Tell us a bit about you?

After graduating from university, I worked in financial services for a few years, before going back to do a Master’s in Creative Writing. During my studies I was diagnosed as neurodivergent, which led to me spending several years working in the third sector, mainly for Disabled People’s Organisations.

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What subject did you study after leaving school?

I studied English Literature and Politics for my undergraduate degree, with a bit of Film and Television Studies thrown in.

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What attracted you to apply for the Graduate Development Programme?

I loved working in the third sector but it can be difficult to move up the ladder in small organisations. I applied to the Graduate Development Programme to broaden and deepen my experience across a range of policy and delivery areas, and to develop my leadership skills.

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How many placements have you undertaken so far?

Six — Cladding Remediation, Tax, Covid Inquiries Response, Social Security Policy, International Climate Change, and Financial Management.

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What is your current post, and what does it involve?

I work in the Cladding Remediation Directorate, supporting delivery of the Cladding Remediation Programme.

My role includes drafting communications to residents of affected buildings and contributing to business cases for the procurement of cladding remediation works. I also carry out core Civil Service tasks such as drafting Ministerial briefings and submissions, and responding to Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests. It’s a pretty varied workload.

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What does a typical working day look like for you?

I start by checking emails and handling anything urgent, then review my schedule. Today, I’m working with colleagues on comms templates for Single Building Assessments and drafting a Ministerial briefing before lunch. In the afternoon I continue with my work and start thinking ahead to tasks for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

As well as the day job, I fit in meetings as a Disabled Staff Network committee member and trade union rep and mentor — it sometimes feels like I’m juggling quite a lot, but most of the time it’s worth it!

I often finish the day on a directorate call or a meeting with my manager — I spend a lot of time working on my own, so it’s good to have those regular check-ins.

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What has been your key highlight or achievement so far?

I’ve been able to contribute to many important, exciting projects during my time on the Programme. I worked with New South Wales civil servants to build Scotland’s participation in the Net Zero Futures Policy Forum on international climate change. I helped develop the stakeholder engagement plan for the Scottish Government’s tax strategy. And I worked with colleagues to help deliver the Scottish Government’s response to the Scottish and UK Covid Inquiries.

In wider government, I’ve been active in the Disabled Staff Network — delivering training on the Social Model of Disability across various business areas to promote inclusion and remove barriers. As Events Coordinator for our 2023 conference, I led a team to develop the programme and deliver a mix of accessible online and in-person events for Scottish Government staff.

My lived experiences as a neurodivergent person are an important part of who I am. It’s great to be in a role where I’m supported to use my experiences to benefit other people, rather than having to pretend to be someone I’m not.

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What are your ambitions for the future?

Completing the Graduate Development Programme and moving on to a senior role within the Scottish Government.

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What do you think is the main benefit of participating in the graduate programme?

The main benefit of the programme is the learning opportunities it provides  through the day-to-day work, and also through specialised training and support from senior civil servants throughout our time on the programme.

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Would you recommend the programme to graduates thinking of applying?

The work of government touches every sector – private, third, local, national, and international – all of today’s big issues, and tomorrow’s too. If you want the opportunity to help shape the Scottish Government’s response to and impact on the world around us, there’s nowhere more important or more exciting to work.

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What career advice would you give your younger self?

Be more confident. When I was younger, I didn’t see my leadership potential – I certainly didn’t see myself as a leader! Imposter syndrome is a real thing, it’s important to push yourself through it. Wherever you apply and whatever role you apply for (and I hope it’s the GDP!), believe that you can do it.