Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

I lead on the production of strategic and operational intelligence products seeking to combat human trafficking, migrant smuggling and organised immigration crime upstream in Asia-Pacific. Providing visibility, insight and guidance for our regional teams at 8 diplomatic posts in Bangkok, Hanoi, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, covering 21 regional countries.

I am further dual-hatted as the lead Crisis Information Manager at the British Embassy Bangkok, called upon in times of crisis in Thailand to take ownership of the collation and distilling of all crisis intelligence. Circulated twice daily as Situational Reports to the Ambassador/senior management in country and London. In this capacity I was on duty during the 2013 political upheavals and subsequent military coup, as well as the 2015 Bangkok bombings.

I have been lucky enough to have received a range of ad hoc professional training, in addition to basic training modules. Generally these have been in line with my core operational functions and daily activities, but have also included additional training relating to 'extra curricular' roles and responsibilities, as well as areas of expressed interest linked to personal development objectives. Examples inc:
-- "Advanced Intelligence Analysis, Trafficking of Persons and Smuggling of Migrants", UNODC
-- Intelligence Professional Programme, FCO HMG
-- I2 (criminal mapping software) training, FCO HMG
-- Project management foundation certification (PRINCE2), APM
-- "Strategic Stakeholder Management", FCO HMG
-- "Crisis Management and Continguency Planning", FCO HMG
-- Operational level Thai language training (B2 int. standard)

Ultimately, I will seek to return to the UN, as a consultant or permanent Professional staff. I would like to move back towards the international security field I specialised in as a masters student. To that end, I'll likely undertake a PhD focused on extremism and/or post-conflict development.

One thing I never really thought about as an undergraduate but should have done a lot more of is professional networking. The importance of getting your name and face out there and building your professional contacts cannot be overstated.