Case studies: Local government fast-track management trainee: Reema

Reema is a philosophy graduate from the University of Cambridge. She was recently accepted onto Essex County Council's Fast-Track Management Scheme

I read philosophy for both my BA and my MPhil at the University of Cambridge before gaining a place on the Essex County Council Fast-Track Management Scheme, which involves four placements for six months over two years. I entered through applying for the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) online, which seeks to place young leaders with local authorities throughout the country.

The application procedure includes an online application form, followed by a competency-based telephone interview, an assessment centre and then final interviews to ascertain which position would suit the applicant best. I did not have any previous local government work experience, although I did have experience working for a Commonwealth organisation and some law firms.

The skills I gained from studying philosophy are particularly valuable to graduate recruiters and have so far been integral to my work. These include sound analytical skills, the ability to offer an alternative perspective or solution, and effective written and verbal communication skills. However, I believe my transferable and personal skills, non-academic as well as academic, have also been important in securing my current position.

My work at Essex County Council varies tremendously; there is no such thing as a 'typical' working day. This is because what I do from day to day fits into the context of a broader project I am expected to manage long term.

As the work a local authority does depends so heavily on effective communication with partners and is often confidential, I spend a lot of time in meetings with cross-departmental senior management, other local authorities and with private sector companies. I also find myself in other local authority offices throughout Essex, and visiting areas that deliver front-line services.

Sometimes I will spend my day researching for a briefing note for my manager at my desk, and at other times I will be preparing for, and in and out of, meetings all day. It is this variety that I enjoy the most about my work, alongside the quantity of information I am expected to absorb. This variety also challenges me, due to the demands on my time management ability.

For those looking to work in this area, I would recommend having both not-for-profit and private sector work experience to compare and ascertain which working culture suits you most. An open mind, as well as awareness of the changes local government faces, is integral to success.

Local government is aiming to shake off its image as bureaucratic and ineffectual, and will be at the centre of key changes in the present political environment of 'cuts, cuts and cuts'. Most importantly, you need to be able to demonstrate you are socially responsible, have leadership potential, are a self-starter and have a mind of your own.

AGCAS

Sourced by Andrea Gregory, AGCAS

Date: 

January 2010

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