w4mp | guides | internships

This page has been written primarily to help MPs’ offices work out if they need an intern and how to get one. If, however, you want some work experience with an MP, these are the things you should think about:

Having got this information together, write to those MPs for whom you would like to work. If you are not sure which MPs you might want to work for, do some research on individual MPs at this website: www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm. The postal address is: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA; tel. no. 020 7219 3000. You are probably best advised to contact your local MP first as s/he may be better disposed to employing you. Alternatively, check the job section on this site regularly and apply for the internships that are posted there from time to time. Don’t contact the agencies below as they provide placements for specific universities and programmes and do not generally place individuals who approach them.

If you are considering getting the help of an intern there are some things you should consider…

You never really know the abilities and initiative an intern has until they start working for you. Whatever tasks you give an intern, try to make sure you are not giving them things to do that will increase your workload or that of your colleagues. You can train interns to perform a number of routine tasks, allowing them to manage their own workload.

If interns are going to deal with constituency casework, or other kinds of personal information, then Members should ask them to sign an agreement which authorises them to handle personal information on the Member's behalf. Otherwise, because they are not employees, they will not have the legal authority. There's a sample agreement on p32 of the Data Protection booklet, which is now on the public parliament website. (Advice for Members and their staff: Data Protection Act 1998. Personal Information about constituents and others.) The website address is www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/advice-for-members-offices.pdf and here's a copy of the confidentiality agreement:

Try to make the experience as fulfilling as possible for an intern. This enhances the reputation of your office. Here are some suggestions of things you can do.

We asked the Serjeant at Arms Department for clarification about numbers of interns. Here is their guidance (revised 2 March 2006):

“No Member is entitled to Palace of Westminster photo-identity passes for more than three individual members of their personal staff. A total of 150 passes in any calendar year, and up to 50 at any one time may be issued to Members temporary research assistants from overseas whose period of employment is expected to be less than four months and who are sponsored by an approved institution of higher education. Members are permitted to have one temporary overseas student working for them at a time (but they must use one of their three allocated passes mentioned above) to ensure that as many Members as possible are able to take advantage of this opportunity. This does not affect the right of Members to employ foreign nationals as secretaries, or as research assistants, on a longer-term basis.”

Here are some suggestions of places to start looking; this is by no means a comprehensive list. You will need to satisfy yourself that the conditions of internships arranged with these organisations are suitable for your situation.

If you have other useful information on this topic please tell us, using the website’s Feedback Form.

Educational Programmes Abroad Executive Office

"Work in an exciting and challenging internship in the field of your choice that helps you gain self confidence, new skills, valuable work experience, and an outstanding résumé. Study academic courses taught at local universities that broaden your perspective and nurture your personal growth. Upon successful completion you may earn 4 credits per course and 8 credits for the internship. Explore new ways of thinking and living that deepen your knowledge and understanding of different cultures as well as international, political, and economic issues."

www.epa-internships.org

Boston University – London Placements

"Each semester, Boston University British Programmes offers a variety of academic options, striving to provide students with challenging courses, stimulating professional internships and rich cultural experiences."

www.bu-london.co.uk/programmes

London School of Economics

"Since 1998 LSE has matched postgraduate students with Parliamentarians for part time internships whilst they study. Internships usually take place during term time from October to March every year and are open to students from all disciplines including departments such as Law, International Relations, Economics, Development Studies, the European Institute and, of course, the Government department.

"To request an LSE intern please visit the website and complete a simple form by clicking here.

"Once you have submitted this form a manageable number of CVs will be sent to you and from these candidates you can select those you would like to interview and then host. Throughout the internship you and your intern will benefit from the support of the LSE Internships Coordinator, should you require it.

"For more information about LSE Internships please visit our website at Information for organisations or contact me using the contact Sharon Bray – 020 7852 3663 or s.bray@lse.ac.uk."

www.lse.ac.uk/internships

CAPA International Education

"CAPA International Education offers quality, affordable study abroad programs, consisting of academic classes and internships. Our mission has remained unchanged since our start: to provide learning abroad opportunities which genuinely educate students about the people and culture in which they are learning in a holistic educational environment."

www.capa.org/

Westminster Hull Internship Programme (WHIP)

"In an increasingly crowded graduate marketplace, having a good degree is not enough. Today’s employers not only expect their graduate entrants to exhibit a wide range of interpersonal and transferable skills, but also to have experience in the workplace. The Department of Politics and International Studies offers a route through which students can obtain this vital experience. We offer a year long placement in Westminster on the four year course British Politics and Legislative Studies (BPLS). In addition, we offer an exciting One semester internship for all our Single Honours undergraduates. This one semester scheme covers internship at Westminster or with an MEP in Brussels (at the European Parliament). It is a unique opportunity to get a top quality academic education in politics alongside invaluable practical experience."

www.hull.ac.uk/pas/undergraduate/placements/index.html

KAPLAN Aspect

"Our Internship programs combine a 4 week English course with a professional internship placement in an area of your interest. Full-time internship placements are available in Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and Ireland. Part-time internship placements are offered at our English schools in the United States. We are able to offer a wide range of professional internship placements to enable you to gain work experience in an English speaking workplace and to help you add an international dimension to your CV."

www.kaplaninternational.com/courses/professional/internship-placements.aspx

Demos:

"Demos runs an internship programme that seeks to provide successful candidates with the invaluable experience of working in an exciting and challenging think tank environment. Interns will have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of Demos' activities. Demos offers several internship programmes: Research; Media/Communications; Adio/Visual; Work Experience."

www.demos.co.uk/jobs_and_internships

Social Market Foundation (SMF):

"The SMF offers a programme of internships to highly motivated individuals seeking work experience in a public policy environment. Internships at the SMF are unpaid positions (travel expenses only), normally lasting for between six weeks and three months, and would be best suited for those who have just completed university or post-graduate studies, though we do consider applications from all backgrounds. We aim to provide our interns with a balanced work experience during their time at the SMF, and you will normally be involved in at least one major project, in addition to providing research assistance to our regular researchers and assisting in general think tank administrative duties."

http://www.smf.co.uk/job-opportunities-and-internships.html

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR):

"ippr offers internship opportunities throughout the year. We are committed to providing a stimulating work experience for people interested in social and political issues. Interns are a valued part of the organisation and as far as possible are given a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities including a combination of research and administrative tasks. We seek to ensure our internships are open to a wide range of candidates and as part of our commitment to encourage diversity, all interns will be paid, those based in our London office will be paid the London living wage. Those in the ippr north office will be paid the Newcastle equivalent. We also occasionally offer internships in the ippr External Affairs Team. These internships can involve helping to organise ippr events (anything from internal seminars to events at party conferences), assisting in the press office and marketing."

http://ippr.nvisage.uk.com/jobsandinternships/?id=83

In May 2012 the Commons Library revised a Standard Note (SN00697) on the "Minimum Wage: Volunteers". This includes a section on Internships.

Further help may be available from the National Minimum Wage Helpline on 0845 6000 678.

We've done our best to provide reliable up-to-date information here. If you spot any mistakes of know of useful additions please let us know, using the website’s Feedback Form.

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