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.

* Managing, recruiting to and developing a team of analysts, systems and training professionals

* Leading on monitoring, analysis and reporting of data and information for the Trust

* Building up a responsive, improvement-focused service from the ground up

* Managing the process of making performance measurable across all of the Trust

* Work in a children's services trust, just as in a local authority, is a constant struggle to deliver services with limited resources

* The work is very fast-paced, especially because the trust has a punishing improvement timetable, and this means that priorities and tasks are constantly evolving

* As with any managerial job, it is difficult to work on one thing solidly without being interrupted throughout the day

* I have lead responsibility for the use of data and performance, the administration of the Freedom of Information process and the practice of information security, which creates pressure to ensure that these areas of work are delivered effectively

There is no specified training offer. I work with my line manager, the Trust's Head of Performance and Quality Assurance, to determine what training and development I need and arrange it myself. Currently, this includes management development training and mentoring.

* Civic Temp scheme, Borough of Poole, 2008

* Equal Pay Coordinator, Borough of Poole, 2008-11 including Microsoft Excel and equalities training

* 14-19 Policy and Research Officer, Bournemouth and Poole councils, 2011-12 including PRINCE2 project management, data protection and school governor training

* 14-19 Planning Manager, Bournemouth and Poole councils, 2012-13 including volunteering training

* Management Information Officer, London Borough of Islington, 2013-14 including Visual Basic training

* Planning and Performance Officer, London Borough of Hounslow, 2014 including Outcome Based Accountability training

* Acting Performance and Data Manager, London Borough of Hounslow, 2015

Alex  MA European Governance and Public Policy (2012)
Executive Officer  (Business, administration and public sector)

Accepts questions from students about their career