Politics in Practice: I interned in Public Affairs and an MP's office

Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience in both public affairs and parliamentary work through a short internship with Cogitamus in September 2025 and work experience in MP Preet Gill’s constituency office in March 2026.

I found both opportunities independently rather than through traditional routes. For the Cogitamus internship, I used the Public Affairs Resource Centre to research companies and sent personalised emails with my CV to organisations that interested me. Whilst for my work experience with Preet Gill MP, I contacted her constituency office directly. One of the biggest things I learnt from this process is that reaching out proactively really can pay off, especially with smaller organisations, as they are often more willing to respond personally and offer meaningful experience.

During my time at Cogitamus, I supported Transport for Wales’ Pontypool to Mamhilad Active Travel Scheme through stakeholder mapping, engagement with politicians, and initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation in public consultations. I also produced political analysis on parliamentary debates, PMQs, and select committee hearings to identify opportunities relevant to Cogitamus’ clients. The role gave me a much better understanding of how stakeholder engagement works in practice and improved my confidence in analysing political developments.

My experience in Preet Gill MP’s office gave me a different perspective on politics at a constituency level. I managed casework, contributed to a report on “Pride and Place”, designed ward demographic infographics using Canva, and maintained logs for media coverage, social media assets, and parliamentary speeches. It was interesting to see the variety of issues MP’s cover, from supporting individual constituents to balancing local issues with wider political priorities.

Both experiences linked closely to my Politics and International Relations degree, particularly my Parliamentary Studies modules. While my degree has given me the analytical skills to understand debates, policy issues, and political communication, these work experiences were invaluable as they showed me how those processes operate in practice. I feel these experiences will really help me when it comes to graduate jobs because they’ve given me practical insight into the political sector and helped me build confidence working in professional environments. Speaking to people already working in politics and public affairs also gave me valuable advice and also reassured me that there isn’t only one “correct” route into the industry.

My biggest advice to students interested in a similar path would be not to be afraid of contacting organisations directly. Smaller companies and local offices can often provide really valuable hands-on experience, and being proactive genuinely makes a difference. It’s also important not to feel discouraged if you don’t secure opportunities through the conventional route straight away as there are so many alternative ways to gain experience, develop skills, and build connections.