Social Research Placement Student Review
at Government Social Research
Placement (10 Months+)
Research
York
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4.8/5
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Skills Development
4.5/5
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Support and Guidance
3.3/5
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Company Culture
5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
My role is very varied. It involves engaging with policy colleagues to develop research projects and understand their evidence needs, developing and carrying out smaller research projects - eg. surveys with Local Authorities, conducting Rapid Evidence Assessments etc, contract management, supporting on larger projects, and developing and presenting webinars and teach-ins on social research skills and research results.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement (although I believe this level of responsibility was not common for placement students). I have lead on a range of research projects and I currently contract manage a major multi-year research project.
The level of responsibility has ramped up throughout my placement as I have shown myself willing and able to take it on.
The level of responsibility has ramped up throughout my placement as I have shown myself willing and able to take it on.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
I've learnt a lot of skills around procuring and managing research projects (finance, data protection, commercial, etc).
I've learnt about the role of social research in government and how evidence is used.
I've developed stakeholder engagement skills and general professional working skills.
I've developed a lot of specific social research skills (quality assurance, SPSS data analysis, rapid evidence assessment methodology, evaluation approaches - contribution analysis etc.)
I've learnt about the role of social research in government and how evidence is used.
I've developed stakeholder engagement skills and general professional working skills.
I've developed a lot of specific social research skills (quality assurance, SPSS data analysis, rapid evidence assessment methodology, evaluation approaches - contribution analysis etc.)
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
I received a good amount of support and guidance. My managers and social research colleagues have been extremely supportive and always happy to provide support and guidance if I've needed it.
There is not much formal support of guidance and the 'placement scheme' doesn't come with any formal training or support, so it depends on how lucky you get with your manager really.
There is not much formal support of guidance and the 'placement scheme' doesn't come with any formal training or support, so it depends on how lucky you get with your manager really.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
4/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Defra has a wonderful culture. It's a friendly atmosphere and, at least in the team I worked in, they were really good at checking in on my workload. They are also really good at allowing you to work a bit flexibly (I worked extra hours most days and take a half day on Friday).
There are good expectations around work-life balance and I've never had to stay late or take work home.
There are good expectations around work-life balance and I've never had to stay late or take work home.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
2/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
3/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
3/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I've loved it, one of the best things I've ever done. I hope to continue working as a Defra social researcher once I have finished my degree.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Government Social Research
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Government Social Research to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Government Social Research
Make sure you look up the behaviours, format your behaviour answers according to the STAR format and address all the key aspects of the behaviour (and drop in lots of buzzwords).
If you do get in, make the most of the learning opportunities, go on courses etc. And if you find yourself bored or feeling like your work is too easy, talk to your manager and ask for more responsibility.
If you do get in, make the most of the learning opportunities, go on courses etc. And if you find yourself bored or feeling like your work is too easy, talk to your manager and ask for more responsibility.
