Early Diversity Internship Programme participant Review

The week was a very rewarding week, and was jam-packed with a parliamentary visit, talks by various Civil Service staff, meeting my fast stream buddy at the Home Office, and was able to meet other participants who are from similar backgrounds. The EDIP had a major focus on diversity, and it was great hearing how the Civil Service strives to become representative of the society that it serves.

I felt very valued, it was great how staff said how we are important in making sure that the Civil Service is representative, and staff regularly approached us to ensure we were doing well. There was a major focus on the role we will play in the future as a Civil Service fast streamer and how we will be able to serve the nation with real positive impacts.

I received a lot of guidance, and staff were always on hand to help if I had any issues. The staff were able to give a broad guideline of the week's programme, and whenever I struggled with something (i.e. when I struggled with the project), my fast streamer buddy was very helpful.

While the scheme is not directly related to my degree (Geography), there were elements that are relevant. For example, my fast stream buddy said how he worked on the Sustainable Development Goals (UN's SDGs), and this is very relevant to the topic I am currently studying in my degree. Networking sessions and skills sessions were also useful in developing my career path, and we received guidance as to how we can become a fast streamer in the future.

The insight was well-structured overall, although there were at times when speakers were late and there were delays to the schedule. For example, on the first day, we rarely stuck to the timetable, and as a result there were times when it was quite confusing! The 20 minutes 'stretching session' to fill time whilst a speaker was late was interesting...

The insight was very relaxed overall, and staff and other participants were very approachable. However, there were at times when the insight felt awkward, particularly during question sessions with fast streamers, when we didn't really had any questions and so had to fill the awkward silences! Nonetheless, my fast stream buddy was very friendly and supported me throughout the scheme.

The Civil Service gave me many opportunities to understand what is required to work in the Civil Service, as well as key career skills required to be successful in working in the public sector as a whole.

As I was able to shadow a fast streamer and had a chance to talk and network with many Civil Service staff, I was able to gain much insight as to what it is like to work in the Civil Service. Working on a project on something that the Home Office was currently doing was also very rewarding, and I was able to see how work in the Civil Service relates to real people and lives!

It was very helpful, as there were plenty of networking sessions and having a fast streamer buddy also meant that I was able to get to know the company culture at much greater depth. The important element of the culture there was impartially, in that any work undertaken in the Civil Service must not reflect the political views of the Civil Servant, but must be based on facts.

It was extremely helpful, as I was able to see a 'timeline' of what I need to undertake to achieve a career in the Civil Service (i.e. graduate scheme, summer internships). Information on applications, such as how the online tests are being scrapped for the graduate scheme, was also helpful. The scheme also gave a brief guideline of the different departments and work that the Civil Service do, and was able to give me insight as to which department I might wish to work in the future.

N/A

There were plenty of opportunities to network, such as during lunch and other general sessions.

They were very good, although the room for lunch/networking was quite small for our cohort, so it was difficult at times to mingle as it was a bit packed! Nonetheless, having the opportunity to visit the Parliament, and meeting people who worked there was very rewarding, and I was able to take many photos in the Parliament!

Unfortunately not a lot, but some social activities were hinted when I networked with fast streamers.

Yes!