Careers & Employability Centre

Finding First Steps inGovernment, Public Service and Heritage

This session will cover

• Roles in government and public services• Entry routes into the sector• Building relevant experience• Finding vacancies• CVs and application forms• Growing your network

What do you know already?• What do you know about the sector? • What did you learn at the ‘Make it happen!’

event?

Discuss in pairs/ groups…….

MiH speakers 2016

• Sam Bullen - Office Manager - Executive Management Committee Office, Department for International Development (International Relations, 2013)

• Ann Eatwell - Curator, V&A Museum (English, 1975)• Hannah Ledger - Senior Policy Advisor, Department for

Business, Innovation and Skills (Contemporary History and Politics, 2010)

• Sam Roberts - Policy Advisor (Data Science Engagement Lead), Cabinet Office (English, 2008)

• Alex Towers - Senior Commissioning Officer, London Borough of Sutton (European Politics and Culture, 2009 from Keele University)

Key points from Make it Happen• Importance of skills, what have you got, what do you need

and how will you provide evidence (Sam Bullen)• Volunteering is crucial and most museums/galleries have

opportunities, may even have a waiting list (Ann Eatwell)• Perseverance (stalking?) endured a range of mind numbing

jobs before breaking into Civil service (Hannah Ledger)• Stepping stones – English degree>Plymouth>Elstree studios

(London)> ? > ?> Cabinet office (Data) (Sam Roberts)• Consider all your options – NGDP offers huge breadth of

work, strong diversity ethic.(Alex Towers)• Postgrad question?

Roles in the public sectorhttps://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/public-services-and-administration

• Opportunities in public services can be categorised into two groups: central government and local government.

• You could also work in law enforcement, security or the emergency services, or health administration or management in the National Health Service (NHS)

• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published September 2015 figures showing that 5.3million people work in the public sector across the UK, accounting for around 17% of those in employment.

• Roughly 2.9million work in central government with 2.3million in local government.

What next?

What could your next steps be?

What next?• Reflect on your skills and interests• Research the sector & your options• Network• Build your experience• Search for vacancies• Write a CV

Reflect on your skills, interests, motivations

We have tools on our website & hand outs in the centre to help with this process!

www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/careerchoices/interests

‘Profiling for success’ career interests tool could help!

Researching careers - Sector Guides

Creative Approaches- finding contactsContacts you already have• Contacts from past work experience, vacation work• Friends, family, friends of friends • Academics

Contacts you can find•Vacancies advertised - Use the contact details from advert.•Names in journals, magazines, reports, the press.•The web and specialist directories •Linked in – Search facility

Build your experience- Volunteer (e.g. Project V)- Get involved while you are at Sussex

(campaigning, societies, local action groups)- Information interviewing, work shadowing,

work experience, internships- Paid work- entry level positions, part time jobs

Current opportunities on our websiteAccountant Trainee - Sevenoaks District Council SevenoaksCloses - 22 Feb, 2016Sevenoaks District Council is recruiting an Accountant Trainee to join the Finance Team. The purpose of this post is to provide high quality professional financial support and advice to the Council at both Officer and Member level.

Finance and Procurement Officer - Health & Care Professions Council LondonCloses - 17 Feb, 2016We are currently recruiting for a Finance and Procurement Officer to work within the Finance department. The Finance and Procurement Officer will be the main point of contact for the organisation for procurement support.

Civil Service Fast Stream: Government Economic Service United KingdomCloses - 31 Mar, 2016Economists in the Government Economic Service (GES) don’t just analyse figures. They’re closely involved in helping to shape government policy.

Educational Fundraising Graduate Trainee Scheme - The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) VariousCloses - 14 Mar, 2016CASE Europe's Educational Fundraising Graduate Trainee Scheme is an opportunity for high quality graduates and postgraduates seeking to begin a career in fundraising and philanthropy within the higher education sector.

Graduate Programme (Public and Corporate Affairs) – Bellenden LondonCloses - 28 Feb, 2016Bellenden is an established, independent consultancy specialising in political, corporate and planning communications. Having successfully launched our Graduate Programme in 2012, we are now looking for outstanding graduates to join us in 2016.

Write a CV•Personal Information•Profile •Education •Work Experience – paid and unpaid•Interests – what else do you do?•Additional skills – languages, IT literacy•Referees

•Length/ presentation•Personal Information•Profile •Education •Work Experience – paid and unpaid•Interests – what else do you do?•Additional skills – languages, IT literacy•Referees

•Length/ presentation

Taking action

How are you going to move forward now?

Fill in action plan……..

Careers & Employability Centre Support

• Workshops – daily events, weekly programme

• Short interview with a careers adviser Mon – Fri from 11am - 5pm

• Vacancies – part time, work experience, internships, graduate jobs

www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs