Jump Into Politics!
By Maha M
Why Politics?
Politics affects every aspect of our lives, from the local level to the international stage. Gaining experience in this field not only enhances your understanding of governmental processes but also develops critical skills like public speaking, research, and analytical thinking.
What YOU Can Do!
Intern with an MP or a local councillor - Reaching out to your local MP or councillor is a great way to get to grips with the ins and outs of a career in politics. You could email them asking to shadow their day-to-day activities, and this may give you the opportunity to attend meetings with them and assist with their research.
Campaigning - Participating in grassroots campaigns allows you to learn how to engage with the public and understand the mechanics of electioneering. You don’t have to be an experienced campaigner to take part in a rally or campaign near you this summer, and if you can’t find any in your local area, you could start one yourself!
Think Tanks and NGOs - Working with organisations that can directly or indirectly influence policy will provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at policy development and advocacy—and contrary to popular belief, it’s not that hard to get involved!
Securing a Placement
Research - It is extremely important to identify local MPs, councillors, campaigns, and political organisations that align with your interests in order to gain successful work experience this summer. Make sure you have a clear idea of how you’re going to approach your MP once you have identified them, ensure that you are aware of what exactly you will be campaigning for, and thoroughly check the websites of NGOs and think tanks to get to grips with what they stand for.
Reaching out - Being able to craft a compelling email or letter to send to a local MP or to a political organisation will allow you to articulately express your interest and what you hope to gain from your experience. It might be helpful to have a professional email template for when you want to get in touch with a person or an NGO for work experience, which you can hone over time.
Network - Attending local political events, meetings, or online forums in order to connect with potential mentors and peers is extremely helpful for gaining work experience this summer. Creating a LinkedIn account, if you haven’t done so yet, is very helpful for this. It's a good idea to start building connections now, as it opens numerous doors for future opportunities.
Top Tips!
Be Proactive - Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you: send emails, build a LinkedIn profile, connect with peers, and enhance your network. This will allow opportunities to come your way!
Stay Informed - Keep up to date with current events and understand how nationwide or even international politics may be impacting your local community.
Reflection - Following a placement, try to consolidate what you have learnt and reflect on how it has helped you develop a skill-set for a degree or career in politics. This will help with prospective university interviews and writing your personal statement.
