GES sandwich student Review

My role was to conduct tax policy analysis at HMRC. This involved estimating the exchequer impact of different tax policies, working with colleagues in HMRC and His Majesty's Treasury to inform ministerial decisions. I was only involved with statistics publications in HMRC in which I both produced statistics and the accompanying commentary. Aside from these two main tasks I also developing the policy analysis models and statistical processes used in HMRC.

I have developed and learnt many skills in the role. I first learnt how to communicate analysis effectively to colleagues that were non-experts and the general public. Conducting analysis developed my coding skills significantly particularly on SAS and Microsoft Excel. Finally, my problem solving skills improved during my placement because of the strict time-constraints on policy analysis, I developed and quality assured models at pace for a variety of tax policies.

Yes, I was given much more responsibility than I first imagined during my placement. I was tasked with not only leading on existing projects that were but also encouraged to suggest new projects that would outlast my placement. I got the chance to present my analysis to numerous HMRC and Treasury colleagues including senior civil servants.

Personal support is a big focus of HMRC and the Civil Service. During my placement I had my immediate team willing to help me as well as two placement advisers and a mentor that were not in my team. The presence of both internal and external support was supplemented by numerous digital resources that I could use at any time.

HMRC and the wider Civil Service have a strong emphasis on producing quality and impactful work with integrity and impartiality. Everyday I worked I was reminded of this in some different way. There are a variety of backgrounds and ages in the Civil Service which creates a culture of creative problem solving, support and trust.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. It surprised and challenged me in many ways. The responsibility I was given was a huge benefit to me as it allowed me to develop my communication and analysis skills widely. The flexibility of my ways of working was also a significant benefit because I could work from home and vary my hours depending on personal commitments. The work-life balance in the Civil Service is great.

Yes

I would advise to use your experiences as best you can as evidence that you would perform well in the Government Economic Service. For example, by doing some extra volunteering work or starting a new society as university you are showing you can go above and beyond. Ultimately the more relevant and variety of experience you have the more chance you have when submitting an application.