Sandwich Student Economist Review

Assist the Data Sources team with current priorities. This involves supporting prioritisation of data acquisitions, based on communications across office to assess need of each new source. Also work on data quality, providing a dashboard of data quality metrics of key data sources used at the ONS

Somewhat yes. Got to feed into important decisions that had ramifications across Economic Statistics at ONS and also fed into some publications, but didn't have responsibility of making that decision by myself

Yes. A very wide variety of training available and actively encouraged to participate in. Technical skills-wise, I have picked up the fundamentals of Python and R. Regular communications with stakeholders and team members improve soft skills too, with opportunities to present improving my confidence here

Quite a lot. Really positive support from line manager, encouraging to take opportunities beyond business as usual work such as conferences, training and shadowing. A big promotion of mentoring and shadowing facilitates that if desired

Very friendly and supportive. As expected, some colleagues are more outgoing than others but have not once felt remotely unconformable whilst on placement

Massively.
The array of learning and development, really friendly and supportive colleagues along with a massive drive for inclusivity made it a great place to work.
I do recognise that moving nearby the office, meeting fellow placement students and being able to meet with colleagues was a key part of this. The placement would not have been as good fully remotely.

Yes