Careers in Public Sector Event
Representatives from the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department for the Economy NI (DfE), came together to network with postdoctoral researchers from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University to discuss careers in the public sector after leaving academia.
Dr June Faccini (DfE) opened the event by sharing her own career journey, the steps that led her to various roles in the public sector, up to her current position of Head of Higher Education Research and Knowledge Exchange. June’s personal story set the scene for the day.
Over 60 attendees had the opportunity to speed-network with public sector employees who had transitioned from academia after completing a PhD or research role. The session consisted of small group discussions, with participants moving between tables to speak directly with, and ask questions of, former PhDs and postdocs now working in various public sector departments.
The morning concluded with a panel discussion featuring Dr Peter Gilleece (Head of Policy and Analysis, Queen’s University Belfast; formerly in the public sector), Dr Janet Diffin (Senior Research and Development Programme Manager, Public Health Agency), and Cathryn Blair (Senior Principal Statistician, DfE). The panel shared insights on the recruitment process, where to find opportunities, and tips for strong applications, before taking questions from the audience tailored to their individual interests.
After the structured sessions, attendees continued conversations and made new connections while networking over lunch, providing a more informal opportunity to explore ideas and share experiences.
Feedback from participants and attendees indicated that the event was highly successful in connecting postdocs with public sector professionals and opening minds to potential opportunities beyond academia across all disciplines. Attendees reported increased confidence in applying for such roles, and valued hearing first-hand career accounts from those further along the journey.
In one particularly inspiring outcome, a Queen’s postdoc who attended the event has since applied for, and secured, a role within the Public Health Agency. The power of networking in action!