Case studies: Senior research officer: Sarah

Sarah graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2005 with a degree in sociology. Four years later, she now works for the Scottish Government as a senior social researcher in schools research.

I decided to become a social researcher after I finished university. Social research was a major part of my undergraduate degree in sociology and I decided that I'd like to make a career out of it.

I contacted the Scottish Government  to register my interest in social research posts and was soon informed about the fixed-term contracts for research officers being advertised. I applied and was appointed. After my one-year fixed-term contract was finished, I applied for a permanent research officer post through an externally advertised assessment centre.

My first post was in the Office of the Chief Researcher, where I worked on a wide range of cross-cutting policy issues, such as demography, and on government communication research. I've since moved to my second post, in schools research. There are good opportunities for progression. After two years in my role, I applied for and passed the In Service Government Social Research Fast Stream, which provides opportunities to help career progression, such as a programme of additional training, Fast Stream posts and secondments. So, after two years as a research officer, I was promoted to senior research officer.

I think getting a job in government social research is easier if you gain some relevant experience. I worked part time during university doing market research telephone interviewing and I also temped in an admin role at the Scottish Government directly after graduation, which helped me understand the policy process. The fixed-term contract experience may have helped me gain the permanent post.

The research skills that I gained through sociology subjects and my dissertation gave me a good grounding in research and the Scottish Government gave me excellent training opportunities to develop these skills further. My sociology degree was also essential because a degree in a social studies subject is an entry requirement to government social research.

The role of a government social researcher is to provide research analysis to help contribute to the development, implementation, review and evaluation of new and existing policies. Researchers tend to work on a wide range of research projects at one time, which may include both commissioning and managing external research projects as well as carrying out research in house. Providing advice to government ministers is an important part of the role.

Overall, the job is very enjoyable. What I enjoy most about it is the subject matter of my work. I currently work in schools research and cover a range of topics from international education surveys to curriculum policies.

There are challenges involved, such as trying to ensure that the research you're involved in successfully makes an impact on policy making, but this makes it interesting!