Inside my political internship: my experience in an MP's Office

My internship in the office of Preet Gill was one of the most valuable professional experiences I’ve had so far, not only because it gave me direct insight into political work, but because it helped me better understand what I want from my future career.

Unlike many internships that are found through formal schemes, I actually sourced this opportunity myself. I emailed the office directly to express my interest, and after that, I was sent an application form to complete. Thankfully, I was successful, which taught me an important lesson early on: sometimes the best opportunities come from taking initiative rather than waiting for them to appear.

Day-to-day, the role involved a mixture of administrative work and constituent support. I answered phone calls, helped with office organisation, and got to see firsthand how much work goes on behind the scenes in an MP’s office to support local people. I also had the opportunity to go door-knocking with Preet Gill, which gave me a completely different perspective on political work. One of the biggest responsibilities I took on was helping facilitate the handover between one caseworker and another. This meant working through and closing a large number of active cases to ensure a smooth transition, which was a huge task but also one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. It gave me real responsibility and showed me that even as an intern, your contribution can make a meaningful difference.

As a Politics and International Relations student, this internship felt particularly relevant to my degree. In lectures, we often discuss governance and public policy in theory, but being in an MP’s office showed me what those concepts look like in practice. Politics can sometimes feel abstract in academia, but this experience grounded it in real-world issues affecting actual people. It also reinforced the importance of communication, organisation, and problem-solving – skills that my degree has helped me develop, but which became much more tangible in a professional setting.

One of the most useful outcomes of this internship was the clarity it gave me about my future. I now have a valuable professional connection within the political sphere and know that I would be welcomed back, which is incredibly reassuring as I think about life after graduation. Just as importantly, I learned the value of taking initiative and creating opportunities for yourself - whether that was securing the internship in the first place by reaching out directly or making a meaningful role for myself once I was there by taking on responsibility where I could.

This experience has also prepared me well for my upcoming summer marketing internship with Sky. While the industries are different, many of the core skills transfer directly – communication, teamwork, adaptability, and working under pressure. I’m especially excited to explore a more commercial and creative environment, and I think my experience in a fast-paced parliamentary office has given me a strong foundation to build on.

My advice to students interested in a similar path would be simple: don’t be afraid to be proactive. Not every opportunity is advertised, and sometimes reaching out directly can open unexpected doors. Also, say yes to responsibility when it comes your way - you’ll learn far more by getting stuck in than by staying in the background.