Bryony Danks’
Operational Delivery journey

What led you to apply for the Civil Service Fast Stream programme?

I had always envisaged myself going into the public sector and I applied in my final year of university. This was an opportunity to develop as a leader and grow my network. I didn’t apply for anything else and I had planned to travel following university, but I knew how competitive the Fast Stream was. I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

How did you first hear about the Civil Service Fast Stream programme?

It will have been whilst I was at university, but I cannot pinpoint when. It was always something that people applied for, and it was the one graduate scheme that aligned with my goals and morals, so I applied.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Are you a recent graduate? What is your degree and how do you feel you can use it in the Civil Service?

I graduated from Cardiff University in 2022. I did an undergraduate Politics and International Relations degree. The skills I use most from my time at university are the ones I gained from extra-curricular activities. I completed around 400 hours of volunteering as a student mentor, student representative and Guild of Societies committee member, and most valuably my time as elected Women’s Officer within the Student Union.

The skills of managing mailboxes, utilising Teams’ spaces, organising events and representing an organisation are all things that have been valuable as I have started my career in the Civil Service.

How have the projects you have worked on helped deliver better services for the people of the UK? What was your contribution?

My next placement will be in Net Zero policy, and this is where I feel like I will be making a difference. I have been passionate about making positive changes for the environment and climate, and I am looking forward to getting an opportunity to have a real-world impact on the change that is needed to become a more sustainable society.

What is your ultimate career ambition?

I am open to the endless opportunities that the Civil Service offers. At this stage, I do not want to close any doors. I know I want to work in key policy areas that have a positive impact on the lives of the general public, so being able to create a career in the Civil Service will allow the other aspects of my ambitions to be endless.

There are so many doors to open, and I am excited to see what I will be doing in the next 5, 10 and 15 years.

What advice would you give to someone else considering applying to the Civil Service Fast Stream programme?

My motto for things like this is, “Somebody has to; why not me?”. This has been key to dealing with my imposter syndrome.

There is nothing to lose by putting yourself forward.