Priya Guha

Employer: Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Qualifications: BA social and political sciences, University of Cambridge

I applied to join the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) during my final year at university. I was interested in international politics and wanted to work in government on high-profile issues. I had also completed an undergraduate attachment working in the British Embassy in Beijing, which gave me a feel for the work.

My job

The Foreign Office works to further the UK’s interests in the EU and in other international forums, promoting its policies and values, providing services for ministers and supporting UK citizens abroad. I work on communications issues relating to the European Union, keeping a close eye on the press, summarising and analysing stories and drafting advisory papers or speeches for ministers. There is a wide range of personal development training on offer as well as training on policy issues such as human rights or international law. As a head of section I am also responsible for the work of my section and the management of my team.

Highs and lows

In my nine years working here, I have spent four years based in Madrid as a foreign office diplomat. I had five months’ full-time language training before my placement, with one month spent living with a Spanish family attending local language classes in Salamanca. I was involved in lots of interesting work in Madrid, from lobbying the Spanish on their views on EU policy to organising various visits for the Prime Minister who I met on a few occasions. I was attracted to the FCO precisely because of the opportunity to work abroad. I relish the chance to experience living in many different countries but this can be tough on those with family commitments.