Internships

Profiles

Pavel Miller

University: University of Sheffield / London Metropolitan University

Subject: BA History & Russian / MA International Relations

April 2008 - present

Having applied left, right and centre for internships to complement my academic studies involving international affairs, obtaining the position at the Foreign Policy Centre was more than I could have ever hoped for. Working for a think-tank offers both intellectual and practical challenges. Contrary to the experiences of many who volunteer their time to do such placements, I have felt like an integral part of the operations at the FPC since day one. Working in tandem with the other members of staff, I have helped to organise events which bring together those who strive to improve public policy on the global stage, including politicians, NGOs, journalists, businesspeople and academics. The opportunity to research and prepare event proposals on topics ranging from sovereign wealth funds and health infrastructure in Africa to biodiversity provides intellectual motivation and keeps one abreast of the 'hot' topics in the world today. On my first day at the FPC, I was in the thick of things, ensuring a public seminar on corporate social responsibility ran smoothly. Being involved in these events presents the opportunity to network with experts in the field of foreign affairs and gain an understanding on the latest developments. A recent event focusing on Russia was particularly interesting for me as I was in the presence of some big name speakers!

Everyone at the Foreign Policy Centre is friendly, extremely down to earth and for them no question is a stupid question! While the internship demands hard work, dedication and intelligence, feedback on your work is always given and staff at the FPC ensure that it is a beneficial experience. Your opinions and expertise are always invited. Being in close contact with others that are passionate about international affairs and can offer insight into future opportunities is an invaluable asset of working at the 'Hoxton Hub'. Even the administrative day-to-day tasks feel important as they are critical to the development of a small think-tank.

Samir Puri

University: Warwick / King's College London

Subject: Press and Editorial Internship

December 2003 - March 2004

Spending four months at The Foreign Policy Centre proved for me a fantastic bridge between the worlds of academia and working life. Fresh from university I was delighted to find myself in an environment that directly utilised the knowledge and skills cultivated during my studies. Moreover, I found the friendly working environment to be highly welcoming for a recent graduate. Here was an opportunity to experience the debate on international affairs from a first hand perspective, and it did not disappoint,

As assistant to the Press and Editorial Director my job was to help market the FPC's intellectual output to the wider world. This involved such tasks as contributing towards press releases and articles, approaching the media for coverage, typesetting pamphlets and updating the FPC website. A fair balance was struck between intellectual and administrative tasks, but it was of course the former that I relished – a particular highlight was seeing articles that I had contributed to appear in the media. Because I was not attached to a specific research project I found myself dealing with an amazing variety of topics: one day would be spent researching the state of post-war media in Iraq, the next spent chasing an MP for their views on migration policy within the EU. Monotony was certainly never an issue.

An important feature of the FPC is that as a small organisation of under a dozen permanent staff members, the interns often play a pivotal role in its larger endeavours. Aside from my daily tasks it was not uncommon to be assigned longer-term research projects in preparation for a forthcoming pamphlet. Helping to organise seminar events was another responsibility, and one experience that immediately springs to mind was a conference on Middle Eastern democratisation featuring none other than Jack Straw! Needless to say, the calibre of individuals one is exposed to at such events proved to be another rewarding element of the experience.

Overall, my time with the FPC has provided me with both invaluable CV material and a wealth of happy memories. I would particularly recommend it to those with an active interest in the subject matters being dealt with, since there is real scope to both learn from and make your own contribution to the activities of the FPC. Most of all however, it illustrated to me that even the seemingly impenetrable world of foreign policy has its ways in, something I had never quite believed just months earlier as a student.

Knut Arne Aasen

University: University of Westminster, London

Subject: MA International Relations

Global Britons Programme Internship May - July 2002

The Foreign Policy Centre seemed at the beginning of my internship like a completely new world, a world that I actually thought I knew something about. Why? Well, the ideas of the academic world of International Relations provided a "safe haven" for a young man, like me, who was interested in the development of foreign policy, but what the Foreign Policy Centre does is to bring these ideas out, question them, try them, rethink them, and come up with new and innovative ways of using them in this multifaceted world of ours. The exciting experience of entering into such a world was one of my first discoveries when I started doing my internship, and it was an experience I am sure I will take with me in my future career. Chaotic though it seemed the first week or so, it soon turned out to be a very good environment to work in. The staff are very supportive and open to exchanging ideas with you while at the same time you are given quite a lot of responsibility from day one. There was a good balance between administrative tasks and more research-related responsibilities, where it was really up to you to find material that might be relevant to the programme. And although stuffing envelopes might sound boring and chasing speakers at the last minute might sound stressful it gave me a good introduction to the day-to-day running of an organisation, something that is definitely useful to have been through. At the same time you realise that The Foreign Policy Centre would not function the same way without the interns assistance!

The Global Britons Programme looks at questions about such themes as identity, race, devolution and immigration. The different identities that people in Britain belong to constitute a very rich "pool" of ideas and challenges, which the programme wants to take a closer look at as part of the wider debate on Britishness. Among other things I helped organise a discussion forum in Edinburgh, which was a very engaging and exciting task. A wide range of people were invited, from authors that had written about nationalism to a Scottish CEO with Pakistani origins. Meeting and having contact with such a variety of people was very enriching, and at some of these events you meet people that might be vital for your future career.

All in all I think the knowledge and experience I acquired during these three short months will prove to be extremely useful for me and I will look back on the internship as a very exciting time. And although things might seem a little frenzied sometimes you gradually grow accustomed to the atmosphere and realise how lucky you are to work in a place where future ideas and policies are made.

Morolake Akinkugbe

University: London School of Economics

Subject: BSc Government

Global Britons Programme Internship August 2001 – January 2002

Now: MSc International Relations, LSE

I had never worked in an environment quite like the Foreign Policy Centre, and certainly not on a programme quite like Global Britons! What was particularly exciting for me was that the Global Britons programme was a relatively new and innovative project that promised a lot and delivered too. I remember thinking to myself if I had made the right decision after my first day, because it seemed there was so much to be done. Thankfully I never looked back. The research was exciting, the topics engaging, and the tasks challenging. I was responsible for managing the Global Britons resource materials, monitoring press articles and Government policy and legislation on issues ranging from race, asylum and immigration to employability and regional devolution. I particularly appreciated the dynamism of the FPC, and its relevance to every day public policy and international affairs. Not only was the government White Paper on immigration due that February, but the events of September 11 added to the already frenzied atmosphere at the Centre.

I got the chance to organize regional seminars in the North and the Midlands and make contacts with NGOs, policy makers and politicians. In many ways you've got to be forward-thinking, organized, and be able to cope well under pressure. In an instant you could find yourself being PA to the Global Britons programme manager on the one hand, ordering stationery on the other, running to the print shop, stuffing envelopes, chasing an invite, or drafting an event report. An internship at the Foreign Policy Centre gives you a great deal of scope and involvement in the day-to-day running of things. You get a good balance between administrative tasks and project research, and soon begin to feel that your contributions are worthwhile. The programme brainstorm sessions were excellent and stimulating, particularly when it meant meeting and exchanging views and ideas with a well-known personality or public figure. The staff were very understanding and they combined a serious sense of work with a serious sense of fun! You are given a lot of independence and space to come up with ideas for the different projects, present and future, and to impress with those 'degree-borne' research and presentation skills. What you get from the Foreign Policy Centre is an opportunity to learn, consolidate all those hard years of schooling, make potentially vital contacts, and contribute to a new way of thinking that could become the backbone of tomorrow's foreign policy.

Kate Arthurs

University: Oxford University

Subject: PPE

April to June 2002

Now: Europe Programme Assistant, British Council Brussels

I have enjoyed my internship at the Foreign Policy Centre immensely, and though I have been here for only three months it has been an invaluable experience in so many respects. This internship has allowed me to gain practical insights into the intersecting worlds of policy, business, NGOs and the media – insights that build on the academic theory of my degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. The projects have been interesting, the people have been fantastic, and I am fortunate enough to be moving on to paid work with one of the Europe Programme's partners: the British Council in Brussels.

The Europe Programme is an exciting part of the Foreign Policy Centre to be involved with. There are always new events and publications in the pipeline, and the Programme is capable of responding quickly to new developments on the domestic, European and international policy fronts. The three main projects on which I have worked have been the Next Generation Democracy project – specifically, the launch of Simon Hix's pamphlet 'Linking National Politics to Europe'; the Future of Rural Communities project examining reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and a lecture given by Professor Joseph Nye entitled 'Can Europe rein in America? Living with the United States after September 11th'. Professor Nye's lecture was particularly satisfying to work on as I was responsible for the smooth running the event. This included finding a venue, liaising with three partners and organising a reception.

Admittedly, there is a significant amount of administrative work to be done as an intern, but being the small outfit that it is, I've felt genuinely involved in much of The Foreign Policy Centre's work. Knowing all the members of staff and other interns gives the Centre a real sense of cohesion, and is fantastic from both an intellectual and a social persective. I've made many good friends and have learnt a lot over the last three months. If you have an interest in foreign policy, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to apply.

Rebecca Lewis

University: SOAS

Subject: MA Social Anthropology

January - April 2002

Now: Assistant to the All Party Group on Third World Debt

My four months at the Foreign Policy Centre were far and away the most interesting, useful and enjoyable work experience I have done. Because interns make up a significant proportion of the workforce, you have a sense of responsibility and involvement in the Centre's work from day one, and the opportunity to contribute in a significant way to the various programmes and publications. The FPC is also an extremely young, welcoming and friendly place where the staff take a genuine interest in helping interns get the most out of their time at the Centre.

As communications intern, I was involved with the editing, design, printing and distribution of the Centre's magazine Global Thinking and several of its publications. The work involved a lot of proof-reading and negotiating with printers and designers, but also a significant amount of editorial input. Once the publications came out, I was then involved in advertising them in the relevant magazines and journals.

On top of the staples of the communications internship, one of the bonuses is learning how to get stories into the press and media - something you couldn't learn except by being involved in it and watching the process unfold. Another big bonus is getting to read all the Centre's pamphlets. The communications internship is unique in this, and it gave me a great insight into the Centre's various programmes. I learnt about issues (such as the workings of the European Parliament) which I would never otherwise have encountered.

As well as all the day-to-day work, there often big events and launches to help organise, book reviews to write and other projects get involved in. Out of personal interest, I worked on a project looking at the New Partnership for African Development, for which I helped organise a seminar, contributed to ideas for a publication and carried out research.

Of course there's the notorious envelope stuffing, but this can be quite an enjoyable social occasion as all the interns help out. In fact, the friendships I made with other interns, and the time and guidance given by the staff, were some of the most valuable aspects of my FPC internship.

Caroline Holmqvist

University: LSE

Subject: BSc International Relations

November 2001-April 2002

Risk and Security Programme Internship

The Foreign Policy Centre is a small but bustling place, which immediately becomes addictive. The most striking feature of the FPC is quite simply its form as an organisation. The Centre acts as a forum for debate and interaction between different groups that all have a stake in the foreign policy debate, be they government, academia, non-governmental organisations, the business community or the media. This makes for a distinct think-tank type of research agenda where fast-paced, progressive and hands-on thinking replaces the more static semantic debates you might find elsewhere.

I worked on the Risk and Security Programme and came in at the programme's conception. As well as researching various security-related topics and assisting in the development of new research projects, I helped organise and run the Programme Launch Event, research and commission suitable contributors to its first essay collection (on Terrorism and Impact reduction methods), organise a lecture by the former Philippine President Fidel Ramos and join in on external meetings and seminars. As an intern you quickly appropriate your tasks, engage with the programme and experience a genuine sense of pride and satisfaction. Dedication and energy can also take you well on the way to managing independent research. Lastly, the position does demand a fair share of office tasks, but these are made a lot more endurable thanks to help from fellow interns.

The FPC is an extremely interesting, dynamic and happy place and I would recommend doing an internship to anybody who is given the opportunity.

Jonathan White

University: Cambridge

Subject: MPhil in International Relations

September 2001-January 2002

Now: Researcher, Institute of International Relations, Prague

I spent four months as an intern at the FPC, coming to it from a BA in History at Oxford and an MPhil in International Relations at Cambridge. I worked as the Director's Assistant; a highly active role encompassing research and writing as well as the day-to-day coordination of the Director's affairs. It was an excellent placement.

As a relatively small organisation, the FPC relies heavily on its intake of interns, with the result that activities are of a substantive nature far beyond the usual internship fare. There is a core of daily office tasks, but an integral part of the placement consists of the more creative jobs of writing book reviews, scripting articles and policy briefs, and compiling essay collections. I was involved in putting together a collection of responses by statesmen, journalists and academics to the events of September 2001, and in the preparation and writing of a policy brief on reforming EU governance. Another attractive feature of the internship is the opportunity to go to seminars, lectures and various other events that the Centre hosts or is invited to. Exceptionally, there is even the potential for overseas travel: I was lucky enough to be given the role of rapporteur at a seminar organised by the FPC in Brussels.

Not the least of the internship's advantages is the chance to work with other young people who are at a similar stage in their careers and with whom experiences and advice can be shared. In the foreign policy / international relations field, where well-qualified people exceed the number of jobs available, to have an ear to the ground in this way is always useful. The temporary sacrifice of income is, in this sense, most likely justified.

The FPC is a happy environment, and one that I was sad to leave, though such is the nature of its work that all ex-interns are likely, at various instances, to bump into it again.

Jo Roberts

University: Sheffield University

Subject: MA International Relations

Europe Programme Internship: September to December 2001

If you're after a placement that gives you the opportunity to be involved in cutting edge research, organise high-level events, contribute to a magazine and try your hand at fundraising, then I would definitely recommend an internship on the Europe Programme. Of course it's not all like that: I did my fair share of letter writing, information-hunting and the inevitable envelope stuffing, but you certainly do get some great opportunities.

On the Europe Programme, it's typical to be working on three or four research projects at once and you really do get involved in them from day one. And coming straight from a Masters course into the internship meant that I was suddenly contributing to research in areas that I'd only studied before. During my four months working on the Europe Programme, I organised a top-level seminar, a fringe event and a book launch, designed and produced publicity material for the Europe Programme, helped in developing a subscriptions scheme, undertook research on various topics, helped publish a policy brief, wrote a book review, wrote event reports and yes, I stuffed countless envelopes.

Of course, every internship will be different because there's no such thing as a typical day at the Foreign Policy Centre, but this demonstrates the range of work you'll involved in. Beyond working on the Europe Programme, interns also get the chance to contribute to the work of the Foreign Policy Centre as a whole; for example, I was involved in discussing how the Centre could best respond to the September 11th crisis and analysing what repurcussions it had for the Europe Programme's research themes.

For anyone who's studied the European Union, this internship is an invaluable experience to work with, and meet, some of the best minds in the EU policy community. I would thoroughly recommend it.

Ben Elton

July - September 2001

Now: Third Year History Undergraduate - Queens' College, Cambridge

Working at the FPC meant a frantic, holiday free and hard working summer, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I worked as personal assistant to the Director, which meant writing letters, drafting speeches, articles and pamphlets, editorial work on books and pamphlets, fixing the director's diary and generally making sure he was in the right place at the right time.

In addition I was given individual tasks, like organising pamphlet launches, writing an introduction to producing a publication and researching concepts for future projects. The job is naturally demanding as the director is often involved in many projects at once, whch all have to be juggled and made to fit with other commitments. You have to be able to switch instantly from one project to another, from a speech to a pamphlet, to a letter, all on completely different themes. When the director needs a letter that was sent a week before and put to one side, you need to be able to put your hands on it pretty quickly, so organisation is vital, although organised chaos is acceptable.

You need to be able to cope with contrasting periods of intense activity followed by more fallow periods, so it's always a good idea to have a few long term jobs on the go. During the intense periods often every member of the Centre will want something from you or the director, and it can become quite stressful, but at such times organisation and efficiency is the key not rushing. The one factor that made working at the FPC so much fun, and the crises, panics and stresses worthwhile, was the people.

Ratna Jhaveri

Communications Internship: October 2000 - January 2001

Having now finished my time at the Foreign Policy Centre, I can definitely say that if taken back in time, I would still choose to do the internship. As press and marketing intern I feel I had some of the most interesting and varied work in the office. The best part about the Centre was working with and listening to staff members who were generous with their expertise and knowledge of issues I was and still am interested in.

My work was in the main two-fold. I was involved in helping promote and publicise the Centre's work and putting together and assisting the editing of Global Thinking, the Centre's newsletter. The best part about working on the promotion of the Centre's work was learning about and uncovering the inside mechanics of the national and specialist media. This included the specific art of the press release, the search for and courting of relevant journalists and the search for the right 'angle' and appropriate pegs with which to promote events and publications. It was fascinating to see this lead to eventual press coverage, be it articles in the morning papers or radio interviews.

The other part of my work which I really found rewarding was helping put together Global Thinking: a gradual process of commissioning and receiving pieces, editing and proof-reading as well as learning about the appropriate use of commas!

As an intern at the Centre you are surrounded by the most contemporary debates on foreign policy. This is the reason why I enjoyed the internship and the context in which I learned about and was involved in the mechanics of journalism, editing and publishing, PR and marketing as well as the practicalities of running a small business and office management.

Although at times chaotic, I would recommend the internship as the small size and youth of the Centre contributed to an open and flexible environment with few boundaries and constant opportunities to participate, contribute and learn.

Ellie Wilcox

Subject: BA: Modern History and German

January-June 2000: Events Internship

Now: Internship with BBC Washington

Most of my work at the Foreign Policy Centre was on the centre's events programme. This involved researching the topics that were going to be addressed and determining the focus of the seminar or talk. I helped to secure and brief speakers, compile invitation lists, secure venues and organise all the fringe meetings at party conferences, bringing me in to contact with people from all spheres of the foreign policy community whom I would never have otherwise encountered. It was great to talk to and learn from these people - I certainly learnt a hell of a lot during my time at the centre. Kate, my line manager, was great to work with which was really important as stress levels reached meteoric heights at times. Spending hours on the phone chasing up people who had failed to respond to invitations and the mammoth clear-up operations after events were not tasks that I particularly relished.

After six months, I left the Foreign Policy Centre with a strengthened resolve to work in international affairs. My time there exposed me to a number of different approaches to various issues, which often challenged and strengthened a lot of my thinking.

I have spent the summer working at Saatchi and Saatchi cause connection, the agency's cause related marketing unit - which has drawn on my communications, presentation and research skills. In two weeks, I am off to Washington DC to work as a lobbyist, which should give me an overview of the political scene over there and consolidate the skills I acquired whilst at the Foreign Policy Centre.

I already look back on my time at the Foreign Policy Centre with great affection and it is obvious that the skills I gained and the friendships I formed there will stand me in great stead for whatever I end up doing ultimately.

James Smither

Subject: History and International Relations

September - November 2000

I have found my three months internship to be both challenging and very memorable. The variety of activity and duties has been extremely great, and the level of trust and responsibility extremely rewarding. I have found myself involved in a huge range of different projects and initiatives.

My duties for the Director included looking after his diary, correspondence and phonecalls, but I was also involved in helping with background research for major articles and speeches and pamphlets including a pamphlet on the future shape of Europe, whose contributors include the British and Italian Prime Ministers. I also participated in the editing and preparation of a major pro-European reader publication.

I was also involved with helping write major research proposals for programmes on Europe and on the future of intervention and participated in and organised high-level meetings of The Foreign Policy Centre's Public Diplomacy programme. I attended and reported on Foreign Policy Centre events about the future of Yugoslavia and on the current crisis in the Middle East as well as writing a book review for the Centre's magazine, Global Thinking. On top of this I helped out at events at the Centre, including a conference on the future of Anglo-American relations and the Foreign Policy Centre annual lecture given by the UK Government Drugs Adviser Keith Hellawell.

An internship with The Foreign Policy Centre is extremely attractive. It is a dynamic, almost hyper-active place, with a democratic, forward-thinking and friendly ethos. Everyone's ideas are listened to, and everyone participates above and beyond the narrow confines of their nominal area of responsibility. Every intern has the chance to contribute with their ideas and enthusiasms and the outcome of your work can have great impact and exposure. It is also the perfect place to assess possible future careers in think-tanks, politics, the Media and private business. I found a fantastic job to move on to whilst at the Centre, and also made some great friends. I would recommend the internship scheme to anyone with the time, dedication and energy necessary to get the most out of it.

Victoria Holmes

Subject: BA Modern Languages

March-May 2000: Publications/Research/Fundraising Internship

Now: Internship: United Nations, Geneva

The Foreign Policy Centre is unique in the UK: pursuing a broader, more accessible approach to foreign policy and with interesting links to a wide range of organisations. I really enjoyed being able to attend a wide range of seminars, launches and events and coming into contact with such a wide range of people from government, academia, media, business and NGOs, many of whom were specialists in their field. One of the best things for me was working with a small, young team of people where being an intern didn't make me feel I had any less to contribute than the permanent staff, who are not that different in age from the interns anyway.

The work of The Foreign Policy Centre covers such a wide range of subjects that it was possible to pursue those things I was already interested in and learn a great deal about issues I hadn't been so directly interested in before and you inevitably get really involved in each project you work on. On a realistic note, it is important to remember that as an intern you are expected to make a significant contribution to the general day-to-day running of the office i.e. you will spend quite a bit of time on administrative tasks such as stuffing envelopes and answering the phone. I feel that the experience of working with a small, young team in a hard-working, intellectually-challenging atmosphere pushed me, particularly to think about issues in a more practical, policy-oriented way which I hadn't really done before. So many different kinds of work are done in the office – publishing, events organising, fundraising, press work, research, writing, and more – that a stint as an intern gives an exposure to a diverse range of jobs all at once.

During my internship I conducted extensive research (mainly on the internet) in English and Spanish for an in-house project focusing on kidnapping, organised crime, terrorism, corruption, and the international drug trade. I also researched and presented a paper on the validity of government travel advice to an internal seminar, and I helped to organise a seminar with Keith Hellawell, the "drugs czar" on the international drugs trade.

I co-ordinated the publications system, liasing with authors and printers, assisting the Research Director in editing and proof-reading pamphlets, correspondence and maintaining the publications section of the website. I also helped to organise publications seminars.

On the fundraising side, I researched potential funders for events and projects run by the Centre. After leaving the Foreign Policy Centre I went to be an intern at the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights in Geneva – a totally different experience! After my time at the Foreign Policy Centre I felt in a much stronger, more confident position. I am now about to start a Masters in Latin American Studies, which I had been planning for a while. I do feel I will bring a lot more to the course than if I had gone straight to university, and since the reason for doing the course is to make me better qualified for the jobs I'm interested in rather than as an entry into an academic career, practical experience of politics and international relations is certainly a great advantage.

Paul Roberts

University: University of Warwick

Subject: MA International Relations

Now: Research Officer, WaterAid India Programme, New Delhi

The internship at The Foreign Policy Centre is unlike most other internships as from day one you are very much considered an integral member of the (small) team and given a relatively high degree of responsibility. The majority of time is spent on tasks such as day-to-day administration, editing publications and organising events however, interns are also given interesting topics to research, lectures to attend and discussions to partake in. Whilst you are expected to work hard and to a high standard, the working environment is one that is both extremely engaging and highly enjoyable.

I found my internship at the FPC to be not only a tremendous learning curve and a great insight into how foreign policy works in the real world but also a valuable addition to my CV. In fact, it has also been of direct relevance to my current job with WaterAid, which involves researching in more detail some of the issues I worked on at a broader level whilst on the internship programme.

In short: if you have an interest in foreign affairs and don't fancy the more mainstream employment opportunities available to students and graduates, I would recommend the internship at the FPC in the strongest possible terms.