Patrick Roseveare-Turner

About Heather's career

Describe your current role

I currently work in the Pensions and Later Life Analysis Team within the Department for Work and Pensions. I produce analysis, evidence, and impact assessments to shape negotiations, funding, and policy with a range of different stakeholders. 

Explain how you got this role after studying Politics at Newcastle

I successfully applied to the Fast Stream in my final year at Newcastle. As part of the Fast Stream, you must undertake three different rotations before the end of scheme assessment. I am currently halfway through my second rotation with the Department for Work and Pensions and after this I will be moving to the Department for Health and Social Care. 

Studying at Newcastle

In what ways was studying Politics at Newcastle important for getting this job?

Studying at Newcastle taught me how to think critically – it enabled me to analyse a range of information and form an evidence-based judgement. 

How do you employ skills learnt during your degree, in your current job?

At university I learnt how to structure an argument logically. In my current role, I often have to take an ambiguous problem and simplify it for Ministers, studying at Newcastle enabled me to identify the relevant information and present it in a concise and clear manner.  

Did you complete a placement/study abroad during your time at Newcastle? If so, how has this benefited your current career?

I didn't – However, I can’t recommend this highly enough. I work with placement students who regularly explain how taking a year off to a placement with the Civil Service has really helped them develop their softer skills, and it has also helped them re-focus for their final year.

What extra-curricular activities or societies were you involved in during your time here? 

Whilst at University I was a peer mentor and played inter-mural football. Being a peer mentor was very rewarding as you were able to help students with any problems they encountered.

In my first year I was very lucky to have an excellent peer mentor and without their help, I would have struggled with so many things, therefore it was a great opportunity to give back to other students. 

What was the best thing about studying Politics at Newcastle?

The best thing about studying Politics at Newcastle is the expert support you receive from lectures and other staff members. All my lectures had an open-door policy, where if I had any questions or concerns, they would always make time for you.

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