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These events are your chance to hear from those working at the heart of government, influence policy, and more!
Overview
Interested in a career that makes a difference? These events are your chance to hear from those working at the heart of government; people who influence policy; and leaders in the public sector.
How to prepare
Speaker profiles will be provided for each event, allowing you to do some initial research before attending. This will help you ask insightful questions at the events themselves.
We would recommend that you read through the range of help sheets and resources recommended on our resource library on effective networking and the relevant sector guides below, to better understand job roles, key employers and emploment opportunities, sources of sector news and information, and how UCL can help you:
We will also run a regular series of lunchtime talks on effective networking at events as part of our Career Essentials programme which provide tips and advice on building your professional networks.
Events 2023/24
The Government & Policy Sector Insight Programme has finished for the 2023/24 academic year. Thank you for attending! Dates and information on Government & Policy Sector Insight Programme events taking place in 2024/25 will be shared at the begining of the next academic year. Register for the latest career support, events and more straight to your UCL inbox.
Missed this year's Sector Insight Events?
Read our blog summary about the first three Government & Policy Sector Insight events that took place in the Autumn term. The blog includes informative tips on how you can best prepare yourself for a career in the industry.
You can also view our event summaries that took place in the 2023/24 academic year below.
- Civil Service Fast Stream Presentation and Q&A
This event has already taken place.
Thursday 2 November, 1pm-2pm
Are you interested in the Civil Service Fast Stream?
Please join us for a virtual presentation about the Fast Stream, followed by a Q&A with members of the Civil Service team. This event will give an insight into the application process for applying to the Fast Stream, and what working in the Civil Service is like, to help you decide if it might be right for you.
The Fast Stream is the Civil Service main graduate programme and offers a three to four year tailored development programme with multiple rotations depending on the scheme. The largest scheme is the generalist scheme, but there are also specialist offerings (eg Project Delivery, Science and Engineering, Social Research and more).
Applications for the UK Civil Service 2024 Fast Stream closes on 9 November 2023.
This event will last up to an hour, with a wide array of speakers from differing grades across the Civil Service speaking on their current role and career for 15-20 minutes with an opportunity for a Q&A session with the students at the end. We hope to add more details on specific speakers nearer the event date.
- Approaching CVs and Networking
This event has already taken place.
Tuesday 14 November, 6pm-7:30pm
Please join us for an interactive presentation led by a member of our UCL Careers Team where we examine how to approach CV development and networking in the field of Government and Policy. In this session we will work to identify what recruiters are looking for in an ideal candidate, review example CVs, and understand how to tailor your document to specific applications. We will also discuss networking strategies so to better develop your professional network.
This event is suitable for anyone who is interested in entering the Government and Policy Sector, who wants to gain an insight about CV development and networking advice.
This presentation will last roughly 1 hour, with time allocated at the end for a Q&A with our Careers team member.
- Government and Policy Sector Insights: An Introduction to the Sector
This event has already taken place.
Thursday 23 November, 12:30pm-2pm
Central Government comprises 44 departments working with 422 agencies and public bodies. Local government includes a wide range of different councils, with 33 councils in London alone. The sector currently employs an estimated 5.87 million people, and offers a wide range of employment opportunities.
If you have ever wondered what it’s like to work in Central Government, Local Government or a related body, or are considering a career in this area, do join us for this event. Our panel of experienced young professionals will share their experience of what is good and what is challenging in this fascinating and rewarding sector. You will get an idea of the kinds of jobs you might be doing, and come away with a more informed view of the sector as a whole. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, and to talk directly with the panellists at the end of the discussion.
- Working in Think Tanks
This event has already taken place.
Thursday 18 January, 6:15pm-7:45pm
Interested in working in think tanks? Want to know how to get started?
At this panel event you will have the opportunity to hear from UCL alumni at a range of career stages who are currently working in Think Tanks. You will gain insight into a range of roles within Think Tanks and learn how to get started in the sector.
We will be welcoming speakers working in various roles at a diverse range of think tanks. Please check back here later for full profiles of the alumni we will be hearing from.
Event format:
6:15pm: Introduction to the sector and short introductions from our panellists
6:45pm – Audience Q&A
7:15pm – Informal networking with our panellists
- Local Government, Panel and Networking Event
This event has already taken place.
Wednesday 31 January, 5:30pm-7pm
Interested in working in local government? Keen to learn more about how to get started?
At this panel and networking event, you will have the opportunity to hear from UCL Alumni at various stages of their professional careers who are working across a diverse range of organisations in local government. You will gain insight into a variety of roles within local government, and pick up tips and strategies on how to break into the sector.
Event Timings:
6:15pm – Introduction to the sector and short introductions from our panellists
6:45pm – Audience Q&A
7:15pm – Informal networking with our panellists
Archive
Watch event recordings in our archive. These include complete panel discussions and in-depth interviews with experts.