Career in Civil Services

Jahnavi Nagpal

I’m Jahnvi and I am a Civil Service Fast Streamer, currently in the Cabinet Office. I find politics, government and public policy very interesting, but I didn’t always think I would end up there. My journey has changed many times through the years, but I wouldn’t change a thing because it allowed me to explore my likes and interests fully.

 I did the International Baccalaureate (IB) in school, in which I chose to study Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and English, as well as Maths, French and Theory of Knowledge. I chose Science as my focus because I wanted to help people, and although I started receiving my acceptances for Medical School, something just didn’t sit right for me. I studied hard for the University Clinical Aptitude Tests (UCAt or UKCAT) and BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) for the Medical School entrance tests, using books and practice papers, all whilst also completing all of my internal assessment (IA) Projects for the IB and preparing for my final exams. 

It was all very intense, but I couldn’t knock the feeling that, although I had a lot of respect for doctors and surgeons, in this life it wasn’t for me. My IB Extended Essay being in English and feminist writings of modern day literature should have clued me in that my heart belonged somewhere other than a Science field. Till date, I find Biology and Psychology ever so interesting, but my passion was helping people but in a different manner. It is a burden to expect to know what you want to do for the rest of your life at 16, but hey, that is how the educational cookie crumbles. I decided it was the law and charity sector that may be for me.

I knew my heart belonged in changing the world, but as a young person I knew it’s easier dreamt than done. I pursued a degree in LLB Law and Human Rights, which still helped me follow my passion for helping people. After a years break due to the lockdown, I decided I wanted to take my knowledge and this drive further, to a global scale, I completed my masters in LLM International Law and International Relations. I learnt more about Public International Law, Policies, and Armed Conflicts around the world. With all of this work for Public law and the drive to make a change, Private, Commercial and Corporate Law just didn’t appeal to me. During this time, the world had also shut down and we were in the middle of a world-wide pandemic. Although I was applying to roles and opportunities, it was radio silence. I was actively applying for roles in charities between my degrees, but to no avail. But what’s a journey with no hurdles? The thing that kept me going the most was never giving up and continuing to put myself out there. There were of course moments I wanted to give up and felt no hope, but my mum pushed me continuously. She also provided many reality checks, with she is notoriously good at, but most importantly the world was literally closed for business so there are bigger fish to fry than beating myself up. 

Once I started my masters, I found my work in armed conflict the most interesting, and I wrote my masters dissertation on Kashmiri Pandit Exodus, titled “A Paradise Lost: Why is there no adequate legal remedy for the internally displaced Kashmiri Pandits in India and how can this be addressed in Law?”. I explored the plight of Internally Displaced Persons, and how Kashmiri Pandits were denied the protections they deserved and how IDPs need a ratified treaty binding countries to protect their citizens, including those who have been displaced. During this time, I also applied to the Civil Service Fast Stream, which had extensive tests, work based scenarios and personality quizzes. After the many stages, through video interview and assessment centre, I finally received my acceptance and placement in the Cabinet. 

It felt quite surreal. Walking out on Westminster station, facing the Big Ben, just stunned in the awe that I actually work here. While speaking to my late grandfather, who would tell me stories of his struggle and life as a refugee, who would have thought that the day would come that I work in the government with the ministers. It can all be very daunting, but I kept to my most authentic self and trodded along and now I find myself in one of the best teams to work in. The Civil Service entrance process is one that assesses you for your own self and experiences; they aren’t exams one can necessarily prep for, because they assess you through so many stages and it is you that must shine through it all. You can try doing practice tests online, but you must portray the behaviours and success profiles they seek through your actions.

I like to believe, even after all those years of school, four years of university and various experiences I have had, that I am still at the start of my journey. Find your passion, what drives you, what interests you, what fits your personality and go from there. There are so many different courses, avenues, and ways to start a career, you have to find what fits you; not what you can try fitting into! I am still in the process of figuring out how I will make a difference in the future, how I will use my knowledge of law, human rights and international relations and how I will climb the ladder. That is okay!! You have your whole life to figure out where you’d like to go in the future, but don’t sit by and let your life happen. Be proactive, seek out opportunities and explore different fields. Networking will become your best friend; ask for mentors and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. More often than not people will feel flattered and want to help you as it is likely they know the importance of networking and mentoring. People came out of the Pandemic with many different outcomes, but it was not a productivity competition. It’s okay that you had to take a break, we all did. But now that we are in the tail end of it all, pick yourself up and dust yourself off and put yourself out there.

  Remember, koshish karne walon ki haar nahi hoti.