By Gemma Hale, Civil Service HR Fast Streamer, UK Home Office
Get in touch with Gemma on LinkedIn
I studied History at Royal Holloway and I was accepted into the Civil service fast stream graduate programme after completing my master's degree. In this blog post, I share my (short!) career journey and offer reflections on ensuring post-university success.
About me
Studying history at Royal Holloway University from 2018 to 2021 was a transformative experience. Specialising in the Cold War in Asia, the Vietnam War, colonialism, and the British Empire allowed me to delve deep into complex historical events that shaped our world today. I developed a keen interest in Asian history and politics, which led me to pursue a Master's degree in the History of War at King's College London. Here, I chose to study East Asian security, Middle Eastern conflicts, and South Asian history and politics.
However, despite my academic achievements and interest in history, I found myself at a crossroads when it came to choosing a career path. I was familiar with graduate schemes and understood that they could provide valuable skills and experience. Yet, I was unsure about which area to pursue. The Civil Service and its prestigious fast-stream graduate program had always been on my radar, thanks to my family members who had taken this route. After some research and contemplation, I decided to take the plunge and apply.
To my delight, I was offered a position on the HR fast stream. My initial perception of HR was that it was boring, corporate, and impersonal. However, my experience has been quite the opposite. Every day is different, and I find myself working on high-profile policies that have a direct impact on the Home Office. As someone passionate about diversity and inclusion, I am proud to be involved in initiatives that foster a more inclusive environment, especially given my own background as a lower socio-economic and neurodiverse individual.
My top career tips
Now, let me share some tips for those of you embarking on your career journey post-university. Firstly, carefully consider whether further study is the right choice for you. While I chose to pursue a master's degree because of my passion for history, I know many people who have felt pressured to do a 'panic master's.' Remember that many graduate schemes and roles, including the civil service fast stream, do not require a master's degree.
Secondly, think outside the box when it comes to your CV and cover letters. Rather than merely listing your skills and experiences, demonstrate how you have applied them in real-world situations. You don't need to have held a leadership position to showcase your leadership skills. For instance, as a young carer, I demonstrate leadership daily through compassion, patience, and authenticity though I didn’t initially think to include this on my CV.
Moreover, be open-minded about your future career and job prospects. Like how I discovered my love for HR, you might find that you enjoy and excel in a field you had not previously considered. Take advantage of LinkedIn to connect with Royal Holloway alumni who have pursued careers that interest you. Also, don't forget to utilise the career services offered by Royal Holloway. I personally found alumni networking events to be very helpful.
Tips for the Civil Service
For those interested in the civil service, let me share some valuable insights and tips. The civil service is a fantastic place to work, as it allows you to have a direct impact on the lives of citizens in the UK. There are a multitude of roles available across a range of departments, catering to various interests, from technology and computer science to humanities and law. Rest assured, there will be a role that requires your unique skillset.
My top tip is to familiarise yourself with the civil service success profiles. They are the recruitment framework used by the civil service and outline the behaviours, experiences, technical skills etc., expected of civil servants for different roles. All the information you need is available online, so make sure to do your homework. Practising writing examples of how you demonstrate civil service behaviours in the STAR format will also serve you well, as this format is key in the civil service application process.
I would highly recommend visiting the civil service jobs website and using keywords to filter the current vacancies. This will give you a better idea of what's out there that aligns with your specific skills and interests. When you scroll down the job adverts, you will find contact details for the hiring manager. Don't hesitate to reach out via email and ask for a career conversation. You can gain so much insight from speaking to people who are already in the field.
Concluding thoughts
Finally, don't worry if you feel that you lack job or extracurricular experience. While having a standout CV and engaging in extracurricular activities as development opportunities is undoubtedly beneficial, don't be disheartened if your degree doesn't seem to directly correlate with any particular job role. Reflecting on my history degree, I realise that the main skills I developed were essay writing, researching and compiling information from different sources, presenting arguments visually and verbally, and working independently under pressure. These are all skills that I use every day in my current role. So, regardless of what you study, know that you are gaining invaluable skills for the workplace, even if it might not seem like it at the time.
My journey from studying history at Royal Holloway to working in HR in the Home Office has been a fulfilling one. I am excited to see what I will do in my next placement on the fast stream, as I will be moving departments in April next year! I hope that my experiences and tips will help guide you in your own career journey post-university. Please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. Best of luck!