ABSTRACT
In these reflections on a long career in the civil service, Andrew McCully identifies the important skills developed through a Classics degree which influenced learning and progression in his career. The most important elements were the interdisciplinary nature of the degree; the skills of martialling evidence, developing an argument and the precise and clear expression of a case; and the skills of learning to research, absorb and understand a wide range of issues, often under intense time pressures. He argues that these skills can be equally well developed in other humanities subjects, but the knowledge basis of Classics is equally valid and important. Ultimately it was the pleasure of learning Classics which motivated him, and it is that readiness to learn which underpins skills development.
