My time at iNHouse has equipped me with a set of valuable skills

My time as an account assistant at iNHouse has been an incredibly exciting introduction to the complex and fast-paced world of public affairs. As a recent Politics and International Relations graduate, securing an internship or professional experience was a daunting challenge. While vocational degrees such as Law have clear-cut paths, prospects with a degree in politics can appear both incredibly vast and limited at the same time. Every politics graduate is also inevitably confronted with the difficult dilemma of pursuing a career in either the public or private sector. However, I, fortunately, stumbled across iNHouse’s internship opportunity when looking into public affairs firms. After a comprehensive assessment day involving written tasks, interviews and group exercises, I was grateful to be accepted into the scheme.

Although I had little experience compared to the rest of the team, on my first day, I was immediately treated like a valued member of the company. I was allocated to specific client accounts, invited to join meetings, and given a broad and diverse variety of work tasks.

The work was especially interesting. I was asked to conduct client and political research, allowing me to delve into various topics and enhance my understanding of contemporary political issues. I was also given the opportunity to write client briefings and summarise essential reports. Under the guidance of my personal mentor, Kat, I successfully sharpened my analytical and communication skills to reach iNHouse’s professional standards.

I was given a great deal of autonomy and trust

To further build up my skills and confidence, I was given one-to-one weekly feedback sessions detailing areas for improvement to optimise company and client satisfaction. The amount of care and personal attention I received to ensure my well-being and professional progress was particularly thoughtful. While help and guidance were always on hand, I also truly appreciated the amount of independence provided. Instead of being micromanaged, I was given a great deal of autonomy and trust, allowing me to approach work with my own style and ideas, an opportunity which arguably went beyond the expectations of the traditional internship experience. 

On a more personal note, I was initially struck by the warmth and kindness of the iNHouse team, who made me feel instantly welcome and who have successfully forged a cheerful and friendly work environment where each strives to be the very best version of themselves. Compounded by the open office set-up, I appreciated how the work culture was conducive to breaking down corporate barriers, promoting a horizontal hierarchy where each individual feels valued and heard. As for the work socials, “I guess you had to be there” because while the iNHouse team knows how to work hard and deliver results, they also definitely know how to have fun. I am extremely grateful to have been a part of such a lovely cohort of individuals, each caring, unique and incredibly successful.

Ultimately, my time at iNHouse has equipped me with a set of valuable skills essential for my personal and professional growth. Most importantly, it enabled me to gather experience in a field that I am truly passionate about.