Ronnie studied for a BSc in chemistry and physics before joining a graduate programme at MI5. They now work as an intelligence analyst
What inspired you to pursue a career as an intelligence analyst?
I enjoyed the analytical aspect of my degree the most - taking a range of data from different sources and pulling it together to find the answer to a question. I wasn't so interested in the scientific part however, so I started looking for jobs with 'analyst' in the title. When I saw the intelligence analyst post being advertised it sounded ideal - the analytical work I enjoyed paired with much more interesting subject matter.
How did you get your job?
I'd been working in the police as an intelligence analyst for a few years but wanted a change, which is when I saw the advert for intelligence analysts on my organisations careers' website. After filling out the application form, I went through some tests, a telephone interview, online interview and finally an assessment centre.
It was a rigorous process and very rewarding to be told I'd passed at the end. After waiting a little longer to pass the vetting checks, I was in.
What kind of tasks do you complete on a typical day?
Each day usually begins with some routine tasks, checking for anything of interest that's happened in the last 24 hours. I then look at the latest projects that duty officers need analytical support on and prioritise the most urgent to work on for the rest of the day. I'll review intelligence from across our system and other sources to pull together analytical reports, which then inform the investigative strategy going forwards. There will inevitably be some urgent requests and phone calls throughout the day that interrupt that schedule, but that's half the fun.
What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?
When you find that key piece of intelligence that makes everything else fall into place - for that moment you're the only person who knows, and then it's very satisfying reporting your findings and watching the cogs of the intelligence machine take it and start to work on what comes next.
What are the challenges?
Due to the sensitivities of the role, the details of what I work on are kept confidential. It can be difficult at times, especially when things are mentioned publicly, but you've always got a supportive team around you to talk to while you're at work.
Have you completed specific training/qualifications in your role?
I had lots of initial training - several months of analysis training in techniques and the systems we would be using. Once that was complete, I joined my analysis team, but there's always more systems to be trained on or additional courses you can sign up for to broaden your skillset.
What three skills are most valuable in your role as an intelligence analyst?
An open-minded nature - it's important to be objective when analysing information to see exactly what it’s telling you. You can't let any bias affect your judgement or draw conclusions from information that isn't there, and sometimes the best thing you can do is say that you don't know.
Curiosity - you need to be interested in digging into the details and following interesting threads to discover useful intelligence. Sometimes something that appears initially innocuous kicks your analysis sixth-sense into action, and what you find from following that can end up being the golden nugget you were waiting for.
Independence - as an analyst, you're trusted to manage your workload yourself and aren't micromanaged, so you need to be confident working independently day-to-day, managing priorities and talking with partners in other teams. Having said this, you always have your wider analytical team who can give you advice and expertise when you need it.
What type of person would suit a career in intelligence?
From your first day at the organisation, you'll see there's no one personality that works here. In intelligence, as long as you enjoy problem solving, can stay calm under pressure and have a healthy dose of nosy-ness then you'll fit right in.
Can you debunk a myth about working in the field?
Your colleagues are all normal people. That's not a disappointing thing though - it's a really nice atmosphere in the office, with everyone working towards a common goal, and everyone (including management) is very approachable and happy to talk.
What has been your career highlight to date?
In my first month after training, I worked as part of the analytical team on an investigation which successfully disrupted a threat. Seeing the result reported in the wider public domain was incredibly satisfying, knowing that I had been a part of making that happen.
What are your career ambitions?
It's hard to say at this stage - I'm looking forward to learning more in my current role and trying out other analyst roles in different areas of the organisation. After a few years, I'll be able to work in any role in the organisation, including outside of analysis, so ahead of that I'm definitely interested in finding out more about all the other teams.
What advice can you give to other aspiring intelligence analysts?
Practice your problem-solving skills whenever you can - whether that's in other jobs with an analytical aspect to them, or in hobbies in your personal life like puzzles or gaming. Keep researching what's out there, be confident in your skills and yourself, and I hope to meet you when you join us.
