Anyone's DC done Civil Service internship?

[TheTorturedPoetsDept]

DD is in 2nd year at an RG. She's doing a MFL+ humanities.

Went to speak to uni Careers Office who, she says, weren't much use.

So I thought I'd ask if anyone's DC applied or did the CS summer internship programme.

My youngest did a CS summer internship. The one she did was organised thru her course (and paid by her uni) but she also applied thru the general scheme (SDIP I think it was called). She did get an offer for the latter despite not meeting the widening access criteria but preferred the more specific internship as it was longer (12 weeks vs 6 weeks and was with a department she had greater interest in). She found the internship useful. I have in my head that she applied for the SDIP in the November/December the year before the internship.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-summer-internship-programme/

This is the one my DD applied to but I think you are too late for this year. There may be other schemes too. I think a friend of my DD did one with the Government Statistical Service or maybe Operational Research which might have later dates.

My DD is snowed under with essays/job applications (and a Christmas Market job) atm but I'll ask her to pull her unis info on CS internships when she's freer.

A relative of mine did this before her final year, and loved it. She had to find accommodation though as she chose three places and the one she got wasn't commutable for her.

Some of the internships give you fast pass to later stages of recruitment for actual jobs (if you meet certain criteria).

How topical! My DC got through the first stage this year and waiting to do an interview. It’s only a two stage process this year. Any tips on what to expect from the interview and best way to prepare?

My DD says prepare some examples where you've demonstrated the civil service behaviours they are interested in (they should tell you what they want to assess). Generally be well read in current affairs, politics etc.

My DDs SDIP interview was a pleasant chat with a single person not a grilling by a panel.

They asked her about what areas/departments she was most interested in too.

Good luck.

She said she got a reasonably quick response after interview but it was radio silence for ages after then on details of the internship (probably why she went elsewhere).

Great, thanks very much! This is helpful. We’ll see how it goes.

So sorry for not returning to thread earlier - been one of those weeks!

I really appreciate the replies. DD will be doing her year abroad next September so is looking at summer '26.

Is competition for internship places very high?

@PearlStork - good point about CS competencies and nice to hear the interview was a chat rather than a grilling.