Keele Management School Magazine Issue #9 2939 KMS Venture Magazine.Joomag FINAL AMEND MARC | Page 14

14 Venture / KEELE MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
Where are they now?
We always enjoy hearing from our alumni, finding out how KMS has helped them,
where they are and what they are doing.
Matthew
In a previous issue of our magazine we featured Economics and Finance student, Matthew Makins who spent summer
2016 working as an intern with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), part of the Government Economic Service (GES).
Matthew now works as an Assistant Economist within the Health Care Analysis Team in the Department of Health. We
asked Matthew about his journey after KMS.
What is your current role?
“I work as an Assistant Economist as part
of the Health Care Analysis Team for the
Department of Health. I currently work on
various issues and policies attached to
the health care market including, but not
limited to, GP indemnity, mental health
services delivered into schools, forecasting
projections on GP workforce for 2020
and more. It is my role to help lead and
deliver these projects through economic
analysis, typically in the form of impact
assessments which contrast the economic
costs and benefits of such policies.”
How has your career progressed?
“Over the course of the next few years
I am expected to rotate across Government
departments to gain experience and skills
that will lead me to fast-track promotions.”
How has your course and
experience at Keele Management
School helped with your career
to date?
“I studied Economics and Finance and
this has benefitted my career. First
and foremost because my degree in this
subject was a pre-requisite to fulfil my role,
as it is part of the Government Economic
Service. The material covered in my course
helped prepare me with the knowledge
and understanding needed to pass the
assessment centres when applying for
jobs and more specifically for this one.
My university experience at Keele was
a phenomenal one and is greatly missed.
These experiences have helped me
in my role as I am now more confident
in my communication, team working
and social skills.”
How did you find your first job
after graduating?
“I was introduced to the Civil Service
during the summer between my second
and final year at university, where I
completed a summer internship at the
Office for National Statistics. I found
this by searching online for internships
and had a key interest in ones that would
benefit my economics knowledge.
After applying and being successful at
the relevant stages, this internship was
secured. The same selection process
applied to my current role where application
was to the Civil Service Fast Stream.
Having this internship background did
offer me an advantage as I had relevant
experience to help me in interviews.”
What advice would you give to
a student currently making their
choice of course/university?
“I would suggest choosing a subject that
you are passionate about and have a
genuine interest in, whilst also accounting
for the likely job prospects your degree
would offer you. Whilst at university, seek
work opportunities during the summer or
during the academic year to help increase
your employability and general working
skills, if you can balance it with workload.
Matthew on internship with the Office for National Statistics
Keele is a great choice as it is not only
a friendly environment with a great
community, but its campus is breath-taking.
It is important to choose a university that
you believe you can thrive at, and most
importantly, be happy.”