Chris Thomson (MA Sociology, 2005) is the Head of Scottish Government, USA.

During a trip to America for our Burns events, we caught up with Chris in his office, located within the British Embassy in Washington, DC. In this advice packed episode, we discuss the path that led him from 'scared 17-year-old' to international diplomat, and the value he takes from his work as civil servant. Chris shares his tips for building confidence, the soft skills that are invaluable in diplomacy, and the impact studying sociology has had on his career to date.