Writing Your Way Forward as a Subject Matter Expert

Writing Your Way Forward as a Subject Matter Expert

Writing is a medium that scales your voice. Unlike delivering a single presentation or mentoring colleagues one-on-one, writing allows you to reach an audience far beyond your immediate circle. For professionals with specialized knowledge—like those who have worked in intelligence or drug enforcement—there’s a public appetite for behind-the-scenes insights and informed analysis. Writing can help build authority, expand influence, and create opportunities such as consulting gigs, speaking engagements, media interviews, or book deals.

Step 1: Identify Your Niche

The first step in transitioning to a writing career is identifying your niche. Your background as an Intelligence Research Specialist at the DEA gives you a treasure trove of specialized knowledge, but it’s important to define a specific focus that resonates with your intended audience. Topics could include emerging trends in global drug trafficking networks, the role of technology in counter-narcotics, or ethical challenges in intelligence work. Specificity is key to attracting a more engaged audience.

Step 2: Choose the Right Medium

Once you’ve identified your niche, the next step is deciding how to share your expertise. Blogging, books, articles for established publications, and social media are all viable options. For example, blogging on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium allows you to build a portfolio, while books can cement your authority. Articles in respected publications or social media posts can help you reach broader or targeted audiences.

Step 3: Build Credibility

To position yourself as a thought leader, credibility is non-negotiable. Leverage your professional background, cite reliable sources, and engage in dialogue with your audience. Highlight your experience at the DEA, support your arguments with data, and respond thoughtfully to feedback to build trust and professionalism.

Step 4: Market Yourself as a Thought Leader

Writing is just the beginning. To establish yourself as a subject matter expert, actively market your work. Share your articles with your network, host webinars, collaborate with other experts, and use social proof to highlight endorsements or citations of your work.

Step 5: Monetize Your Expertise

Once you’ve built a reputation, opportunities to monetize your expertise will follow. Consulting, public speaking, content creation, and media appearances are ways to turn your writing into income. Organizations may hire you to advise on drug policy or intelligence gathering, while conferences and media outlets seek expert insights.

For professionals navigating career transitions, writing offers a unique and rewarding way to move forward. By sharing your expertise, you can establish yourself as a subject matter expert, expand your influence, and unlock new opportunities. Your experiences and knowledge represent a wellspring of value—so start writing and write your way forward into the next chapter of your career.

Intelligence Analyst (Private Sector)

Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, Amazon, or major financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase

  • Responsibilities

    • Analyze data to identify emerging threats, patterns, or risks relevant to corporate security or global operations.

    • Develop actionable intelligence reports to guide decision-making for industries like financial services, technology, or energy.

    • Collaborate with security teams to mitigate risks such as cyber threats, fraud, or geopolitical instability.

  • Unique Skillset

    • Experience with intelligence methodologies (e.g., OSINT, SIGINT), tools like Palantir, and a deep understanding of global security issues.

Policy Analyst (Drug Policy or Criminal Justice)

RAND Corporation, Brookings Institution, Pew Research Center, or the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

  • Responsibilities

    • Assess the effectiveness of drug enforcement policies and propose evidence-based reforms.

    • Research and draft reports on topics such as synthetic opioid trafficking or the socioeconomic impacts of drug policies.

    • Collaborate with think tanks, government agencies, or advocacy groups to influence public policy.

  • Unique Skillset

    • Expertise in counter-narcotics, data analysis, and communicating complex policy ideas to non-expert audiences.

Risk Management Consultant (Corporate or Nonprofit)

Control Risks, McKinsey & Company, BAE Systems, or NGOs operating in volatile regions

  • Responsibilities

    • Provide strategic advice on mitigating geopolitical, operational, or reputational risks.

    • Utilize intelligence analysis techniques to assess potential threats to supply chains, investments, or personnel.

    • Develop risk frameworks tailored to industries like logistics, tech, or global development.

  • Unique Skillset

    • Experience applying government intelligence tools in private sector contexts and familiarity with risk modeling software.

Counter-Narcotics Specialist (International Organizations)

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Interpol, or USAID

  • Responsibilities

    • Support global initiatives to combat drug trafficking through intelligence-sharing and capacity-building programs.

    • Advise governments or international bodies on strategies to disrupt transnational drug networks.

    • Track trends in synthetic drugs and propose policy or operational responses.

  • Unique Skillset

    • Deep understanding of drug trafficking routes, experience in cross-border collaboration, and multilingual skills are often valued.

Freelance Subject Matter Expert (Writing and Consulting)

Media platforms like Foreign Policy or The Atlantic, corporate clients seeking intelligence expertise, or academic institutions

  • Responsibilities

    • Write articles, white papers, or books on topics such as intelligence analysis, drug enforcement, or global security.

    • Provide expert commentary for media outlets or contribute to policy reports for think tanks.

    • Offer training or workshops on applying intelligence methodologies to business, law enforcement, or policy.

  • Unique Skillset

    • Ability to translate specialized knowledge into accessible content while maintaining credibility and rigor.