Bella
Bella took a three-month placement as part of her masters in Public Affairs. Here, she describes how she found her placement as a Strategy and Policy Intern and what a typical day looks like.
How I found my placement
As part of my university degree requirements, I was required to complete a three-month placement. Having previously enjoyed working in policy during my internship at the British Embassy in Bern (FCDO), I was keen to gain further experience in the field and develop my understanding of domestic policy within local government.
To find a suitable opportunity, I proactively reached out to a Senior Policy Officer at Guildford Borough Council on LinkedIn after noticing 'Policy Officer' in his job title and recognising that his role aligned with my career interests. After explaining my aspirations and interest in policy work, he kindly provided me with the contact details of the Director of Strategy and Corporate Services.
I then drafted a persuasive email outlining my background, experience, and enthusiasm for working within strategy and policy. Following this, I was invited to attend an interview, where I discussed my previous experience and career ambitions. A few months later, I was delighted to receive confirmation that I had secured a placement as a Strategy and Policy Intern.
This experience taught me the value of networking, initiative, and persistence. Rather than applying through a formal recruitment process, I was able to create an opportunity by reaching out directly and demonstrating my enthusiasm for the role. The placement has since provided invaluable insight into local government, strategic planning, and policy development.
Day in the life of a placement student
I typically wake up at 7:00 am and walk from my accommodation to the office, arriving at around 8:10 am. I begin my workday by checking and responding to emails before planning my day using my calendar. This helps me organise my workload efficiently, manage deadlines, and ensure that I finish work on time, as I am not permitted to work overtime.
By the Wey meetings
Every Thursday, all staff are invited to attend 'By the Wey', an online staff meeting that begins with an icebreaker activity followed by organisational updates, including progress on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The sessions also feature guest speakers and opportunities for colleagues to share work they are particularly proud of. These presentations cover a wide range of topics, from improving accessibility in the workplace to learning about LGBTQIA+ history through initiatives such as ListenQueer, which brings to life the stories of often overlooked individuals and communities.
One particularly memorable presentation was delivered by a speaker whose family had been directly affected by the Srebrenica genocide. She shared the story of her father, who survived the massacre of more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys during the Bosnian War. Her father escaped through the mountainous forests surrounding Srebrenica, undertaking what became known as the 'Death March'. During the journey, many people lost their lives due to harsh conditions, becoming lost, or being deceived by false promises of safety made by Bosnian Serb forces. Each year, survivors and families commemorate those who were killed by participating in the Peace March, a 100-kilometre walk that follows the route taken by those seeking survival. This presentation was both powerful and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on me.
Routine work
My day-to-day work has been varied and engaging. A significant part of my role has involved contributing to the development of a comprehensive Electric Vehicle Strategy. I have also supported the delivery of events which bring together local organisations, businesses and stakeholders to discuss how procurement, partnerships, and community initiatives can deliver wider social, economic, and environmental benefits for residents. I hosted sessions, took notes, monitored in-boxes, and sent invitations to participants. In addition, I created feedback forms for community transport, social value initiatives, and a risk workshop.
I have also been involved in projects relating to diverse needs, including tenant engagement activities conducted both in person and through the distribution of flyers. This work allowed me to shadow a researcher, contribute to stakeholder engagement activities, and write a report summarising findings from a staff workshop to inform the wider strategy development process.
Alongside my main responsibilities, I have completed a variety of shorter tasks that often required a quick turnaround. These included preparing briefing notes on topics such as Andy Burnham and Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs), responding to emerging policy issues, and supporting colleagues with ad hoc research requests.
Placement report
Throughout my placement, I have participated in a range of training programmes and workshops, including a risk workshop, which helped deepen my understanding of local government reorganisation. This experience directly influenced the focus of my placement report, which explores the research question: How are devolution and local government reorganisation transforming local governance in England?
At the end of each working day, I return home and start working on my placement report, as it must be completed alongside my day-to-day responsibilities.
