While finishing my masters I realized that my career ambition is in policy research, in turn, this drove me to apply for the internship at the IPPS. Indeed, the internship allowed me to explore and debate on issues spanning from Migration in Eastern Europe, EU’s relations with Russia and China in respect to recent events and the repercussions of the Pandemic on member states economies. The internship gave me insight on the internal workings of a think tank and induced me to a greater extent in wanting to work in one in the future.
In terms of my duties and responsibilities so far, these are quite diverse as I have been given a wide variety of tasks to perform which have included proofreading documents, producing papers on certain subjects such as electronic voting in America. I also virtually attended a series of conferences of the Institute giving me the opportunity to learn how experts critically analyze certain issues. A further task I was given, included book keeping in excel for the Institutes finances, particularly for their conference Multiple challenges for Transatlantic Partnerships. As well as, to lobby and follow certain EU politicians and make fact sheets on them and their policies and political interests. Furthermore, I have been tasked with researching other Political think tanks and performing administrative tasks such as email templates and correcting and proofreading emails for potential guest’s speakers for the Institutes events.
Through the Internship I have also greatly improved my writing skills, as I was asked to write many papers, and had the privilege to write a blog post on the recent upsurge of violence in Mozambique.
In relation to the IPPS team, they were extremely supporting and routinely checked up on me and my performance as well as, asked me if there was any way of improving the existent communication channels which I always responded that the there was no need for improving, as we spoke multiple times a week and my tasks were given to me very clearly. – However, if I would have any question on the tasks, the staff of the institute and my supervisor were very accessible and friendly and would provide me with any clarifications. Together with, providing feedback on my work which I truly appreciated as I believe that such feedback helped me to improve my own communication skills, writing skills and organizational skills.
Based on my overall experience I would most definitely recommend this internship, as you will be given the opportunity to learn a lot as well as, be involved in the discussions with experts and politicians. You will also be able to tailor your interests, these being economic, political or within the complex issues of geopolitics and perform the work and research that you want to carry out in the institute.