Rose .M. Jackson

Internship Thoughts

Before I came down to London, I promised myself that I’d write a daily blog post on my placement. As expected, and as per usual, I failed to achieve this simple goal! 

Obviously I was going to love being in London, but I didn’t think it’d get to the point where I don’t want to go home at all.    Everything is bigger and better down here, and I’ve come to abhor all those who cling on to Manchester. It’s a dive, get out of there! I think working in Westminster has pretty much set in stone what I would like to do/intend to do as of when I graduate this time next year. So far I’ve found it hard to imagine myself doing a different kind of job. I’ve backed away from my unrealistic ‘I don’t want to work in an office’ mantra; it was a completely useless thing to say in the first place.

Westminster is such an interesting and fascinating place to be around, and I can’t help but feel extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity in the first place. I’ve been given so many opportunities to experience different things each day, some of which completely bewildered me. I’ve tried so hard to absorb everything and everything people have said and at times some things went completely went over my head, such as the select committee meeting I was sat in this morning (I’ll put that down to the fact that I’ve only been here 3 days, and not my ignorance). 

Sitting in the Commons debates were just one of the highlights. Although any member of the public (and any tourist) can go and watch them, I suddenly found myself getting more engaged with what was being said. Usually whenever I watch a bit of th BBC Parliament channel, I find myself getting a bit bored with what ever is being said. It was during these debates that, for the first time ever in my life, I started to consider keeping the option of becoming an MP open. But I think that is something that I will develop over time. 

The internship has opened more doors than I ever expected it to do. It’s opened my eyes to not only the world of ‘real’ work, but also to what actually goes on in Westminster. I know I’ll find leaving tomorrow hard, as I’m getting fed up with still being in the education bubble which for me, may I point out, has lasted for 16 years. This week has also taught me to not hold back with my politics and what I believe in, it’s been so good to be around politically like-minded people!

I honestly believe that I’m ready for the next level; what I’ve been doing this past week is the next level. 

(at some point I’ll do an actual internship update that details everything I did)

"A story of the ‘Three Nations’: Has the concept of social class in Britain been reinforced or eradicated in the years following 1918?"

Neglecting Tumblr

I’ve neglected the internet quite a bit over the Easter break as I’ve been so busy with life! It’s been nice to have three weeks at home and although I don’t really want to go back to York, I am looking forward to living by my own rules (i.e. not having my parents moan at me about the mess I make).

Quite a bit has happened over the past three weeks - I’ve somehow managed to get a work placement in the House of Commons with a local MP (hence the above picture)! I’m super excited for this, albeit a bit nervous, but hopefully it will help me get an idea of what kind of career path I want to take. It is, however, a very expensive work placement. I’m very fortunate that my Mum and Step-dad wanted me to get some work experience in London, and were willing to fork out the £500+ it would cost for me to stay there for the week. Hopefully this (unpaid) work placement will give my CV, and employable qualities, a big boost!

I’ve also started doing a ‘voluntary’ research task for Pollinet, which is very time-consuming and I’m beginning to think that I’ve under-estimated how much spare time I actually have. On top of all this I’ve had to submit my final dissertation proposal which has somewhat freaked me out. I’m not the best at thinking about the/my future, and so I’ve completely ignored the dissertation issue. So far I’ve come up with one topic that interests me - how the British class system has changed since 1918 - but I’m not the best at wording questions, and I’ve already over-complicated things by having such a vast time scale.

In short, I’m pretty snowed under with everything right now, yet I’m still finding the time to blog. Sort my priorities out? I think so!

I’ve been so busy with work lately, I’ve had to take a very impartial view on every current affair issue. I feel so out of the game!