The Little Careers Book

XX If you don’t get a degree, there is only so far you can progress in the Civil Service. ࢚࢚ A degree is not necessary to enter the Civil Service; there are a growing number of ‘Fast Track’ apprenticeships for leavers and you can also complete a two-year HND or Foundation Degree. ࢚࢚ If you choose to do a degree, any good academic subject will do for most jobs, but be aware that some branches of the Civil Service require specialised qualifications (statistics, law, economics, social and natural sciences). ࢚࢚ If you earn a 2:2 (or better) at university, consider one of 15 different ‘Fast Stream’ programmes, which give you direct access to higher-level civil service roles with excellent career progression opportunities. ࢚࢚ To get your first job, you have to have done more than just study; extra-curricular activities, work experience, volunteer service, travel abroad, and prior employment of some kind is really important. ࢚࢚ Some government departments offer summer work experience placements which can help you see what working within the Civil Service is like. ࢚࢚ Some government departments run their own graduate recruitment scheme. ࢚࢚ Once you are working in government, there are lots of opportunities to get peer mentoring, formal on-the-job and classroom training, and e-learning. MYTHS TRUTHS XX You must study Classics or Economics at A level to move into the Civil Service. ࢚࢚ You must have a genuine interest in public service and policy and a strong desire to make a difference in society. ࢚࢚ Whatever job you do, you can bet it will involve communication, influencing, negotiating, collaboration, planning, and management. ࢚࢚ Reasonable intelligence and good inter-personal communication and relationship building skills is the basic price of admission to the Civil Service. ࢚࢚ You need to be able to comprehend and then explain (verbally and in writing) complex issues to non-specialists. ࢚࢚ You need to pay close attention to the details, yet still see the big picture. ࢚࢚ Being flexible and adaptable to the direction of your boss is highly valued. ࢚࢚ Analytical minds are very welcome, as an evidence-based approach is key to decision making and successfully challenging the status quo. ࢚࢚ Continuous self-improvement and learning has to be your mantra. ࢚࢚ It’s not just what you know, but who you know; you also need to be known by the right people (and respected by them). ࢚࢚ Language skills are useful (and in some cases essential) for certain careers. MYTHS TRUTHS PATHWAYS TO ENTRY KEY SKILLS