If like me you are seriously looking to build a career in governance and public policy then I really can’t recommend a better place to gain experience working on topical and influential projects than with the team at the New Local Government Network. At a time when constitutional reform and the lifting of burdens on Local Government are so firmly on the agenda of Gordon Brown’s new administration, now could not be a more relevant or exciting time to gain experience with NLGN. As a hugely influential think tank you work on research projects in the knowledge that the final published paper will have real influence on the centre-local debate. With the process of transforming local government in a state of flux-this is a real opportunity to help shape what future local government should and could look like.

I arrived at NLGN with the usual first day nerves but was immediately struck by the warm welcome and friendliness of the team. Between them they have a wealth of professional experience and insights to share and were all a pleasure to work with. Having hinted in my interview that I was interested in the hugely topical issue of community relations, immigration and asylum, I was partnered with Owen, the lead researcher on NLGN’s ‘Devolving Diversity’ research project. The task being to investigate what powers could be devolved down to local authorities so as to enable them to manage migration issues in a way tailored to meet local challenges. Owen, Matthew and Dick gave me a range of opportunities to make a contribution to this project, from doing background desk research, transforming huge reports in concise policy briefing papers, constructing guest lists for events and chasing up invitations. One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship for me was to work on the development of a scenario-planning event-a day structured around tasks we designed to gather vital research information from policy officers working in local authorities around the country. An internship with NLGN is really what you make of it. There is certainly no shortage of flexibility on NLGN’s part here to maximise the experience you can gain. Despite finishing my six-week internship, I was invited back to London to act as a facilitator for focus group discussions on the day-seeing the project through from the drawing board to the finished event.

A complimentary ticket to NLGN’s summer reception at the House of Commons was an added perk of the job as was the opportunity to rub shoulders with senior government ministers here and at NLGN’s extensive programme of in-house and public events. All round, for those with a passion for politics and who are looking for a career-enhancing boost, NLGN’s internships are an opportunity not to be missed!

Chris Bird Summer 2007