restricted to certain degree subjects and/or at least 2:1.Want to Get Experience?There are a number of pathways to success for students looking to get into the public sector, but a typicaltimeline may look as follows:1ST YEAR2ND YEAR3RD YEAREXPLORATIONGET EXPERIENCEAPPLICATIONSApply for any insight days orinternships you’re interested inApply for public sectorinternships or part-time rolesStart applying for public sectorgraduate schemesGet involved with relevantsocieties and volunteeringopportunitiesLook for leadership positions inrelevant societiesKeep up to date with key issuesin the sector41
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