After leaving school, I started working as a receptionist but, having seen all my friends go off to university, I wanted to start a more meaningful ‘career’. I knew people working in the Home Office and they had nothing but positive things to say about their experiences and the opportunities they’d had, so I decided to apply. That was 16 years ago!
I was posted into HR and from very early on I found that I really enjoyed the people engagement aspects of the job. I’ve had so many fantastic opportunities: studying for CIPD qualifications, travelling overseas for work and even undertaking an 18-month secondment to another government department. Even though I didn’t achieve my A levels, I’ve never felt ‘held back’ at work. I’ve always been supported to complete qualifications relevant to my career and have been encouraged to seek out opportunities for self-development.
Having worked in many different parts of HR, I currently mange a small team dealing with apprenticeships. My days are varied, consisting of speaking with external learning providers, meeting colleagues from across the department working through email exchanges with colleagues and customers where there are complex issues to resolve. I’m really pleased that this role allows me to use my strengths in people engagement.
For me, the best things about working in the Home Office are the diversity of people you meet and the variety of roles and professions on offer. There really is something for everyone! There are so many opportunities to achieve professional qualifications and career development, no matter your academic background. You will also be surrounded by colleagues who are genuinely committed to delivering for the public.
So, if you are considering a career in the Home Office, I would say go for it!
