Jordan studied electronic engineering at university, before joining an MI5 graduate programme. He now works as an analyst practitioner
What inspired you to pursue a career as an analyst practitioner?
As an engineer I have always been curious how things work and after several years working in telecoms and media - working with customers around the world to build and design technical solutions to solve challenges - I began to realise that if the technology solution wasn't aligned to users' needs then it was never to going to be adopted and fix the perceived challenge.
I then moved into product management, which meant getting to speak with end users and look in-depth at the data that was generated when they used technology. By analysing the difference between what people say and then do, I was able to shape better solutions and outcomes for my customers.
However, I wanted to feel like my work was making a difference and while there is no doubt that many of the solutions I helped deliver did make a difference, it felt superficial in the outcome.
I started to look for roles that would offer more personal fulfilment. I then began to research roles in policing and intelligence where I could use the skills I had from my commercial experience.
How did you get your job?
I applied via a campaign I saw on the organisation's website in the same way I applied for roles with a local police force and the National Crime Agency (NCA). I actually ended up being successful with all three, but chose my current organisation as it was the one that appealed the most.
What kind of tasks do you complete on a typical day?
My days are quite varied, one day I'll be working on long-term projects that use data or tools in a new way, the next day I'll be working on a fast-moving investigation that requires quick thinking and in-depth analysis - making assessments that will shape the decisions that form the next steps in an investigation.
What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?
Finding a positive answer to a question in the data available for analysis.
What three skills are most valuable in your role?
creativity
curiosity
perseverance.
What type of person would suit a career in intelligence?
You have to be curious about the world around you and want to dig deep into data to find answers. While not a technical role, there are aspects that require developing your IT skills and you have to achieve a level of competence to make the most of the role.
Being able to spot details and anomalies in data is important and you can be creative in finding ways to surface these.
What has been your career highlight to date?
I'm still early in my career so big wins remain elusive, but each week there are plenty of small wins that make a difference. Every time you find something that adds to the intelligence picture is a positive.
What are your career ambitions?
For me it's still early days. There's so much to learn about other parts of the organisation and where I want to take my career. One thing I am certain of, there will be no shortage of opportunities in the coming years. The world around us is becoming more complex in almost every way and that presents so many challenges for us. I know I will have the chance to get involved in a huge variety of areas over the next few years.
What would you say to someone who asked you to sum up your job?
I have had many roles in many companies and I can say this is the best job I've had and yet the one I can tell people the least about.
Despite the fact that almost no one will know what you do, and the impact your work has on keeping them safe, this carries a sense of worth and personal fulfilment that very few other jobs in the world can offer.
