Tell us a bit about you?

I’m Miriam Craven, Director General Corporate at the Scottish Government. I’m originally from Ireland and grew up on the West Coast. I moved to Scotland in the late 1990s as a student, not knowing much about the country at the time, but I quickly fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve built my life here.

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Did you study after leaving school?

Yes, I followed my passion for sport and management by studying Leisure and Recreation Management in Dublin. After a couple of years, I transferred to Scotland and completed my degree at the University of Glasgow, earning a Bachelor of Science in Leisure and Recreation Management.

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What and where was your first significant job?

After university, I knew I wanted to stay in Scotland. I joined Odeon Cinemas through their graduate entry programme and started out in Dundee.

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When did you join the Scottish Government and what was the role?

I joined the Scottish Government around 20 years ago as an entry-level A3 staff member with the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). I was drawn to the role because I had benefited from free tuition myself and appreciated the values and ethos of the organisation. I wanted to transition from the private to the public sector.

My responsibilities included assessing student eligibility for tuition fees and living costs. It involved learning about rules, criteria, and the Scottish education system. I found it fascinating and appreciated the supportive team environment, including a buddy system that helped me get up to speed.

That first role was one of the most positive experiences of my career, thanks to the learning and development opportunities and the sense of doing something meaningful for others.

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Tell us about your current role at SG.

As Director General Corporate, I lead the part of the Scottish Government that provides many of the services and functions that enable the wider organisation to operate effectively. This includes digital and technology services, people and workforce functions, communications, corporate transformation, property and procurement, ministerial support, legal services, propriety and ethics, and our response to the Covid Inquiry. Together, these teams help create the foundations that allow government to deliver for the people of Scotland.

A significant part of my role is looking ahead and helping shape how the organisation needs to evolve to meet future challenges. That includes leading work on organisational change, supporting Public Service Reform, strengthening our use of data and technology, and ensuring we have the right skills, systems and culture to deliver high-quality public services in a changing environment

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What first attracted you to working in government or the public sector?

I was drawn to the ethos of helping people. While we deliver for government, the real impact is on individuals; my family, neighbours, and community. That sense of making a difference resonated with me.

I also connected with the civil service values of honesty and impartiality, and appreciated the organisational culture. The variety of subjects you can work on is another major draw. Unlike the private sector, where roles can be more fixed, in government you can move between areas like Education, Health, or Climate Change, with encouragement to apply your transferable skills.

The people have also kept me here. I’ve built lasting friendships and experienced a strong team spirit, even with hybrid working. Relationships are central to delivering effectively as a team.

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What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are ever quite the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role.

A typical day might involve meeting with senior leaders to discuss organisational priorities, reviewing major programmes and risks, considering workforce and financial challenges, and working with colleagues across government to improve how we operate. I spend a lot of time listening to experts from different professions and services, helping connect issues across the organisation and supporting decisions that will have a positive impact on how we work and what we deliver.

Alongside this, I’m involved in discussions about the future direction of the organisation, including the development of our Corporate Plan, Public Service Reform, and how we can make best use of technology and innovation to improve outcomes for both staff and the people of Scotland.

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What do you like most about your current job?

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to make a difference across the whole organisation. DG Corporate sits at the heart of government, which means we work with every policy area and profession. That gives me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the organisation and allows me to help bring people together to solve problems and drive improvement.

I am particularly motivated by helping create an organisation that is fit for the future – one that embraces innovation, supports its people to thrive, uses technology responsibly, and delivers excellent public services. I also enjoy working with talented colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines. The scale and variety of the work means there is always something new to learn and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

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What do you think is the best thing about working at Scottish Government?

It’s hard to pick just one thing, but for me, it’s the variety of people I get to work with.

I work with amazing colleagues who are equally committed to making a difference. Having grown up in another country, I appreciate the strength of Scotland’s public services and am proud of what we achieve.

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What has been your career highlight so far?

There are many, but two stand out. First, helping to establish Social Security Scotland — a brand new public body. We built it from an idea into a fully functioning organisation that delivers benefits with dignity, fairness, and respect. Creating a new workforce and service was an honour and drew on all my experience.

Second, being part of the Scottish Government’s response to the Ukraine war. Supporting resettlement and integration for people arriving in Scotland was deeply meaningful. Seeing the warm welcome they received and helping them build new lives here is something I’ll never forget. It was a delivery rooted in kindness and efficiency.

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What would you say to someone thinking about applying to the Scottish Government?

Go for it, be brave and apply. Talk to people already in roles to understand what the job involves and break down any misconceptions about the civil service.

Don’t let doubts about transferable skills hold you back. Whether you’ve worked in retail or had only summer jobs, your experience is valuable. The Scottish Government offers diverse roles and strong learning and development support.

There’s also a supportive network for young people starting out. Personally, I’m dyslexic, and being open about that from the start empowered me. It hasn’t held me back, it’s given me different strengths that are valuable in any role.

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Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self about starting your career?

Don’t worry about having a plan. It’s OK not to have one! Trust yourself and your skills. Connecting with the purpose of your role makes work more fulfilling.

Be brave. Speak up and say, “I think I could do that job.” Even if you’re not ready now, you might be in six months or a year. Reach out to recruiters and have conversations. Believe in your potential.