Careers

Jill Fryars, Consultant

"I discovered CEPA through the careers fair at my university. I wanted to work for a company with an economic perspective, whose focus went beyond just improving a bottom line. I was also seeking a role that would provide me with opportunities to learn new things all the time whilst retaining a good work-life balance. After looking through the projects on the website and speaking to some of the team, I knew I wanted to apply."

Stephen Garavan, Consultant

"What first attracted me to CEPA was the fact that new joiners were not required to immediately specialise in a particular field or discipline. This approach gives the flexibility for new joiners to find their own areas of particular interest within the company."

Petra Koulia, Senior Consultant

"I worked in finance straight after my undergraduate degree, and two years into that I realised I wanted to do more in economics – so I did a masters, and then came across CEPA at a careers fair. The work sounded interesting and more meaningful, so I applied. After working for a very large firm, I also wanted to try a smaller place, and CEPA fit the bill for that as well."

Theo Guthrie, Economist

"Some would call it destiny, others perhaps not. Having done both my undergraduate and master’s in economics, I knew that I wanted a job in the field. Following a year working in economic consulting elsewhere, it became apparent to me that a focus on public sector projects was more to my taste, and that is where CEPA fit in! I applied, got the interview, and then destiny took its course…"

Emily Sprake, Consultant

"I have found my time at CEPA very engaging and motivating, which I had hoped it would be going into the role. I knew that CEPA worked across a number of sectors for a range of clients, but the variation in the types and topics of projects that are undertaken surprised me."

Theo Guthrie, Economist

"As my past experience came from a larger company, I was surprised by the exposure you get to the running of the company, e.g. actively participating in procurement. In terms of what I expected, the technical requirements and intellectual content of projects is definitely as I had hoped."

Will Glevey, Consultant

"I had done some work in transport going into the role, for example looking at the uptake of electric vehicles. While this is still a real interest and something we advise on at CEPA, I’ve enjoyed learning about the energy sector and developing my knowledge there."

Jill Fryars, Consultant

"I didn’t have a favourite sector when I joined CEPA, but having studied Environmental Economics, I was keen to get involved in projects related to decarbonisation. I was also curious about Global Health. Now, two years later, I’ve worked across all sectors and undertaken a range of project work. I still don’t have a favourite sector. Rather, I enjoy getting involved in projects related to infrastructure finance as well as those that have a social focus."

Stephen Garavan, Consultant

"One of the things that first attracted me to CEPA was that new joiners did not need to immediately specialise within a particular sector so going into the role, I didn’t have a particular favourite sector in mind. Of late, I have been enjoying working within the energy practice where I’ve enjoyed working on some more quantitative projects."

Jill Fryars, Consultant

"My biggest challenge has been working on projects that just aren’t my cup of tea. It’s the nature of consultancy, and a good way to discover (and value) what you do like. I found the best way to overcome this was to focus on what I could get out of the project - there is always something to learn."

Stephen Garavan, Consultant

"Working in 2019 on an evaluation of investments in epidemic preparedness and response. The project was fascinating to work on and ended up being even more interesting given the current Covid-19 outbreak that followed."

Jill Fryars, Consultant

"Working on a local currency credit enhancement knowledge product for the African Development Bank. I had an opportunity to work with and learn from an amazing team, discovering the challenges in financing infrastructure in countries that suffer from macroeconomic instability with shallow financial markets, as well as the products that can enable such investments. I was lucky enough to travel to Africa to interview stakeholders for this project!"

Will Glevey, Consultant

"I have worked on a couple of projects to do with how to alleviate poverty in the water sector. These have been really interesting and tested my modelling skills, while at the same time achieving analysis that will hopefully help make an essential service a little more affordable for real people."

Theo Guthrie, Economist

"For me, I think my work in global health has been the most rewarding. I got to provide some meaningful analysis on a project evaluating HIV prevention funding. Getting to appreciate the issues, as well as the progress made, in fighting such a devastating disease has been something I really appreciated."

Petra Koulia, Senior Consultant

"Every project completion – particularly ones that you contribute a lot to! It is even more rewarding where I am involved in presenting the results to our client and they seem engaged with the material and satisfied."

Stephen Garavan, Consultant

"I really enjoy the opportunity that is afforded at CEPA to work in small teams directly alongside established industry experts. Being part of a small team allows new joiners to take ownership over project outputs which is a great way to quickly develop your technical skillset and experience."

Emily Sprake, Consultant

"The autonomy the role provides, allowing you to organise your own workload and take ownership of sections of the analysis/deliverable."

Will Glevey, Consultant

"I enjoy that each project brings fresh analytical challenges to solve, which all require a mix of economic theory, creativity, and practicality. I haven’t been bored since joining!"

Emily Sprake, Consultant

"Playing 5-aside football – a group of us entered a team in a weekly local league, which was a lot of fun!"

Petra Koulia, Senior Consultant

"I’m a big fan of the wine and cheese nights, particularly when they are held at the office, as it feels a bit like a family get-together – everybody helps prepare the food, the kitchen is a little small, but there is still place for everyone, people drop in and out and sometimes bring their partners, and everyone is just relaxed and happy (though that could also be the wine)."

Will Glevey, Consultant

"Don’t be afraid to put yourself forward for things that interest you. Once people at CEPA know your goals they try their hardest to help make them happen."

Emily Sprake, Consultant

"Do not be afraid to ask questions, or for help, if you are unsure of anything!"

Petra Koulia, Senior Consultant

"People are friendly and always helpful, projects are interesting, and you get to learn a lot and be challenged. It’s genuinely great. (I may answer differently on very busy days close to a big deadline, but my overall position stands!)"

Theo Guthrie, Economist

"You get to answer challenging questions in a variety of interesting areas, with the help of colleagues who have years of industry experience and care about making sure you learn and develop your expertise."