Whenever I drive or walk past Reigate College I’m filled with fond memories. Some of my best friends I remember meeting in that first week – in the refectory, in class, on the bus. In the best way possible, College was a huge change: I fitted in a lot more with my peers and, importantly, teachers treated us with respect as young adults. It was a great ‘next step’ before going into the workplace or university, as the wider world can feel quite intimidating. I really enjoyed my subjects, with Film and English teaching me valuable critical thinking skills that set me up well for university and my career aspirations.

My grades at the end of College weren’t particularly great, but that was no fault other than my own. I felt that I couldn’t get into university and it did cause a lot of anxiety. I was quite hard on myself and I felt very small, especially when all my friends were off to uni and having a great time. I needed some time to really get my head straight and gain more clarity before making an important move into university or committing to a certain career, so I worked as a bartender in the meantime.

While at College, I started working for Disability Challengers, a charity that provided play and youth schemes for young people with learning disabilities, challenging these through stimuli such as play. It felt so rewarding giving families respite and seeing a smile on a young person’s face. After College, I continued to work there and felt that doing similar work in an educational environment would be benefit my personal development and provide great work experience. I secured a job as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) at Oasis Academy Coulsdon providing 1:1 classroom support for SEN students and assisting with wider SEN strategies or provision. It was pretty intimidating at first, because alongside being an LSA, I was also responsible for a 30-strong form of Year 7s!

I really enjoyed working at Oasis, but after about two years I was starting to think about what else I could do to make an impact in a different, perhaps broader way. And that’s when it happened. One day, the PREVENT team from the local authority ran a continuing professional development session for Oasis staff. They spoke about radicalisation, what it looks like and how some young people could be susceptible to this. I was immediately interested and instantly knew that this was something I wanted to know more about.

I started looking at universities, went to open days and asked all the staff and students questions about the different course options. I finally settled on studying Criminology at Portsmouth and in 2019 made that leap into a whole new world – one that I consciously chose for my own development, rather than what I thought I may have wanted.

Unfortunately, the pandemic hit hard for a good chunk of my time at uni, but I did make some good friends and worked hard, including continuing my work at Challengers and taking on a research role in the university Careers department. It’s fair to say I did struggle with my mental health in my second year, but then something great happened: I got a call from the university placements team about an opportunity with Hampshire Constabulary. As it was voluntary, not many people wanted to do it. However, I saw it as an investment in my own skills and something that would help my career prospects. I applied, did the interview and was offered the role. My time there involved me undertaking research into police wellbeing that I presented to the senior leadership. It was this placement that helped me realise that I wanted a career in intelligence, research or analysis.

My final year at university was great. My dissertation focused on the increased risk of radicalisation in young people as a result of the pandemic, which later went on to be published. I went scuba diving lots – a new love discovered at uni – and did well academically: it was an emotional moment going from my grades literally spelling the word ‘D.U.D.E.’ to a first-class degree with Honours.

After graduating, I worked as a Market Researcher for an American construction recruitment consultancy to tide me over while I looked for work related to my interests I then saw and applied for a role with the Metropolitan Police Service as an Intelligence Researcher. It was a big job with a very long job description, and I doubted whether I’d even get an interview. But I did. In fact, they ended up offering me a more senior role as an Analyst. In large part this was thanks to the experience I’d gained on that voluntary placement with Hampshire Constabulary.

I’m now working as a Strategic Intelligence Analyst with the Met. I examine themes, patterns and trends in crime across different datasets and sources of intelligence to inform and guide the senior leadership. This often directly informs policing policy and practice, helping to make Greater London a safer place to live, all through evidence-based analysis. It’s a hugely interesting area of work, with a fascinating tradecraft and origins steeped in mystery. I love it. It’s rewarding and engaging. I’ve also just started studying for a Master’s in Global Security and I’m excited to see where this takes me.

My rather unconventional route has shown me that ultimately, my passion lies in public service and working to build resilience across the country. I can’t wait to see how my career develops. So many of us will take unusual paths through our lives, and I feel that I am no exception. It’s been a wonderfully wild ride so far and I hope it stays interesting! If I could tell my College-self anything it would be to trust the process – you’ll know it when the right thing comes along.

Alexander Kounoupias
Reigate College: 2014-2016
Higher education: BSc Criminology & Forensic Studies, University of Portsmouth and now studying for an MA Global Security Studies, King’s College London
Currently: Strategic Intelligence Analyst, Metropolitan Police Service