Out of the rabbit hole…
By Elise Kirby
Gold adorning the walls. Dimly lit corridors. Carved wooden bannisters. Walking through the House of Commons on my first day, I thought to myself, “This is only meant for people with years of experience. This is only meant for people who understand politics inside and out.”
Now, I realise that you don't need to know everything from day one; you just need curiosity and the courage to start.
I had a decent understanding, but I rarely had the opportunity to find out how legislation was passed and how the inner mechanics of Whitehall operated.
What's more, I had no knowledge of who to contact and how to contact those who were directly able to create change.
Before coming to intern at Elect Her for 3 weeks, I was a university student studying politics and international relations. Whilst I love my course, I was always more focused on essay writing about foreign affairs.
I had a decent understanding, but I rarely had the opportunity to find out how legislation was passed and how the inner mechanics of Whitehall operated. What's more, I had no knowledge of who to contact and how to contact those who were directly able to create change.
Every time I had the urge to start independent research on these topics, it felt like I was falling down a rabbit hole of the unknown, where each answer only led to more questions.
To be quite honest with you, the amalgamation of these feelings made me not want to learn about domestic politics at all. It all felt so nerve-wracking and so very far away.
The word “politics” itself still carries this weight of being vast and reserved for the elite, who can often access networks and information the rest of us simply don't have.
This problem is not unique to me. I strongly believe that it is one of the main reasons why “over 30% of young individuals cite a lack of understanding or feel that the political system is too complicated to navigate”.
The word “politics” itself still carries this weight of being vast and reserved for the elite, who can often access networks and information the rest of us simply don't have. It is easy to say that encouraging more youth to be involved and up-to-date on politics starts with education. I won’t refute that teachers are the spark that lights an interest in global affairs and that it is their responsibility to create a more digestible curriculum. However, I will also assert that the wider political sphere needs to step up for children's lives.
Not all teens or university students have the privilege of a strong education system. Not all teens or university students have the privilege of being introduced to politics at all. To this end, internships or work experience can be that light at the end of a rabbit hole of confusion and inaccessibility.
Personally, I am so grateful that Elect Her stood up, offered me an internship and gave me the hands-on experience that I was missing. Being able to meet face-to-face with the people who connect local communities and councils with those shaping and passing legislation was invaluable.
There was one moment in particular that I felt encapsulated this shift in how I saw politics. At a Local Government Information Unit event in the House of Commons, as aforementioned, I was overwhelmed and, quite frankly, felt out of place. But after the speech ended and the invitees mingled, our supervisor introduced us to a former local council leader. She explained how she started off working on organising bin collections, slowly working her way up to being an MP. Bubbly, inviting and keen to help, it struck me how she was so open to helping us and talking to students who did not have the same level of knowledge as her. What's more, she gave advice on what skills she looks for when she is employing students: those with waitressing or customer service jobs. This was so relieving for me and I hope it can bring some solace to those who feel like only those with experience in political fields can contribute.
I hope that in the future Elect Her will establish a more permanent base in London or other major cities, so that new interns can meet the people who make politics feel possible, the way this council leader did for me.
Aside from having the direct hands-on experience, I was also moved by how important colleagues are in one's journey out of the rabbit hole of confusion. I have worked summers before, but being a waitress in a large hotel meant I was talking more to customers or running around to deliver food than sitting down with my colleagues.
With Elect Her I vividly remember sitting in a park and talking about the future with the intern. Having someone with a different background to me, yet with similar worries and aspirations, was so comforting. We were learning to figure out the whole political landscape together (although I suspect I mildly bombarded them with questions). If we had a whole network of interns or prospective students doing just that, imagine how many more young people will feel that the political system isn’t as lonely as it seems.
I have explained in depth how my experiences have changed me and how valuable this internship was to exposing me to domestic politics.
But what advice do I have for students who want to get internships?
But what advice do I have for students who want to get inernships?
Don’t devalue customer service roles and society leadership
Reach out to free institutions or companies for training or CV advice; Women in Politics societies are a great place to start
Most importantly, cold emailing is not an imposition nor a burden to the company. The worst they can say is no!
In a highly competitive job market dominated by AI interviews, being able to find alternative avenues to find work experience is nothing to be ashamed of. Use your skills and passions for good, and be honest when you need extra help.
To any companies, foundations, or charities potentially reading this blog. Please reach out to students first! Make yourself present in job fairs, add your email address to your website, and make it easy for Gen Z to see that you involve them.
I speak from experience when I say it was not just my lack of understanding that put me off certain job sectors; it was also the websites themselves. Judging students by how much they already know may no longer be the best way to find great interns. It's far more valuable to gauge their willingness to learn.
All in all, I hope this blog is both a comfort and a wake-up call to anyone reading. To students who feel inundated facing domestic politics, seek internship experience! To those exploring work experience opportunities, consider my advice! To companies reading, change your mindset and recognise your role in the future of the youth!
Finally, I would like to use this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Annabel Mullin and the other interns. They created such a welcoming environment where my questions would never be struck down and learning new things always felt exciting.
Without their guidance, my world would have stayed that much smaller and the rabbit hole that much more difficult to escape.
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