Calla Cambrey had planned to become a barrister but a work placement in the Welsh government in Cardiff, where she is studying economics and politics, helped inspire her to apply for jobs in the civil service.
“In the situation we’re in now, I want a job where I’m giving back,” she says. “A lot of people won’t come out of the pandemic particularly well, and I want to work somewhere where I can help.”
Her views on public sector careers are mirrored by others in a number of countries around the world. Coronavirus has fuelled renewed interest in the sector, whether because of a heightened sense of public service, the relatively attractive terms on offer or a lack of alternative opportunities during the current economic downturn.