Catherine Clark

"As a Government scientist, I provide scientific evidence to help design government policies that deliver the best for the general public. I manage research projects and ensure that they are on time and budget. Both of these fit with the 'Coordinator' personality type. I am also an 'Influencer' as a lot of my role is \"translating\" complicated science and analysis into simplified language that anyone can understand."

"I am on the Civil Service Science and Engineering Fast Stream. This means that I get to experience four different roles in government over a range of different topics during my three years on the scheme.In my first Government role, I looked at how we can reduce the carbon emissions we make from heating our homes, which is really important in our efforts to tackle climate change. In my second role, I provided evidence on biodiversity targets (e.g. reducing extinction rates, protecting our ocean). These targets are negotiated and set on a global scale to help tackle biodiversity loss. I am now working on building safety (e.g. fire safety, structural safety) in the Ministry of Housing. There are many, many jobs in the Civil Service which require STEM skills – everything from railways to climate science, to national statistics. The Civil Service even has its own ‘Government Science and Engineering Profession’ whose aim is to provide the best STEM expertise and advice to support policy decisions.I love my job because I get to use science and evidence to create real, positive change.I am on a graduate scheme with a starting salary of £28,000. "

"I completed an integrated Masters course at university in Natural Sciences. My university course was broad so I was able to take modules in maths, chemistry, earth sciences and even computer science. I joined the Civil Service Fast Stream straight after university.Working as a Government scientist is the perfect opportunity to use the science and engineering that I have learnt for a good cause. Working in the public sector means that you know that every aspect of your job has the potential to affect millions of people’s lives all around the country. For example, when I worked on heating, I know that almost every household has a heating system, a boiler, radiators etc. I am really able to get behind the work that I do because I believe it is important to our future."

"I love singing and music! I have always sung around the house, either on my own or with my siblings. I sang in the school choir and then started singing with the London Youth Choir and the National Youth Choir. I carried on singing at university, and even tried out some a capella and some opera! I don't do as much singing as I used to but I continue to sing at church on a Sunday morning. "

"At the moment I am working from home - this means that a lot of my time is spent on my laptop on emails, video calls or writing/editing documents. A typical day is broken up into different meetings and projects. I get to speak to lots of different people - including people in other Government Departments, those working for the Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland Government, sometimes even Government Ministers. I also talk to external people working in industry or academia. A highlight for me would be supporting a Government Minister in a debate in the House of Commons. I got to sit in on the debate and was even on Parliament TV!"

"I have 4 A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics & Chemistry. I have a BA and MSci in Natural Sciences - an MSci is a type of integrated Masters where you don't graduate in between doing your undergraduate degree and your masters. "