Robert M.
About me
| Robert M. | |
| History | |
| History | |
| Undergraduate | |
| James | |
| 2010 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Ex-Civil Service Fast Streamer | |
| Ex-HM Treasury | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Government and civil service | |
| Large business (250+ employees) |
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A day in the life of a Ex-Civil Service Fast Streamer in the United Kingdom
Ex-Treasury civil servant pursuing MBA in the United States.
My career goals when I graduated
Find a role where I was at the centre of the action and could make a meaningful difference to something important.
My career history
After a short period in consulting I joined HM Treasury on the fast stream (back before it was rotational). I worked in three different roles over five years, before leaving to do an MBA in the USA.
What has helped my career to progress
Finding people more senior than yourself who believe in you and are willing to give you chances.
Courses taken since graduation
MSc Comparative Politics
MBA (general management)
How my studies have helped my career
The most important thing was something I learnt at York - how to think critically, write effectively and construct a good argument.
My advice to students considering work
Work out roughly what you want to do, then create as many options for yourself as possible in field you are interested in (it's a numbers game) to try and get a foot in the door. There are probably many paths to getting there. Have a five year plan and try to gravitate towards where you want to be over time (it's a long game).
Contacting me
I'm happy to answer any questions on applying to the civil service or MBA programmes in the US.
What I do
Civil Service Fast Stream - HM Treasury
Skills I use and how I developed them
Policy advice - building on essay writing skills from undergraduate; collating all relevant evidence/analysis, then producing nuanced recommendations for senior decision makers to drive real world action.
Project management - building on extra-curricular/club planning/dissertation skills, learning how to create a plan to deliver something complex, then track output against it and adapt plan as required.
Diplomacy - based on general relationship skills, learning how to navigate complex organisations and networks with competing interests, in order to build consensus towards a shared goal.
What I like most
Working on very topical and high profile issues, often immediately before they were on the front pages.
What I like least
Sometimes having to do things you don't agree with. Seeing good ideas blocked. Long delays in getting things done.
What surprised me most
How motivated, compassionate and impressive most people in government are, irrespective of where they come from on the political spectrum.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Robert’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Robert a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Robert to be your mentor.