Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

As a trainee clerk I am on rotation. Currently I am second clerk to the Science and Technology Committee which involves helping to manage committee workload, prepare briefing materials for committees on inquiries, drafting reports, and advising members on the customers and procedures of the house. I also have to undertake duties of house such as division duty, clerking delegated legislation committees and preparing the papers of the house.

I am currently leading on a single inquiry which would involve collating and analysing the written evidence, organising oral evidence session and preparing briefing papers for committee and the witnesses, and eventually drafting a report with the guidance of committee. I would also assist with committee workload, such as drafting minutes and clerking meetings. Occasionally I undertake division duty in the house where I would be able to offer procedural advice to members and help take divisions.

I love the opportunity to work closely with members, and working in the House is a really exciting opportunity. You’re really thrown in at the deep end - and you develop great relationships with staff and members as you work alongside them in a committee environment. It’s also great to dive into some random topic and become an expert in the space of a few months. I also love doing division duty, being in the chamber taking votes during key political events is really a once in a lifetime experience!

The job demands a lot of flexibility - it’s important to be able to adapt your workload to changing political circumstances which of course is quite unpredictable in the current Brexit time! Equally, you may be a part of a committee you have no idea about and have to quickly adapt to gain specific skill sets. You may also be expected to offer complex procedural knowledge to a member or member of staff at a moments notice.

I was fascinated by politics and wanted to be involved in the democratic process to ensure scrutiny and accountability. This grad scheme gave me the flexibility of moving around the house in different roles whilst expanding my knowledge as a generalist. As a humanities student through and through it’s fascinating to become an expert in something random like quantum technologies or research integrity, but that’s what makes this job so interesting!

The research skills I honed in my undergraduate and postgraduate have become really important, as being able to draft a report in two weeks is a challenge. Equally, skills of analysis are really important here. I think the skills I learned from taking part in the university charity Nightline taught me true impartiality which is really vital in this job!

I went straight into work from my MA, but eventually should have a procedural qualification as part of this job.

I’m not sure - I’d love to carry on working in politics, but maybe for an organisation such as WHO or the U.N. I definitely love working in the scrutiny body, it’s a really important job, but I’d love to use my interest in international politics and development a little more. Alternatively, I am considering eventually returning to University to do a PhD!

Just go for it - I didn’t think I’d get this job but now I’m doing it I love it! Take any opportunity offered to you and don’t feel trapped - there are so many different routes and sometimes you don’t realise how much you love something until you give It a go.

Thank you so much to Sheffield for giving me an amazing university experience and to the careers service for giving me great interview prep for getting the job!