When I thought forward to the summer between my second and final year of university, I wanted it to be filled with a variety of experiences that would enrich my knowledge of the world and myself thoroughly. I hoped that the journeys I decided to undertake would provide me with a clearer image of what I might want to do in the future, and the confidence to be ambitious enough to pursue them.
After Pembroke International Programmes gave me the opportunity to undertake a teaching internship and travel for a month in Japan, it became evident that the LEAP Programme could provide me with the invaluable financial support I needed to go to London and intern in the office of Paul Waugh MP in Westminster, and then also in his local constituency office closer to home. After attending LEAP Programme sessions and talks across my second year and spending almost a month travelling around Japan and teaching at a primary school, high school, and university there, I had developed the confidence to go into professional workspaces with confidence and conviction.
My work in Westminster was the second of two internships of the year, with the first being a short placement in London with the historical architectural conservation organisation, The Georgian Group. My main desire for undertaking an internship in Westminster was to access the often-mysterious world of politics and to finally see if it is a place I could seriously think about regarding my future. The LEAP Programme Internship Grant made this possible for me as I was able to get accommodation, travel, and food expenses covered for my placement.
I enjoyed my time interning more than I expected I ever would as I was lucky to realise that the team working in both Westminster and local constituency MP offices were highly supportive and helpful to me. My time in Westminster consisted of countless opportunities: I was able to attend the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in which the head of the BBC was questioned. I also attended Prime Minister’s Questions and other debates with the team and discussed policy implications afterwards.
My time at Westminster was characterised by being introduced to the bustling world of governmental politics. Paul Waugh MP provided me with a detailed tour of the entire Palace of Westminster, its library, and Portcullis House. It was incredibly interesting to see all of the work and duties he carried out behind the scenes and also shadow his Parliamentary Assistant. I received chances to engage in discussions about governmental policy and the ways in which things might be approached and improved, including foreign affairs.
Whilst working at the local constituency office I had the chance to work as part of an integrated team of over seven people and see how local issues and queries are answered and dealt with. I spent time assisting with research into the local area and which issues are most prominent for residents. I also looked into upcoming community events to facilitate visits from the team to address key issues people there may have. Alongside this research I also engaged in leafletting with the team and gained insight into the world of political campaigning. Furthermore, I designed social media posts for the team to facilitate their roles in an ever-changing technological political world and climate.
Towards the end of my internship, I had the chance to attend some community visits with Paul Waugh MP. One such visit I attended included an organisation that facilitates apprenticeships to people from the local area and chatted to them about their experiences. I found this experience highly exciting as I was able to gain hands on experience in discussions about how the government may better experiences for young people especially. Some of the many things we discussed centred around transport costs for young people in education and work, access to driving tests and their long waiting times, pathways in post-16 and post-18 education including apprenticeships, and how to better reduce stigma surrounding certain career pathways. I also accompanied the team to look at the work from a local art mural festival, which included murals painted by local artists focusing on local prides and historical events.
By providing me with a grant for my time in London, the LEAP Programme allowed me to gain a unique experience at the centre of British Government. Beforehand, I had known little of the actual work undertaken in an MPs office and this internship opened my eyes to the work of Caseworkers and Parliamentary Assistants especially. I experienced first-hand what it is like to work at Westminster and have been inspired to consider this path as I enter my final year of university and look more seriously towards what the future will contain.
