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Assistant statistician: Stephen

This Case Study belongs to Statistician.

Stephen studied for a degree and a Masters in geography. This background gave him skills in statistical research methods, presenting complex data using graphs and words, survey sampling and analysis, demographic trends, some knowledge of politics and touch typing.

'I found my first job through visiting a careers fair in London where I spoke to the Government Statistical Service (GSS)  and gave them a CV. I was successful at interview for a 12-month contract with a different government department. My current role was advertised on the GSS website. The job was attractive because of the intellectual stimulation, the good graduate salary, job security, very good prospects for training and development, and the chance to work for the general good of the country. The statistical element of my studies enabled me to pass the GSS entry criterion.

In this role, I quality assure and analyse large volumes of central government spending data and liaise with suppliers of that data around the country. I provide advice and briefing (written, verbal and graphical) to senior colleagues and ministers on trends in central government spending. I also deliver a monthly dataset to the Office for National Statistics for publication which is then used by parliament, business and the public to assess the state of public finances. I work with colleagues to develop and improve data collection systems as well as the quality and accuracy of the data supplied by government departments and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. Experience has led me to being able to spend more time and attention on developing the data supply side and working with government departments to get more reliable, timely and accurate information on spending.

I very much enjoy the intellectual challenge, which means that I am very rarely bored or on autopilot at work. It is satisfying to see the statistical analysis I have worked on published or used by policy makers. I know that my hard work has been useful and genuinely matters. I value working among such intelligent, motivated and friendly people and find that, in general, there is a good attitude to work-life balance from senior management.

One downside to working for the government is that sometimes priorities will change at short notice and you may have to drop one piece of work and immediately pick up something else. From time to time, I may spend several weeks working on something which is then shelved or otherwise does not come to fruition, which can be frustrating.

In the future, I would like to go for promotion to the next level, running a small branch with some line management responsibility and more access to ministers and senior colleagues. Of course, I would also like to earn the higher pay. I am particularly keen to continue taking opportunities to work in a wide variety of subject areas. In order to progress, being keen to learn as much about the job and taking responsibility for producing useful, high-quality work will go a long way. It is also crucial to be able to get on with others and cooperate with a team.'

Case Study sourced by Judith Baines of AGCAS, 16 September 2008.