Dom chose Bath for its top-notch academics, sporting prowess and the buzz of living in a UNESCO World Heritage city. He threw himself into campus life and undertook a placement at the Bank of England, bringing his course to life and spurring him on for his final year.
After five years as a Civil Servant, Dom is now a Management Consultant in the Public Sector. Read on to find out how Bath prepared Dom for his career.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
Bath felt like a natural place for me to study, a university with a combination of strong academia and sporting prowess. Coupled with the fact that the city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that you are in your own bubble with the campus sitting on top of the hill!
The option to do a placement year is a genuine bonus when finding a job post-studies. It gives you practical experience and (for me at least) a welcome break from studying! Bath’s long history of supporting elite sporting talent is also a huge draw, with top-class facilities and opportunities to do a myriad of sports, no matter your ability.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
Truthfully, no, but that is no bad thing. One of the reasons I decided to study economics was that I knew it would provide me with a breadth of skills and knowledge across multiple fields. This provides some flexibility when deciding which career path to go down.
Studying economics has allowed me to change career paths relatively seamlessly already! Many people may assume an investment bank is the natural home of an economics student, and although I would not rule out a future in finance, I joined the Civil Service as an Economist after graduating. I valued my time there as it provided experience of how the real world works; from how government coordinates effort and allocates funding, to tackling the pandemic and the cost of living crisis and of course managing difficult ministers (there were a lot!).
I recently moved to a consultancy, which has enabled me to take a broader look at the public sector as a whole and learn in a different environment.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here? Any favourite memories, or places to go on campus and in the city?
I have so many fond memories! During my first year, I perhaps listened to my father’s advice too literally when he said: ‘First year doesn’t count, so go and enjoy yourself!’ I would caution that for those aiming to do a placement year, as your first-year grades do indeed count (I found out almost too late), as that’s all employers can go on by the time you apply!
Having said that, I think university is about discovering new things, getting involved in new sports, getting stuck into the vast array of clubs and societies and of course learning from others.
Being at a campus university meant it was a great environment to learn, and having a culturally rich city centre also helped me develop my interests. Perhaps my fondest memory is in my final year, winning the FA People’s Cup at St George’s Park.
Can you tell us about your placement experience?
Initially, I was sceptical about doing a placement. I was unsure whether the disruption to my studies was a good idea. However, it was a terrific decision. I was fortunate enough to work at one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, the Bank of England. It allowed me to develop wider soft skills, made the economics degree feel ‘real’, and as it was related to economics, it improved my studies for my final year, even providing ideas for my dissertation. As around 80% of my cohort did a placement, all my friends still graduated at the same time too.
Describe your career journey since graduating. What is a typical day like in your current role?
My career has been very varied, which is great! I joined the Economist Graduate Scheme at the Cabinet Office in 2019 and had roles scrutinising government spending, writing business cases and creating economic models. I was also fortunate to cover as Private Secretary to the Minister for Constitution & Devolution, and shadowed in teams at No10, Covid-19 Taskforce and G7 Presidency. I was also involved in Op London Bridge and Op Golden Orb. I then moved to the Department for Education, where I worked on strategic analysis during the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Since moving to a public sector consultancy in 2024, I have worked across another four government departments, enabling me to focus on delivery at pace. In addition, I am in the Army Reserve and am an NHS Trust governor, so I feel very much public sector oriented!
What’s your top tip to recent graduates who would like to work in your industry?
Don’t be afraid to make a bold career move. Risk and uncertainty are inherent in everything we do, but if you want to develop the widest possible skillset, then moving organisation, sector, or country is the best way to do it. There will always be pros and cons, but often it is worth taking an initial step backwards to enable multiple steps forward.
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