Internships
Hansard Society Internships
The Hansard Society has a long tradition of supporting interns in beginning or further developing their political careers. Many that have worked for us have gone on to distinguished careers in a variety of sectors and organisations including the civil service and Parliament, public affairs consultancies, NGOs and charities, the media and some have attained permanent positions within the Hansard Society. We really appreciate their immense efforts and hard work over the years and attempt to welcome all interns in the same way as any other member of staff. We feel we are able to provide a spring board into a political career through our broad network of contacts and wealth of experience of the political system.
We have a number of internship opportunities available throughout the year working with different programmes and issue areas - if there are current opportunities they will be listed on www.w4mp.org.
We hope to give our interns as wide an experience of our area of work as possible and some new challenges. If you don't believe us why not read some testimonies below.
What you can expect as a Hansard Society intern....
Citizenship Education
An intern in the Citizenship Education department's primary role is to assist in the running of a range of innovative political literacy projects for schools. These projects include The Y Vote Mock Elections and HeadsUp. Other duties include processing orders for citizenship resources, managing databases and research for HeadsUp debates. Attending and supporting other staff at events and external meetings may also be required. Those wanting to work in educational policy and training or with young people would benefit from this type of internship.
Communications and Events
As an intern in the communications department your work will be divided amongst fundraising, events and communications work. Work is widely varied and will allow you to gain an understanding of the breadth of work that the Hansard Society undertakes. You will attend Hansard Society events at the Houses of Parliament, produce daily round-ups of news articles for all the members of staff and edit material for the website, amongst many other things. Interning in the Communications department at the Hansard Society will give valuable experience to those wishing to pursue a career in public affairs, events planning or fundraising.
Parliament & Government
Interns with the Parliament & Government Programme will involve researching background materials for current and prospective projects, and drafting written materials ranging from bullet-point summaries to articles. Other work may include researching biographies for speakers or contributors to publications and monitoring the work of Parliament. This internship would suit those wishing to pursue a career in research, policy or public affairs.
My Experience of the Hansard Society....
Sherri Whitehead - Parliament & Government Intern 2010
The time I spent at the Hansard Society was intellectually rewarding and truly enjoyable. I applied for the internship with the Parliament and Government Progamme so that I could learn more about the institutions and processes of the UK parliament and gain practical experience in research, and that is exactly what happened. I was given the opportunity to research on a wide range of topics and employ a number of research skills. The staff at the Hansard Society were very friendly. I was a co-worker, not just an intern. My efforts were positively acknowledged and the guidance and support provided by the P&G team will forever be appreciated by me. I highly recommend the internship positions at the Hansard Society to anyone that wants to gain knowledge or experience in non-partisan politics.
Katie Russell - Communications and Events Intern 2009
My experience with the Hansard Society has been fantasitc. Nowhere will you find a warmer welcome as an intern. My role has been wide and varied, ranging from a daily media monitor, drafting press releases, producing a monthly newsletter to organising seminars, lectures and receptions. This is brilliant opportunity if you want to emerse yourself in the political, get a grip of the political media landscape and of course know the names faces to watch in 2010! The great thing about working for the Comms team is that you get an overview of each and every programme, touching on all that is done by the society including research publications, youth projects and international visits.
An internship with the Hansard Society is perfect for those looking for a varied and stimulating political experience. Furthermore, there is life after the internship...support, encouragement and advice are there on tap to help you take the next step on your chosen career path.
Daniel Baldwin - eDemocracy Intern 2009
On my first day, I was made to feel like I would play a real part in the work being done. During the weeks to follow, this was borne out and having left, I miss being there! It was a collaborative and stimulating environment to be in, in most part because of how involved I became in a short space of time and how participatory the dynamic of the eDemocracy team is. All this made the time I spent there useful, interesting and worthwhile.
Adrian de Mello - Communications and Events Intern 2008
I had a very enjoyable time at the Hansard Society. Working as a communications intern here you are thrown in at the deep end, really finding out how an organisation like the Hansard Society is run. My work varied widely, from considering invitees for different conferences to browsing through the newspapers everyday to compile a list of the day's most relevant stories.
I was also lucky enough to be given my own project to work on. I met with some academics who were hoping to work with the Hansard Society to kickstart their project Our Democratic Heritage (an attempt to re-engage people to the political process by re-igniting their interest in their democratic past). Following a couple of trips to the British Library and the LSE library, and drawing from suggestions from people throughout the office, I researched into and compiled a list of sites of ‘democratic significance'. I put these onto a database before placing them onto an interactive map. I also developed a website for the project which I hope the next intern will continue to develop where required -- and hope that the Hansard Society will continue to promote the project as it grows in strength over the next few years.
I was made to feel very welcome here - they are a very friendly bunch and from the first day everyone was warm and welcoming. It was both fulfilling and interesting, I learned a great deal in a short time, and would recommend that anyone with an enthusiasm for politics and the political process apply.
Karishma Desai - eDemocracy Intern 2008
I have had a thoroughly enjoyable three months at the Hansard Society. I was given a substantial project to work on during my time in the e-Democracy team. Being given my own project made me feel that I was part of the team as well as that I was actually undertaking work of some importance. It was fascinating to see the large amount of thorough research that was needed for a particular project. By the end I had a very good understanding of the subject matter as well as having discovered the different and most efficient ways of undertaking research. I also was taught how to use the research computer programme, Invivo, where I coded the material I had researched to ascertain the main themes of the area.
There were also always Hansard Society events to attend. I have been to a drinks reception at the House of Lords where I got to meet a number of Lords and Baronesses and their staff. I attended a debate on ePetitions in Westminster and have also been invited to the Hansard Society Reception in the House of Commons. For an internship where you are able to thoroughly develop your research skills on very topical political issues in a friendly and professional environment, the Hansard Society is an excellent choice
Clare Helm - Citizenship Education and Parliament & Government Intern 2007
My internship experience with the Hansard Society has been nothing but enjoyable. I have benefited from having my time split between two programmes, as this has helped me to gain a greater insight into the work of the Society. The staff have made every effort to ensure my internship has been engaging and allowed me to expand the work in my own areas of interest. Being able to attend seminars and a reception at the Speaker's House were highlights of my internship.
My enthusiasm for research has grown through this experience and I think an internship with the Hansard Society would be of great value to anyone who is interested in, and keen to work around, politics.
Will Hoyles - Communications and Events Intern 2007
Interning at the Hansard Society has been a completely different experience to other internships. I was immediately treated as part of the team and it was obvious that while I was here I would be thought of as a full member of staff. At first this was quite intimidating and I had a very steep learning curve but I think I've gained more from the experience, and contributed a lot more, as a result. On my first day I went to a drinks reception with the Speaker of the House of Commons and I've since spent time at seminars attended by cabinet ministers and written copy for important advertising materials.
Everyone has been incredibly supportive and made sure that I've got what I wanted out my time at the Hansard Society, and I have been given a lot of help in trying to find paid employment when I leave, including arranging meetings with senior people at organisations I'd like to work for. I'd recommend interning at the Hansard Society to anyone who wants to gain a broad knowledge about the way political organisations work.
Jenny Stevens - Parliament & Government Intern 2007
Working as an Intern within the Parliament and Government team at the Hansard society has been an exciting, illuminating, and thoroughly enjoyable experience. I was immediately made to feel part of the team, and treated less as an intern, but as a permanent member of staff. The work was engaging, challenging, and worthwhile. I felt that my knowledge and skills were encouraged, enabling me to develop a good understanding of Parliament and the political environment.
The Hansard Society's Parliament and Government team were incredibly supportive of all aspects of my work, and I was given help and support with job applications and careers advice in a professional environment. I would highly recommend an internship to anyone serious about working in a political environment, who wants to work for an excellent organisation and a wonderful team.