The Summer Internship Programme (SIP) gives people the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. People from all backgrounds are welcome. The Programme puts talented undergraduates on a work placement in a government department. As a successful applicant, you’ll get an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service.
Find out more about the SIP here, https://www.faststream.gov.uk/summer-internship-programme/index.html and hear directly from Polly, one of our 2024 Summer Interns below.
As my time on the Civil Service Summer Internship Programme (SIP) at the Ministry of Defence comes to an end, I wanted to reflect on my experience and share the reasons why I would highly recommend it to potential future candidates.
Before starting my internship, I had several goals in mind. Firstly, I wanted to gain valuable insights into the operations of a government department and a career in the Civil Service. Secondly, I wanted to develop technical and transferable skills for my future. And lastly, I wanted to work on projects which would allow me to make a positive impact.
As a French and Business student heading into my final year at the University of Nottingham, I was initially unsure of how much of an impact I would be able to make working at the Ministry of Defence; it seemed a daunting prospect. However, I didn’t need to worry, because the People & Skills team immediately put me at ease. Within the first few days, I was introduced to various team members, shown first-hand the important work they do to fill the nuclear skills gap, and assigned my project which would contribute to this mission. It’s safe to say that I could instantly see how I could make a positive impact in my role, and I was motivated to do just that.
Through working on my project, I’ve had the opportunity to develop my data analysis skills and to become proficient using the data visualisation platform Power BI (a far cry from my French studies!). I have also felt my ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely improve significantly as I worked collaboratively with my team and presented my progress to them. I know that these technical and professional skills that I have gained will give me a strong foundation for my future career. What’s more, the exposure I’ve had to real-world educational challenges faced by the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), as well as the insight provided to me by my team and my mentor, has inspired me to apply to the Civil Service Fast Stream and ultimately pursue a career working in education.
So, to any potential future SIP applicants, and to any managers with the chance to take on an intern, my advice? Go for it!
The programme is a great opportunity to see how rewarding a career in the Civil Service can be and gives interns a clearer understanding of their own career aspirations. It also offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the important work of the Civil Service.
