H4MoD Alumni Spotlight: Anna Crossland’s Transformation from Student to MoD Analyst and Problem Sponsor

Dive into the inspiring journey of Anna Crossland, who navigated her way from being a civilian student at King's College London to a Defence Analyst in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) – a journey where the Hacking for MoD (H4MoD) course served as a pivotal turning point.

Back in spring 2022, Anna, then a student in the Department of War Studies, discovered a gateway into the world of defence when she enrolled in the H4MoD course. It was an experience that not only reshaped her perspective but also set the stage for her successful career within the MoD.

Reflecting on the transformational impact of H4MoD, Anna expressed:

“The defence sector, being one of the best employers in government, has so much to offer. H4MoD made me cognisant of that fact and broadened my horizons to areas of defence, which I otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to as a civilian student.”

Post her studies, Anna stepped into the professional arena as an Air Warfare Analyst in the defence sector. She confidently asserts:

“I owe my career breakthrough to H4MoD. The role demanded proficiency in Lean Startup Methodology, which, thanks to the H4MoD course, I had extensively mastered.”

As she charted her career path further, Anna embraced the role of an Analyst in the MoD's Security, Policy, and Operations team. It was here that she effectively applied the diverse skills that H4MoD had honed in her, particularly in managing stakeholders across sectors. In Anna's words:

“The opportunity to interact and communicate with stakeholders across different sectors was invaluable. You don’t often get that at university, so it was immensely beneficial to practise these skills before starting my career.”

During her tenure, Anna identified a persistent issue that had been plaguing her team: the low uptake of the Anthrax vaccine among military personnel. Keen to find a solution, she submitted this problem to H4MoD. This issue was then matched to Sandhurst, which was piloting a condensed version of H4MoD for their University Officer Training Cadets (UOTCs) over the summer.

Anna was enthusiastic about the potential of fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from the cadets, stating:

“H4MoD opens up a unique opportunity for the Security Directorate as it infuses a different way of thinking. Plus, it exposes the next generation of military officers to the challenges we’re dealing with.”

Anna's narrative from a H4MoD student to a MoD Defence Analyst paints a vivid picture of how H4MoD can elevate careers within the defence sector. This course continues to inspire and empower the upcoming generation to rally around the common problems that affect us all, and channel their knowledge to foster change.

Inspired by Anna's journey? Ready to make a difference and kick-start your mission-driven career? Dive into the world of H4MoD and get equipped to solve complex problems through innovative and experiential learning. Start making a difference, today.