Senior Caseworker | House of Commons
BA History and Politics and WWC Mumbai – 2019
Going to Mumbai and meeting alumni in the business sector changed my perspective on how to communicate and work with those from around the world."
Why did you choose to study your course at Westminster?
I wanted to go to Westminster because it is at the heart of our city and country. Being one of the most diverse universities is something which attracted me as I wanted to experience different cultures and broaden my horizons. Studying History and Politics at Westminster was the best combination possible, as all the resources needed from Parliament, to the British Library and Museum were within walking distance from my campus.
What was your favourite part of the course?
My favourite part of the course was all the opportunities along the way. I was able to take an internship in the politics sector and attended a United Nations summit in New York. Throughout the course you have the chance to apply the skills and theories you have learnt in the real world. This not only increased my development academically but prepared me for life after Westminster.
Which part of the Westminster Working Cultures programme had the biggest impact on you and why?
Going to Mumbai and meeting alumni in the business sector changed my perspective on how to communicate and work with those from around the world. I realised that you should never confine yourself to a plan which is ‘one size fits all’ but adapt to your surroundings and the individuals you are engaging with. They enlightened us, through talks and presentations, of the need to adapt and know the nuances of any differing market/sector globally.
How did the programme support your professional and/or personal development?
It helped me be comfortable in situations which I was not familiar with. We are very used to our routine and the ability to adapt can be hard to test when we are stuck in our certain ways. Being put in a very different environment proved to me that I can adapt and make the best use of the situation I am in. In my current role, each day is different in terms of the environment and tasks I take on. I know that going to Mumbai has allowed me to be able to transverse this and adapt to any task which I have to do.
Do you have any tips for students going on future WWC trips?
For any student participating in a WWC programme, remember to say yes to everything and go out of your comfort zone. These new experiences shape your outlook on life and develop you in ways traditional lectures and seminars cannot.
Was the programme beneficial for giving you an insight in your chosen job market and opportunities following graduation?
I wanted to work in politics, and this means being able to speak and understand people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Going to Mumbai proved I could communicate and work in a totally different environment and allowed me to focus that politics was something I want to get a job in going forward. It also highlighted that in a world which has so much wealth and prosperity, the slums in Mumbai showed a side we do not see back home. It gave me more motivation to go into a job market where you can change the world and make a genuine difference for people in this country and abroad. Going to the slums was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have had in my life so far.
Did you include your experience on your CV/discuss during your job interview?
I included my experience in Mumbai to show how I could adapt and talk to various cultures. I also talked about the importance of learning from other people’s experiences (something I did whilst in Mumbai) and this helped me get my role. It showed that I had the skills people need to succeed in politics and Parliament. It is important to know people from all walks of life and show that you have taken these previous experiences and utilised them for the common good.
Do you have any advice for graduating students starting out in their job search?
Use websites such as Prospect and Engage. Westminster’s Careers and Employability Service helped me develop my CV and LinkedIn profile, while focussing my job search on specific roles. As an alumnus, I know I will continue to use these resources to find more opportunities to develop. This will give you a leg up on others who are graduating at the same time. It is also important to realise the Career’s and Employability Service also do interview preparation and this helped me get my role at the House of Commons.