A placement that offers valuable hands-on experience in politics
To be competitive in the current job market you need more than just a degree - you need to gain and demonstrate key skills needed in the workplace.
Our work placement and employability programme offers valuable hands-on experience, builds self-confidence, and applies academic learning in a real-world environment.
Some of our students have had the opportunity to work within the School of Politics itself. This has provided them with a valuable learning experience in academia and a great opportunity to gain insight into a new field of politics and international relations. The placement not only expanded their knowledge of the subject but also helped them develop key relationships with researchers, make memories and enhance their employability.
Sam talks about his placement experience
I undertook a School of Politics and International Relations Paid Placement working as a research assistant for Dr Jason Klocek. My role saw me work to identify religious civil society actors in Uzbekistan, with the aim of it serving as a case study as part of a paper Dr Klocek is writing with a colleague.
The research had two main steps: firstly, I worked to identify relevant academic and practice-based sources that may have actors within them. Then, I went through the available resources to identify the relevant civil society actors. This process taught me lots about systematic research, and how we put it into practice.
I also developed resilience, given that some weeks of research would produce little results, with others producing more results. This variation helped provide me with a realistic sample of how academic research can often either not provide the results expected or take a while to find them.
Finally, engaging with the content of the work is also important. It’s fascinating to learn about a new area or subject, as I did with religion in Uzbekistan.
— Samuel Bruning, Research Assistant for Dr Jason Klocek (Spring 2022)
Naomi on her journey with The Rights Lab
Naomi completed a paid placement with the School of Politics and International Relations in the spring semester of 2022. Here she tells us about her experiences.
Phoebe shares her exposure to research
I was a research assistant for Dr Tyler Kustra assisting his project studying the responses of governments subjected to economic sanctions. My role was to collect and organise the existing research on the topic.
I enjoyed the exposure I got to different perspectives on the research topic. I am very interested in sanctions and undertook a dissertation studying their impact on Iranian foreign policy. I was introduced to interesting viewpoints and nuances, and I developed an appreciation for the different methods and variables used to measure the same concept.
The placement has improved my employability on top of the knowledge I gained on the subject. I am confident creating and handling databases now. I have been able to discuss this experience in interviews, including for my new administrative role in the NHS. I worked independently with some progress checks, which shows future employers that I am trustworthy, competent, and reliable. These are all valuable skills for graduating students to demonstrate, regardless of the industry, profession, and role.
— Phoebe Turner, Research Assistant for Dr Tyler Kustra (Spring 2022)
