Ellie's Story: There Isn't One Route into Army Civil Service

There is no single route into the Army Civil Service.

Our people come from a variety of professional, educational and personal backgrounds, bringing transferable skills, fresh perspectives and diverse experiences that help us deliver for Defence. Whether you're looking for a career change, returning to work, leaving the Armed Forces, or simply seeking a new challenge, you may have more to offer than you realise.

We spoke to Ellie about her journey from the Outside Broadcast industry into the Civil Service, and how taking a chance on a completely different role helped her develop new skills, broaden her experience and find new opportunities.

Finding a Career with Purpose

After studying at university, Ellie began her career as a Production Co-ordinator in the Outside Broadcast industry. While she enjoyed the role, she knew she wanted to work somewhere that supported the Armed Forces and Defence community.

"Having grown up in a military family, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that supported the Armed Forces and its community."

In 2022, Ellie joined the Civil Service within CSOC before later securing an internal transfer into her current role with the Army Civil Service HR team.

Her journey demonstrates that there is no single route into the Civil Service or HR profession. Skills and experiences gained in different industries can provide valuable foundations for a successful career in HR.

Taking on a New Challenge

Like many people, Ellie found herself at a career crossroads when circumstances changed.

Following a site relocation, factors outside of work meant that relocating was not possible. Rather than seeing this as a setback, she viewed it as an opportunity to explore a new career path and develop new skills.

"I saw it as a good opportunity to try something different and find a role that would give me new experiences whilst developing a completely new skill set."

Making the move into HR allowed Ellie to broaden her career options while continuing to work in an organisation that supports Defence and the wider Armed Forces community.

 A Welcoming and Supportive Team

Starting a role in a new profession can be daunting, particularly when you have no previous experience in that area. However, Ellie says the support from the team quickly helped put her at ease.

"With not coming from an HR background, it was hard to know what to expect, which made me nervous beforehand. Once I started, I realised those nerves weren't needed."

From day one, colleagues took the time to answer questions, explain processes and provide support whenever it was needed.

"The team have been there to answer every question I've had, even the 'silly' ones, and have taken the time to explain not just what we do, but why we do it."

The welcoming culture extended beyond day-to-day work, with opportunities to get involved in wider team activities and events from the outset.

"Within my first month, I was invited to support a career fair and attend a team day, which really helped me feel part of the team."

You Don't Need an HR Background

One of the key messages Ellie wants to share with potential applicants is not to let a lack of HR experience put them off.

"Go for it. There is a lot of support and learning opportunities within the Civil Service, and there are always people willing to help you learn new skills."

Army Civil Service HR values transferable skills and recognises that people bring different strengths based on their previous careers and life experiences. Whether you've worked in operations, customer service, administration, education, the Armed Forces, retail, project management, or countless other professions, there may be skills you can bring to a role within the team.

Opportunities to Learn and Develop

Learning and development are a key part of life within Army Civil Service HR.

As Ellie continues to grow in her role, she hopes to undertake a CIPD apprenticeship to further develop her HR expertise and gain a recognised professional qualification.

"I want to continue building my understanding of HR and developing skills that will support me throughout my career."

The Civil Service offers a wide range of learning opportunities, professional qualifications and development programmes, helping employees invest in their future while building rewarding careers.

Why Join Army Civil Service HR?

When asked whether she would recommend Army Civil Service HR to others considering a career change or a new challenge, Ellie's answer is clear:

"Absolutely."

For Ellie, some of the biggest benefits include:

• A welcoming and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities to learn new skills and develop professionally.
• Access to apprenticeships and recognised qualifications.
• Flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance.
• A culture where people are encouraged to grow and succeed.
• The opportunity to support Defence and the Armed Forces community.

A Place Where Different Backgrounds Are Valued

At Army Civil Service HR, we know that diverse teams create better outcomes. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities, because different perspectives help us better support our people and the organisation.

As Ellie's experience shows, there isn't one route into Army Civil Service. What matters most is a willingness to learn, a positive attitude and a desire to make a difference.