Gwen Nightingale gave a talk at the 2012 season of the Careers After Biological Sciences program at the University of Leicester (UK). She discussed her role working as a civil servant within the Department of Health for the UK government.

1. Working in the Department of
Health
Gwen Nightingale

2. About me
• Graduated in 2001
• 2:1 in Biological Sciences (Genetics)
• Applied to join Civil Service Graduate
scheme in October 2000
• Started in the Department of Health in
November 2001

3. What does the civil service do?
?

4. Overview: My DH career in numbers
10
years
8
9
hours in
jobs
debate
6 5
7
Secretaries International
reports
of State negotiations
4
3 2 1
Acts of
promotions cities motorcade
Parliament

5. My favourite job: Private secretary

6. So why did I study biology?
• I enjoyed it
• Picked up great skills for me to apply and
people respect a science degree
• And my degree did secure me a post when I
worked as Secretary to the Human Genetics
Commission and Bioethics Policy Lead
• Worked on issues including consent to
treatment; assisted dying policy; genetics and
reproduction; and genetic testing

7. If you are interested in becoming a civil
servant …
• The selection process for the Fast Stream takes
ages - be patient!
• How will you stand out from the 22,000
applicants? What’s your USP?
• Get experience of communicating in a range of
settings, not just essays
• There are other entry routes where you can show
potential, if you are prepared to work hard
• Be positive to achieve promotion
• Treat people well

8. Further information
• www.civilservice.gov.uk/faststream
• www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs
• www.dh.gov.uk

9. Questions & Answers
• How is your work organised? Does it keep
changing?