Economics - GNI research Review

Start the day of checking emails, I'll then start on my work. My work is independent and project based so will very between, research, writing, presenting or analyzing data. Through out the day I'll also have a number of meetings either within the team or wider. For example, one project I'm working on is with another member of my team so we have catch-up calls the keep each other updated.

The main skills I've improved are my writing and presenting. For my work I have to write research papers and present these to many people. I've also taken part in a Python coding training course, national accounts school course, excel training and attended many of the GES sessions on offer.

Definitely, I have a lot of freedom with my work and the timeline of it. At the end of the process my work ends up affecting and lot of stakeholders and the national accounts themselves. I've no had any responsibility in terms of managing people, however, I feel like I'm doing important impactful work.

The ONS has a placement student team along with a student engagement team. These offer guidance on anything and everything, as well as getting placement students to connect together. Looking wider into the whole company, there is massive support on everything, everyone is very kind and happy to help.

Super friendly and ready to help with anything. People within the ONS are also experts in their work, you can be confident that people know what they are doing. On top of this, we are all working together with the same overall goal. Great place to work. Only issue I found was that the office can be empty with many people working from home, this is down to peoples preferences though.

I've really enjoyed my placement. I was worried that I would miss out on a lot not being at university with my friends. However, there is a great group of placement students in the office and we have a very good social life together. I would definitely do it again and am considering careers here after university.

Yes

Keep up to date with what the ONS actually does, it's so much more than just economic statistics (even though that's what I work on) and if you aren't an economist that doesn't matter ! It's a very inclusive supportive place so don't worry too much, people just want the best for you and if you're the right fit it will work out. Also, don't underestimate the initial tests, take them seriously !