Ben S.

Economic Advisor
Happy to mentor
Happy to be contacted

About me

Ben S.
Economics and Related Studies
Economics
Undergraduate
Halifax
2012
United Kingdom

My employment

Economic Advisor
Civil Service
United Kingdom
Government and civil service
Large business (250+ employees)
2012

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A day in the life of a Economic Advisor in the United Kingdom

I joined the Civil Service Fast Stream in 2012, and have since worked in HMRC, HM Treasure and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Briefly describe the organisation you work for

HM Revenue and Customs administers the UK tax system.

What do you do?

I lead a team of analysts who specialise in understanding the impact of the UK's tax system and estimating the impact of prospective policy changes.

Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?

I joined the Civil Service Fast Stream in 2012, and have since worked in HMRC, HM Treasure and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. I enjoy working with data and applying economics in real world situations, influencing the UK tax policy.

Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?

No - I knew from my second year of study that I wanted to apply economics in my career.

Describe your most memorable day at work

I worked on the UK's response to the Greek debt crisis. This was an exciting (and tiring) experience.

Are there any challenges associated with your job?

The public sector is a fast moving environment, meaning I often have to shift focus and pick up new skills in order to rise to new challenges.

What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?

I was an active member of the poetry society. I enjoyed doing something different to economics and learning about a field I wasn't studying.

What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?

Try and speak to someone who has been recruited in the field, or with the employer, you want to work for. Reflections on interview processes, working culture and day-to-day experiences are important.

Next steps...

If you like the look of Ben’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Ben a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Ben to be your mentor.

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