Olivia Allen

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Cabinet Office

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I graduated from Exeter in July 2023, and started in the Civil Service Fast Stream that September through the Fast Stream programme. I joined the Ministry of Defence for my first rotation, working as a Civilian Reward Manager for 18 months, before moving into my current posting as a business partner in the Department for Work and Pensions.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I had hoped for a while to work in the public sector, and the Fast Stream specifically was able to provide me with a breadth of experience across departments and roles. I most enjoy the networks I have been able to build across government departments, and the nature of my current role as one that allows me to operate at a high strategic level with a business area making a real difference to the lives of people across the country.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

While at Exeter I was a member of the Politics Society. I also wrote for The Witness.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

My favourite thing about my programme was being able to combine subjects, specifically taking Russian modules alongside Politics and Sociology despite having no background in the language. My biggest highlight may be cliche, but it would have to be graduating with friends and family around me knowing that I was there as a result of my own hard work.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The thing I enjoyed the most about studying at Exeter was the people I met. I created life-long friendships and relationships with people I still see and speak to frequently, and can’t imagine my life without them.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose to study in Exeter because of the subjects and modules available that aligned greatly to my interests. I was aware of its good reputation, and after visiting the city liked it as a location- especially as it was so easy to get to the sea!

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Communication has been key across all of my roles, and will continue to be a fundamental skill for me moving forward. My degree helped to hone my communication, both written and verbal, and skills I developed through my degree in essay/project writing, research, and presentations have been incredibly useful in my work life.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I would advise thinking about why it is specifically you want to join the Civil Service/a particular department, as motivation and enthusiasm for your work is incredibly important in this sector. I would also look into opportunities I was unaware of while at Uni such as the Summer Internship Programme and other offerings from various departments which allow you to gain a closer working insight into Civil Service operations.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m due to finish on the Fast Stream programme later this year, and plan to continue developing within the Civil Service in leadership positions.