My experience has encompassed a wide range of fields and sectors. I have worked in schools, the creative industries (Television and filmmaking), education, marketing and politics. However, if my experiences were to be tied together by a common thread, it would be communication. Through my work I have learnt how to creatively and effectively communicate in different environments and to different audiences. Through my experiences managing various projects, conducting research and working in groups, I have developed an excellent level of written and verbal communication. I love the work I am able to produce because of my passion and the skills I have developed.
At the Students’ Representative Council, I have been able to raise awareness of different social issues including the importance of accessibility for disabled people in education. Being a creative communicator to me means being inclusive and trying to engage and involve people often left out of our conversations (especially in politics and education). Having a diverse range of experience and knowledge has also allowed me to achieve such roles such as my Scottish Parliamentary Internship with the John Smith Centre. This gave me the opportunity to work with policy makers, learn from civil servants, conduct research and crucially to emphasise the importance of having minority voices in parliament and positions of power. Excellent communication is also about challenging perspectives and learning new things. During my time abroad in the Netherlands studying human rights law at Radboud University, my views about ethical and moral issues were challenged extensively. This highlighted to me that having a diverse set of voices and opinions can improve discussions and bring new ideas to the table. I am a creative communicator because I value inclusivity, adaptivity and innovation. |
In 2019 I was selected for the non-partisan John Smith Centre’s Parliamentary internship programme. The programme gave the opportunity for interns to work with a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) in their constituency office and within Parliament. During the 10-week programme I had to opportunity to serve under Anas Sarwar MSP. Throughout the placement I completed research and various constituency casework with his office manager and staff researchers. Taking on this role meant helping with a large variety of tasks and working in an environment that I was unfamiliar with (working in parliament and interacting with public servants). In order to work well during the placement, I had to communicate effectively, take appropriate initiative and maintain a professional manner as a representative of the MSP’s office.
Much of this role included working with the public, for instance I communicated with constituents, charities and the media, both in person and through email correspondence. For instance, I met with the charity ‘Big Noise” and sat in on meetings with them with my MSP, taking notes and contributing ideas. I overcame the challenges of working in these new situations by remaining professional, friendly at all times and asking questions when I was unsure. In addition to this, I was completing a range of administrative tasks (emails, casework and a research project) in combination with my academic workload and my part-time job. This required me to manage my time effectively and use my organisational skills. I was able to successfully do this by planning ahead, organising my time and communicating consistently with the office manager about my availability and my progress. The experience I gained from this internship meant I was able to greatly improve my communication skills as well as my ability to confidently work independently in a new environment. I learnt how to work professionally within a political environment, taking on new ideas and challenging my own assumptions. It was an amazing opportunity that gave me valuable insight into the daily workings of politics that I had studied and followed from the outside but had not yet experienced first-hand. |