The public sector is one of the largest sections in this handbook, mainly because the range of careers it covers is huge. The Civil Service alone remains Britain's largest graduate employer, despite its rigorous selection procedure. In addition, all governmental, civil service, social and NHS work is covered in the sector, and most private sectors have a public application. With President Blair's recent pledge to reform and streamline public services, it's a particularly interesting time to be joining the sector. Not everyone can have James Bond's job, but most in the sector say that it's a consistently challenging and rewarding profession.

The Civil Service and governmental work has traditionally had a staid and negative reputation, with grey suits and bowler hats the norm. However, in recent years the sector has become one of the most competitive to enter, and thus is becoming more of an elite option - the Civil Service Fast Stream in particular is an extremely popular destination for Oxbridge graduates. Having shaken off its image as the less well-paid alternative to privately-funded enterprise, the public sector is a most legitimate destination for Oxbridge graduates, and of course has the attraction of 'working for the common good'.

The Way In

The Civil Service Selection Board is one of the most challenging interview processes around, with entry to the Fast Stream ultra-competitive. Most government agencies recruit graduates directly, although postgraduate study is, as always, a bonus. Entry levels vary greatly between fields (as with many professions, apprenticeship at lower levels is often recommended), as do the requirements of employers. Political employers will naturally often ask for some commitment to and experience with their party.

Key Skills

The range of skills in the public sector is as large as the range of skills in this handbook. With the huge variety of fields in the sector comes a large number of different skill demands, from areas as diverse as hospital management to think tanking.

Pay & Lifestyle

The sector's appeal is primarily vocational, so a high pay packet should not be your first priority. However, the caveat of 'working for the public good' comes in handy here, and should lead to a high job satisfaction. In governmental jobs, especially the foreign office, there are ample opportunities to travel and learn new skills on the job.