Charlotte Keen –Civil Servant

1. What is your current role in the Civil Service?

I am an economist in the Office of the Chief Economist at Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). I’ve been in the same team since 2019 but have worked in a number of economist roles including EU Exit analysis, Covid-19 response, Regulation, and Economic Strategy.

2. If you were prime minister what would you do?

As a Civil Servant, I have to be impartial so I couldn’t possibly say what I’d do if I was Prime Minister! What I would say is I don’t think there’s just one correct way of doing things, so choices about new policies can be difficult.

3. Favourite Sandwich?

My go-to lunch is a chicken Caesar baguette from Pret, but I’m biased because that’s the closest lunch spot to the office.

4. What subject and where did you study for your undergraduate degree?

I have almost finished my BSc in Professional Economics at the University of Kent. The course was designed by the University and the Government Economic Service so has modules on policy analysis and public economics, unlike most economics degrees. The course is four years long and I have one study day per week. The other four working days are split between working from home and in the office.

5. What advice would you give someone aspiring to enter the world of civil service?

I am in the first cohort of GES apprentices so I really didn’t know what to expect when I applied for the scheme. When I accepted the offer, I did so with the view that I could always reapply for uni the following year if I didn’t enjoy the job. I’m so glad I made that choice, I’ve loved working for Defra and have no regrets about the apprenticeship. I’ve visited friends across the country, and have my own uni friends from the apprenticeship so definitely haven’t missed out on the ‘uni experience.’ The apprenticeship has also allowed me to be financially independent and get a head start compared with other graduates.

There’s several entry routes into the Civil Service, especially as an economist.

Most people join through the GES either as a degree apprentice or as a graduate, but it is possible to join later in your career. The GES schemes are very competitive so definitely don’t be disheartened if you don’t get an offer the first time you apply. If you’re thinking about joining as a graduate economist, choose your degree carefully. To qualify, your degree has to be at least 50% economics so be careful if choosing a joint degree with an uneven split. My advice for the application process would be to be familiar with Civil Service Behavioursthese can be found online and are used for all applications, interviews and assessing performance at work.