Eight Weeks In: What Have Our Interns Learned at Bantham?

As Bantham continues to grow, we remain committed to providing early-career experiences and opportunities for students in Northern Ireland that are often hard to come by locally. This summer, we were delighted to welcome two talented interns, Olivia and Eppie, both currently studying for an MSc in International Public Policy at Queen’s University Belfast.

Over the past eight weeks, they’ve been immersed in the work and culture of Bantham. Below, they share their reflections on what they've learned, how they’ve grown, and what the experience has meant to them.

Why did we apply?

As public policy students, we were both drawn to the internship because it offered the opportunity to gain real-life policy and public affairs experience alongside our studies. Additionally, we were eager to work within an agency setting, as it offers broader exposure to the policy landscapes across various industries, an experience we both believe is invaluable at this early stage of our careers.

What have we been working on?

One thing that we have both enjoyed about the internship so far is the variety of work that comes with working in a public affairs agency. Our day-to-day work involves keeping clients informed about key political developments through daily updates and detailed weekly reports.

One of our most rewarding projects to date was an analysis piece on the local elections in May. By leading on this project, we took charge of its direction and worked together to produce the final report; an experience we both really valued. Additionally, we have had the chance to contribute to the more creative side of Bantham’s work through writing blogs on topics that we are passionate about. 

Recently, Eppie has been working on a piece on the use of AI within the Irish healthcare system, and she’s also had the opportunity to attend an event on ‘Health and Care in a New Ireland’. This is one thing we’ve both really enjoyed about our internship: the opportunity and freedom to align our experience at Bantham with our own unique interests. 

What have we learnt?

One of the most insightful parts of the internship so far has been gaining a deeper understanding of parliamentary procedures across the UK and Ireland. We’ve followed the progress of Bills from first reading to Royal Assent, monitored Prime Minister’s Questions and dissected detailed Select Committee reports. This has exposed us to the huge variety of work that happens within Parliament. Through this, we have greatly developed our knowledge of governance and policy-making, directly complementing our studies. 

It has been exciting to learn about the world of public affairs, with both of us coming into the internship with limited industry knowledge. Being part of a small team has also meant being given real responsibility from day one, allowing us to learn quickly about the fast-paced and diverse nature of the work within the sector. 

One thing we have both discussed is the difficulty graduates currently face in finding real entry-level experience across the UK, with this problem compounded for those seeking public affairs or policy-related work outside of London or Dublin. Our office opposite Belfast City Hall has been a great base to explore the city and engage with its political landscape, helping us make the most out of our experience. 

Overall, we have both thoroughly enjoyed our time at Bantham so far, and look forward to continuing to grow with the company throughout our internship!