After Cambridge, Bryan was again uncertain what to do, but was steered in the direction of taking the examinations for the Open Competition for the Civil Service. As he liked to tell it, he passed just high enough to be offered the last post going, a student-interpretership in the China branch of the Consular Service.
Following Cambridge, Bryan was uncertain about his future, but was advised to take the Civil Service exams.  He managed to pass with sufficient marks to land the final spot, a student interpreter role within the Consular Service's China branch.