Meet Tesmilah

My name is Teslimah Abubakar. I am care experienced and I’m motivated by connecting with like-minded people, learning new skills and advocating for systematic improvements for care experienced individuals. I have been part of the civil service since 2022.

Before the Civil Service

Before joining the civil service, I studied media production at university and graduated during the pandemic, which made it challenging to find opportunities in the industry. Towards the end of my studies, I realised that my interests had shifted. After graduating, I gained experience in administrative roles within the charity sector and the NHS before transitioning into the civil service.

Breaking Into the Civil Service

I secured a role in the civil service through the care leavers internship scheme, run by the Department for Education. This scheme is open to care leavers aged 18 – 30.

The application process was different from any I had previously experienced. It required a written application where I had to demonstrate my skills using the STAR method, which was new to me. After submitting my application, I was invited to an interview and offered a role in the Department for Education as a “Diary manager and Personal Assistant” to the Deputy Directors.

The internship is different compared to other schemes I’ve seen, as you can be placed in any role and in any government department that have chosen to take part. In other schemes, you usually know the role in advance or have a general idea of the type of job you’ll be doing.

Life in Your Current Role

I work as a Diary manager and Personal Assistant. A typical day involves managing my deputy director’s diary ensuring there are no scheduling conflicts, responding to emails, and handling meeting requests or clearance approvals. I also arrange accommodation and travel, provide secretariat support for senior leaders, and coordinate agendas for cross cutting meetings. My role includes commissioning papers and tracking progress on key actions. Additionally, I support the wider team with various tasks, such as acting as the business continuity lead or supporting the team on any ad hoc tasks.

Alongside my role, I am also the chair of the Care Experienced Network at DfE. This involves engaging and collaborating with other networks and policy areas to add value to the community.

Career-Changing Moments

One of my biggest career achievements has been working with HR, alongside my co-chair, to extend the Care Leavers Internship from 12 months to 18 months. This was a major accomplishment, as the internship has positively impacted many lives, providing care leavers with job stability and a pathway into a career in the civil service. I am proud to have contributed to this policy change and hope to continue influencing policies that support care experienced individuals.

Advice for Future Civil Servants

I am still in the early stage of my civil service journey, but for anyone considering a career in the civil service, my advice would be to apply! There are so many opportunities across different departments, offering personal and professional growth, flexible working and strong support networks.

For those starting out, I would say – go at your own pace, whether it’s taking on a new opportunity, applying for a promotion, or exploring different roles, it’s easy to feel pressured by other’s timeline. However, the only person who truly know when you’re ready is you.

Stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions – there’s no such thing as a silly question. We’re all learning and figuring things out as we go along, so embrace the journey and make the most of every opportunity.

The Civil Service is such a dynamic space, and if you’re passionate about making an impact, go for it!

Let’s continue building a Civil Service where everyone has the chance to make a difference.

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