Since graduating from the University of Exeter four years ago, alumnus Charlie Hall (Politics, 2021) has been adding an eclectic mix to his CV. In these years he’s worked at Devon County Council in democratic services, headed to Parliament to work in the Commons for two-and-a-half years, and now works as a Public Affairs Officer for the British Beer & Pub Association. We caught up with him to find out more about his career, and what life has been like post-graduation.
The latter half of Charlie’s studies at Exeter took place with the background of the Covid-19 pandemic and whilst this created its own challenges, he recalls that this actually formed the basis of one of his favourite memories of Exeter. Charlie undertook his dissertation on the correlation between pandemic infection rates and the prevalence of misinformation around prevention. He remembers this academic experience fondly sharing, “Being given the expert guidance and support to research something so topical that was impacting our studies was a great experience, and exactly what university should be all about.”
Once exams and studies were concluded there were of course, the post-exam trips to the Imperial as well – little did Charlie know all this would lead to him going into public affairs for pubs!
Flash forward four years, and Charlie currently works as a Public Affairs Officer for the British Beer & Pub Association, a role full of variety and lead by the sense of purpose cultivated during his degree at Exeter.
One moment he’s drafting a parliamentary question or briefing a minister, and the next he’s working with local businesses to make sure their voices are heard in national debates. For Charlie, being able to connect the dots between real-world impact and public policy – and do it for an industry that’s as beloved as pubs – is incredibly fulfilling.
This is also a drive that was nurtured during his Exeter days as Charlie says his time here “gave me the research and analytical skills I rely on daily, but more than that, it encouraged me to think critically and compassionately about the world. The balance of academic rigour and a supportive, collegiate atmosphere prepared me well for the realities of working in high-pressure political and policy environments.”
All of Charlie’s recent work roles have involved a degree of public service. So, we wondered did anything attract him to that type of work?
He shares, “I’ve always believed that politics should be about making people’s lives better – whether that’s by changing laws, improving local services, or amplifying unheard voices. Even when working outside of Parliament, I’ve gravitated towards roles that involve helping others, solving problems, and creating systems that work more fairly. Public service, to me, is about impact with integrity.”
In addition to giving back as part of his career Charlie has also recently volunteered his time as part of Exeter’s Career Mentor Scheme which is one of the largest and most successful employability schemes in the UK. Since 2008, the scheme has supported thousands of students and graduates to make more informed choices about their careers and boost their confidence.
Having had such a positive university experience Charlie explains he was keen to give back and provide graduates with the insight he’s gained over his career so far. Talking about the decision to share his time he said, “Politics and public affairs are a great line of work; I want to make sure other people have access to it and understand it in detail so they can have the best start. It’s been rewarding to support others who are finding their feet and to help demystify an industry that can feel quite closed off from the outside.”
Having had such a positive university experience Charlie explains he was keen to give back and provide graduates with the insight he’s gained over his career so far.
Talking about the decision to share his time he said, “Politics and public affairs are a great line of work; I want to make sure other people have access to it and understand it in detail so they can have the best start. It’s been rewarding to support others who are finding their feet and to help demystify an industry that can feel quite closed off from the outside.”
So, if you’re a final year student thinking about your own hopes for the future what does Charlie advise? He shares, “Don’t panic if you don’t have it all figured out. Very few people do. Focus on following what genuinely interests you, say yes to opportunities that stretch you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Also – don’t underestimate the power of a well-written LinkedIn message or a polite coffee request. Most people want to help; they just need to be asked.
“University is about more than the degree – it’s about the friendships, the experience, the positives and the negatives you learn from. Don’t worry if your path isn’t linear. Mine certainly wasn’t. But if you stay curious, stay kind, and say yes more than you say no, you’ll find your way.
Thinking about his future, Charlie intends to keep building a career that bridges public policy and real-world outcomes – ideally helping shape reforms that are rooted in evidence and driven by empathy. Longer-term, he’d love to support the next generation of political communicators and advocates, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Finally, given his job, we wanted to know what Charlie’s favourite kind of pub is to spend time in, and what is he drinking whilst he’s there. He said for him, “It has to be a proper local with a beer garden, board games, and a bit of life to it. Bonus points if there’s a quiz night involved. I’m usually drinking a lager… and still, very rarely, a VK.”
If you have a story to share about your career since graduating from the University of Exeter, then we would love to hear from you! Our DMs are always open on socials (Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook), or you can email us at alumni@exeter.ac.uk.