Dan Easterbrook

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Civil Service

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

Since leaving Exeter, I have worked as a Civil Servant. I have also become a trustee of ThinkForward UK, a charity that supports young people in their school to work transition.

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

I wanted to, and love, making a difference. Working in the Civil Service and with ThinkForward UK gives me the opportunity to do just that.

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

I was a part-time Students’ Guild elected officer, and a founding member of West Country Society.

Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?

Yes.

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

I loved being able to focus on public policy and work with leading academics. In my final year, as a result of focusing on public policy, I was able to write a dissertation that brought together my interests which I’d developed throughout the course.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I loved having the opportunity to study modules outside of my degree. Exeter gave me the opportunity to study things like Spanish, Disability Studies and even Forensics Sciences. This meant I was able to develop a range of skills and work across the University.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

For two reasons. The first being that the department offered a focus on public policy. The second being the atmosphere and the facilities, which I experienced at several open days. It’s cliché but it really did feel homely and crucially that I’d be happy to spend three years in Exeter.

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

The ability to understand often quite complex ideas and explain these clearly and offer a sound judgement is probably the most important skill. In terms of experience, being an elected officer and part of societies really helped me to develop skills practically while developing them academically as part of lectures and assignments.

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

Enjoy your time at Exeter! While you do, reflect on the skills and experiences that you have and how you could apply them to Civil Service Success Profiles. You’ll find that you have examples from across your time at Exeter, academic and personal, that will support your journey to becoming a Civil Servant.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m planning on continuing in the Civil Service.