London Internships
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Overview
The INSTEP London academic internship program is designed to integrate the study of politics, law, communications/media, and business to combine an internship experience with specially related coursework. Each semester and summer there are a number of selected internship placements available for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a major and resume in the relevant areas.
When applying for an internship, you must also complete an Internship Proposal Form as part of the Application for Admission. On this form you can give detailed information about type of internship you are looking for. The information on this form is then considered in relation to the specific areas offered by firms or organizations in London to see if there is a placement available relevant to your interests. It is important to note that all INSTEP internships carry academic credit and are not paid. This helps you as a student in two ways. Firstly, it ensures that you will be interning in an area relevant to your interests and secondly it makes it much easier for you to receive academic credit from your home school. An academic project of about 2500 words must be submitted to INSTEP at the end of the internship based on the research, or an aspect thereof, carried out at the internship. These projects are assessed by INSTEP faculty.
You will be expected to intern a maximum of 20 hours per week as well as keep up with your coursework so you should prepare for a considerable time commitment. One of the seminars in which you enroll will serve to reinforce the academic component of your internship. These seminars have been specially designed to help you integrate your coursework with your internship (and visa versa), and also to give you an opportunity to discuss any issues that arise from your internship throughout the semester with other students and the faculty member.
Eligibility
To be accepted as an intern, you should have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 with a major in a politics, law, business, or communications/media (or related field) and a major GPA of 3.2 or higher. You must complete an Application for Admission including an Internship Proposal Form and submit an up to date resume. In order for your internship proposal to be considered these must be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the program for which you are applying. Internships are a major component of the INSTEP London program; however if you are not accepted as an intern, you may still have the opportunity to participate in the program by registering for courses only.
What Types of Internships are Available?
The actual number of internship placements available varies from program to program depending on the requirements of firms and organizations given the academic nature of the placements. However, recently we have had students placed with political think tanks, lobbying groups, in solicitors’ offices, and in the headquarters of the major political parties.
Examples of Past Internship Placements in London
***LABOUR PARTY***
There have been placements in several different sections of the Labour Party headquarters (presently the party of government in the
***THE ENCOMPASS TRUST***
This organization promotes tolerance and understanding between young people from different backgrounds, cultures, and faiths. Each year they have a range of programs and promotional events that all contribute to their aim to build wider cultural understanding and tolerance. Internship opportunities here are in different aspects of media and communications, as well as business.
***RIGHTS OF WOMEN (RoW)***
A women’s organisation founded in 1975 that works to ensure that women can access their legal rights. RoW offers free confidential legal advice in such specialist areas as family law, children and contact issues, and domestic violence. The organisation also provides guidance for policy makers, ensuring that women’s rights are firmly on the public policy agenda. Therefore it can be a valuable placement for law, politics, or public policy interns.
***CENTRE FOR DEFENCE STUDIES (CDS)***
An international relations think tank established in 1990, and now closely associated with other prestigious research bodies within a major university college. Internship experience at CDS can include background research (including both literature and internet searches) and preparing and writing papers and presentations.
***BRITISH AMERICAN BUSINESS, INC. (BABi)***
A leading transatlantic business organization with offices in both London and New York, BABi plays an important part in business relationships between the US and the UK and continental Europe. The organization aims to provide a range of targeted services that will help member companies develop and manage their businesses. Internship opportunities here can include research work, assistance with corporate events, and helping produce BABi publications.
***McCORMACKS SOLICITORS***
McCormacks is one of London's leading criminal law defense solicitors, with four offices in London and Essex. It specializes in criminal and family law, serious and complex casework, and specialist fraud. Internship experience here can include working under the supervision of individual solicitors, attending both criminal and family law courts, and acting as an outdoor clerk at court hearings.
From Fall 2005 placements of similar caliber will be offered in the field of communications and media.
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