Callum Maskery

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I worked in several public sector roles, including as an Analyst at Ofgem, a Policy Officer at the FCDO and also completed an internship at an International Trade Consulting company.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I chose this career due to the focus on geopolitics, current affairs and international relations, the variety of roles I’m able to work on, the opportunity for overseas travel and the representative position I hold when meeting with external stakeholders. This career also aligned very well with my educational background and previous experiences. The topics I work on and the importance of these for the United Kingdom is the reason why I like this role so much.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a member of EURFC, Exeter University Officer Training Corps (EUOTC) and Scandinavian Society.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I really enjoyed studying a mixture of previous and current events, which gave me the necessary longevity of background to understand and interpret how things happened in the present and why. My course also offered lots of flexibility of module choices, which also gave me the chance to study things I previously wasn’t aware of. My year abroad really matured my way of thinking and gave me the opportunity to live in a different country for a year, making lifelong friends and is something that most people have never done nor will ever do.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I loved the atmosphere of the university, the reputation it had, the people I met and the location, which made Exeter truly feel like a home.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The academic reputation and the design of the university made it very attractive, especially having such a strong extracurricular environment and focus, which made socialising incredibly easy.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

The University’s internship programme set me on my eventual employment course and also the Study Abroad option was the most important aspect which helped my career.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

The current job market is incredibly tough, especially for those who have limited professional experience. The key message I would say to people looking to join the FCDO is that the vast amount of people working in the FCDO didn’t start here and the majority working in other government departments, before moving over into the organisation. Importantly, once you join the Civil Service, you also have the option to view jobs not often advertised externally, which means that it’s easier to find a role you are interested in.

What are your plans for the future?

To remain within the FCDO and hopefully gain a posting overseas at an Embassy.