The festive season – a time that affords us the opportunity to reflect on the year gone by. For me, it has been a year since I joined Wilton Park as an intern in December 2023, beginning my career in foreign policy. I am now employed as a Policy Officer and reflecting on my time at Wilton Park and the journey I took to reach this stage in my career.
Before I joined Wilton Park, I knew little about its role as an Executive Agency of the FCDO and the work it undertook. However, the past year has shown me that Wilton Park is a cornerstone of UK foreign policy – a core part of our country’s active diplomatic efforts globally, bringing together diverse voices, seeking solutions to intractable issues through discussion, idea-sharing, debate and collaboration.
I have wanted to pursue a career in foreign policy since working in Japan as part of the renowned Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme from 2016 to 2020. Whilst my role was predominantly teaching, I had the opportunity to also engage as a liaison between foreign teachers and the Japanese government; an experience which cemented my ambition to work in foreign policy. I sustained this initial ambition upon my return to the UK, completing an MA in international Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS in 2022, working in local politics and the charity sector, where I was involved with improving civic education among young people and supporting international causes such as the Türkiye Earthquake relief.
The accumulation of these experiences, from working with civil servants and diplomats in Japan, to engaging in politics and international causes in the UK, firmed the conviction that this path was right for me and what drew me to seek out the internship at Wilton Park.
Moving from the charity sector to Wilton Park was a significant shift. Here, the fast-paced, dynamic environment pushed me out of my comfort zone and fostered rapid professional growth. I have been able to delve into issues well beyond my original expertise, sharpening my thinking and broadening my understanding of global issues and their complex, interconnected nature.
One of the standout moments from my internship was working on an event focused on Africa, particularly on the increasing instability in East Africa. This experience was especially fulfilling as I was able to interact with participants from diverse backgrounds and hear perspectives that truly enriched the discussion. This event highlighted the unique role Wilton Park plays in facilitating dialogue on pressing global issues that often do not receive enough attention elsewhere.
Wilton Park is a place that people are drawn back to, not just for the meaningful work but also for its legacy of fostering impactful conversations. I experienced this myself with our 2024 dialogue on Europe’s nuclear future, part of cornerstone event series that has been running for 15 years. The autonomy here is notable; whilst we benefit from the support of the FCDO, Wilton Park operates with a high degree of independence in shaping its events, which is quite unique for an organisation in this space.
Beyond the events themselves, my time here has been a masterclass in professional development. Engaging with experts in a variety of fields has honed my communication skills, and these interactions have deepened my understanding of how Wilton Park collaborates with the FCDO and wider Government departments to support UK foreign policy. The mentoring I have received from experienced Programme Directors and the learning resources available have also been instrumental in shaping my career path.
On a personal level, working at Wilton Park has shaped my existing, academic knowledge of geopolitics and foreign policy into a nuanced, practical understanding of the world around me. It is incredibly rewarding to play a role in delivering conferences that draw attention to significant yet often overlooked global challenges.
As an established Policy Officer now, I cherish the greater responsibility and opportunities for growth and development as well as working with like-minded colleagues. The culture at Wilton Park truly makes it a fulfilling place to work and develop a strong career foundation.
As I look forward to the New Year and the exciting new endeavours here at Wilton Park, including our new Global Impact Group and the celebrations of our 80th anniversary, I recall my ambitions for a career in foreign policy from my time in Japan. I have come full circle, and I am pleased to have been able to work on areas close to my heart, particularly the Indo-Pacific and Japan.
For me, this journey at Wilton Park has only just begun, and I look forward to seeing where it leads. None of this could have ever happened without the internship opportunity Wilton Park provides and I highly encourage it as a rewarding opportunity to work at the forefront of UK foreign policy.