Testimonials

My internship through the John Smith Centre was more than just a stepping stone—it was a transformative journey. It’s an experience that not only helped me build professional skills but also gave me the confidence to navigate the complexities of public service. If you’re someone who’s eager to grow, to challenge yourself, and to make a real impact, this program will give you the platform to do exactly that.

What makes this internship so unique is the balance it strikes between learning and contributing. You’re not just an observer—you’re an active part of the team, trusted with meaningful work that makes a difference. Whether it’s drafting motions, managing impactful projects, or witnessing leadership in action, every moment is an opportunity to develop your skills and deepen your understanding of public service.

Most importantly, this internship empowers you to see your own potential. There’s something truly inspiring about being immersed in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment—one where your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions have value.

If you’re even considering applying, my advice is simple: go for it. You’ll leave the experience not just with a stronger résumé, but with a stronger sense of who you are and what you’re capable of achieving.

My time as a Parliamentary Intern has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences of my academic journey. Getting the opportunity to work for the office of Anas Sarwar offered an incredible front-row seat to the inner workings of Scottish politics. From policy discussions to constituency work and everything in between, the experience pushed me intellectually, challenged my assumptions, and gave me the space to develop a wide range of skills that will serve me far beyond the programme.

Anas and his team were so welcoming, the work was meaningful, and the exposure to both high-level strategy and grassroots casework made for a deeply well-rounded experience. I can’t recommend this internship enough to anyone even remotely curious about public service or politics. It’s a genuinely special opportunity.

My internship at the John Smith Centre has been a redefining experience, helping to shape both my professional aspirations and grow myself as a person.

Working intimately alongside an incredibly talented MSP and his team gave me invaluable insight into what true public service looks like and significantly sharpened my professional abilities. Whether I was drafting policy research, writing press releases, or engaging with constituents and hearing their stories, the diverse and dynamic nature of the work has helped to both challenge and improve myself. It brought home to me the importance of competent and humble leadership as well as the ability to bridge gaps in politics and local communities. This experience not only clarified the path I hope to follow in my future career by pursuing a job in the public sector, but also helped me grow into a more capable and confident individual.

I would strongly recommend anyone contemplating applying for the John Smith Centre parliamentary internship to go ahead and do so, as I can promise that it will be a truly unique and enriching experience.

My experience as a John Smith Centre intern was incredibly rewarding and has opened up so many doors for me. I had the opportunity to work with Collette Stevenson MSP, the Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, which gave me invaluable insight into the world of politics and public service. Seeing how Collette balanced her responsibilities to her constituents while advancing meaningful policies was truly inspiring.

Throughout my internship, I was involved in a variety of tasks, from writing motions and compiling reports to managing casework and attending events at the Scottish Parliament. One of the most memorable experiences was facilitating a partnership between Collette and The 93% Club, which led to plans for an exhibition and a workshop day at Parliament, aimed at supporting state school students. This opportunity not only enhanced my project management skills but also reinforced my passion for social justice.

Most importantly, engaging directly with constituents and witnessing how their concerns were addressed highlighted the true meaning of public service for me. This experience has confirmed my passion for working in the public sector and has made me even more excited about pursuing a legal traineeship with the Scottish Government. I am incredibly grateful to the John Smith Centre for this opportunity and the impact it has had on my career aspirations. I would recommend this program to anyone who has an interest in politics in Scotland.

The John Smith Centre’s Parliamentary Internship really has changed my life. The connections that I have made whilst working in the constituency office of Graeme Dey MSP will carry with me throughout my future career in public service. The experience that I gained throughout the programme was vital in both my professional and personal development. Getting the chance to work and interact with the public helped me boost my confidence in public service and has definitely made me consider a more active role in local politics going forward.

My work in the constituency office involved a variety of tasks that really gave me a taster of what an MSP’s schedule was like. This involved constituency meetings, casework, and days in the parliament. All of this offered me the unique opportunity to travel around Angus, as well as work in Edinburgh for the first time.

The staff at the Centre were supportive of me throughout the process and made sure that I was able to make the most out of working in an MSP’s office. They offered me a wealth of knowledge and helped me immediately with any questions or issues that I was having, without them the internship would not have been as excellent an experience as it could have been.

Overall, I would recommend anyone with a passion for public service and an interest in Scottish politics apply to the programme, it could change your life!

The John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship has been one of the best experiences I’ve had the chance to undertake. Through this experience, I’ve gained skills in writing briefings, crafting social media posts, conducting research, preparing MSPs for television interviews, and dealing with casework. I know all these skills will stand me in good stead for the future. Additionally, my host MSP, Gillian Mackay, and her team were absolutely fantastic and ensured I felt welcome and properly part of the team from day one.

To anyone considering applying for the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship, I say: do it! Not only will you gain a multitude of incredibly useful skills, you will also build a network both with the John Smith Centre and your MSP and their team. I look forward to where these skills and networks will take me in the future and cannot thank the John Smith Centre enough for this opportunity.

Interning with Anas Sarwar MSP has been exhilarating and eye-opening. I was trusted to carry out important, rewarding work, from writing speeches and interview responses to drafting press releases and policy briefings. As a shy, relatively unconfident 20-year old, during my internship I felt genuinely accepted and included by all staffers. It’s been a privilege to meet such committed, warm individuals – a reminder that behind the hostility and indignity of some public-facing aspects of politics are people who want to make a difference.

I cannot thank the John Smith Centre enough, not just for giving students this opportunity to demonstrate their worth and talent, but for being attentive to the socio-economic injustices which mean, too often, people whose lived experiences are the most valuable to this field of work feel the least encouraged to pursue it. Gaining access to Parliament, making connections and practising skills in a practical context has made a career in politics seem genuinely achievable. For that, I will always be grateful.

My experience as a John Smith Centre intern has opened up so many doors for me. I was given the honour of working with Humza Yousaf MSP. The internship provided me with an invaluable insight into the world of politics and public service, as I witnessed first-hand the way in which my host MSP balanced his role as First Minister, with the responsibility he has to his constituents. Through this experience I got to work with the incredibly supportive staff in the constituency office, and I have now been able to start developing my own network to call on for my future career.

During the internship, I was able to see the inner workings of our political system, completing casework, shadowing my MSP, and even visiting the Scottish Parliament. However, most importantly, I was given the chance to regularly meet constituents and local charities, an experience which made clear to me the true meaning of public service, reinforcing politics as a force for good. The John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship has changed my life, confirmed to me my passion for politics, and made me extremely excited for my future career in public service.

My internship with Bob Doris MSP was truly enriching. Throughout my time there, the entire office team provided unwavering support, helping me develop a diverse skill set that I am confident will benefit me in the future.

The main focus of my internship was casework, offering valuable insight into the challenges faced by residents of Maryhill and Springburn. Working alongside a team committed to improving lives daily was a privilege. The experiences I gained have bolstered my ability to tackle competency-based questions, with prospective employers also noting the value of having the MSP role on my CV when deciding who to interview.

During my internship, my written communication skills improved significantly, and I had ample opportunity to seek guidance from Bob, who patiently addressed all my inquiries. However, the true value of my experience lay in the abundance of resources I discovered while working with Bob and his team.

Since completing my internship, I have actively participated in various Cross-party groups and joined organisations dedicated to hosting informative policy events for the public and MSPs alike.

Yet, the most invaluable aspect of my internship was the connections I made with peers and colleagues. Networking has already proven fruitful, providing access to lesser-known job opportunities and invaluable advice for interviews and data sources for my upcoming dissertation. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity provided by the John Smith Centre and the mentorship and support from Bob Doris MSP and his office.

“Originally, I was attracted to the John Smith Centre’s mission to open up politics to people who have often felt left behind and to have us all view democracy as a viable means of bettering our lives. I arrived at the internship hoping that, if anything, I could push myself a little beyond my comfort zone and gain some interesting talking points to bring up in future interviews. It is safe to say I got both and so much more!

I began work with Humza Yousaf MSP and his phenomenal constituency office, gaining insight into serving constituents and learning invaluable knowledge of the role of Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. With that I was already thrilled… then I had the once-in-a-vicennial chance to witness first-hand a Scottish National Party leadership campaign. After a successful campaign, which I had the chance to get involved with in my spare time, I benefitted from the unique opportunity to shadow the First Minister, gaining unprecedented access to the top of Scotland’s political system.

I cannot possibly adequately express my thanks to the John Smith Centre, my host MSP and the constituency team for all coming together to offer me this huge hand-up in my career development.”

“My experience as a John Smith Centre intern has been an eye-opening experience. I have learnt about the way public service in Scotland delivers for our people.

During the internship, I helped with the drafting of briefings, motions and other communications for my MSP and worked both in the constituency office and in Parliament, learning from his team about their involvement in public service. In doing so, I also learned the value of holding those in positions of responsibility to account – a key part of our democracy!

I have made many friends along the way, especially with the other interns and those in my office which has given me a broader network of likeminded people!

It is amazing to think of how much I’ve learnt in the last 10 weeks! Without a doubt this experience has inspired me to pursue a career in public service.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a John Smith Centre Parliamentary intern. Being a medical student with no previous experience in the political sector it was eye opening to see the work that MSPs and their office staff do on a daily basis. I was welcomed openly into the team from day 1 and supported throughout.

During my internship I had the opportunity to complete several tasks such as gathering research, writing briefs, constructing blog posts and completing case work. I also had the opportunity to accompany my MSP into parliament and understand that side to her role. This internship not only expanded my knowledge in a foreign yet crucial subject which will undoubtedly aid me in my future career, but it also allowed me to expand my skillset. I learned to present my ideas and communicate appropriately through both verbal and written communications in this new professional setting as well as developing my team working ability to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. This allowed me to learn a lot from my peers and co-workers, allowing for crucial personal and professional development.

This experience was an invaluable stepping stone to my future career. After being inspired by the work I have seen in parliament and at the constituency office, I hope to incorporate aspects of policy making into my future career.”

“As a 4th year economics student at the University of Glasgow, I had the privilege of working with Ross Greer MSP through the John Smith Centre’s parliamentary internship programme. I have always been interested in the way that economic research feeds through to decision-making in politics, and this internship provided me with the insightful opportunity to observe this process first hand and improve my skills in communicating economic ideas to different audiences.

The staff at the John Smith Centre did an excellent job of matching me with the right MSP office. Working in parliament alongside the Scottish Greens parliamentary group with colleagues from a range of policy areas and responsibilities, I learned a lot about how the party makes communication and policy decisions day-to-day based on rapidly changing media narratives. It was fascinating to observe the party’s role both as a partner and scrutiniser of government, and to see how MSPs interact with their communities. Ross Greer was a great mentor, giving me plenty of space to focus on the policy areas I am most interested in while providing valuable advice and guidance. I decided to focus on the issue of council tax reform and through my research and analysis, I hope to expedite the case for reform.

Overall, I would strongly recommend any student interested in policymaking, public service, or communications to apply for the John Smith Centre parliamentary internship.”

“My experience as a John Smith Centre intern has been quite genuinely life changing. I have gained exposure to a world of work that I have always found fascinating – but otherwise would not have had the courage nor the opportunity to access.

During the internship, I had the experiences of helping my constituents, working in parliament, and of learning directly from an elected representative about their own pathway into politics. In doing so, I also learned the value of advocating for those who do not have the platform to advocate for themselves – something that can only be achieved when we demonstrate that accessing help from your local politician isn’t a privilege reserved only for those who back them at the polls.

As a direct result of the programme, I have made friends for life – and I have also been lucky enough to secure a permanent position in the office of my host MSP.

It is amazing to think that in the space of just ten weeks, I have blossomed so much as an individual – and that as a result – I have embarked on what I hope will be a lifelong trajectory of working in public service and promoting its value.”

“I am abundantly grateful to the John Smith Centre for awarding me the opportunity to complete an internship in the Constituency Office of Nicola Sturgeon MSP. It has been a hugely rewarding experience which has taught me a great deal about the world of public service. From working with constituents to shadowing the First Minister in meetings, I was able to experience the nature of an MSP’s work first-hand.

My personal and professional development as a result of the internship have been absolutely invaluable and I feel so much more confident in my abilities than I did before.

Despite my previous voluntary experience, personal interest and academic studies in politics, the real-world experience which my placement offered me has been critically important in gaining a truthful understanding of the public sector.

I am looking forward to bringing the skills and experiences which I have been lucky to gain forward to future opportunities. For anybody interested in politics and public service, this internship is the perfect opportunity to take the first steps towards a career in these areas.”

“The John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme was an incredibly valuable experience.

I participated in a range of activities from speech writing to casework. My work had meaning and I felt that my work was making a positive difference within the local community. The people, experience and work that I participated within was invaluable.

As a first-generation university student from a working-class background, I never assumed that I would be paid to work within the Scottish Parliament!”

“The John Smith Centre is a unique and hugely beneficial platform, providing young people with an opportunity to experience politics and the public service for themselves. The Parliamentary Internship Programme in particular allows young people a chance to delve into the inner workings of government, giving them insightful experiences which they would not be able to experience otherwise.

The programme does not discriminate and actively supports young people no matter their background with the aim to reinstall trust back into the government and public services by uplifting and supporting interns they are inspiring a new generation into politics – with an ideology to help people through democracy and having the necessary passion not focused on power or greed.”

“As a fourth year Law and Politics Student the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme gave me an incredible insight into the practicalities of working in public service on a day to day basis.

“In a short space of time I had completed an immense variety of work. One week I was undertaking in depth research on policy and the next I was summarising briefing papers for committee meetings.

“The internship was hugely beneficial and allowed my confidence and skillset to grow – I would recommend it to anyone who even in passing thinks about public service as a future career path.

“After completing this programme I realised that no matter how much you study politics and follow along with current affairs, having a more focused insight into what politicians, their teams and the wider network of Holyrood do day to day is far more informative.

“The John Smith Centre internship has opened so many doors for me and has given me the confidence to look for those opportunities within the public sector. I would highly recommend this internship as the knowledge and experience you will gain will be unique and invaluable and will open you up to so many possibilities and opportunities.

“In the lead up to the end of my degree the experience I had a the JSC is the most influential thing on my decision regarding future prospects and possible paths as now have a better and more informative understanding of what to expect within the sector and what the work will entail.”

“Hi All! My name is Carolyn and I was one of the first cohorts of John Smith Centre interns back in 2017.

“Since then, I went on to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Politics in 2018, and in 2019 I completed a Masters Degree in Global Economy.

“Following my graduation from University, I was successful in gaining a place on the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate scheme which is consistently ranked in the top 3 UK graduate schemes, and have just begun my second year on the scheme.

“I honestly don’t think I’d have been able to achieve what I have so far without the knowledge and experience gained from my internship. It massively built my confidence and gave me invaluable public service experience which I feel helped me stand out when applying for the Civil Service.

“I was able to give real-world examples from my internship at the assessment centers and received feedback from the assessors that this really stood out to them and that they were impressed by the largely unique internship experience that I had.

“I feel that the JSC internship gave me the tools I needed to take the next steps in my career following University and that it really stands out to employers. I would encourage anyone interested in a career in government or public service to apply and I look forward to seeing how the Centre continues to grow!”

“My internship was extremely varied, and no two days were the same. I was exposed to a wide variety of constituency office life – surgeries, casework and visits to third sector organisations based in the constituency. I also got to spend time at the Scottish Parliament and had the opportunity to accompany Mr Yousaf to ministerial meetings and engagements in Parliament and at outside agencies.

“I found my internship to be a hugely rewarding experience which has opened doors for me that I could not possibly have opened on my own. Following my internship I worked part time for the John Smith Centre to expand the Parliamentary Internship Programme and in Humza Yousaf’s constituency office as a Constituency Assistant.

“The range of opportunities I was given through the links and contacts I developed over the course of my internship is beyond anything that I could have possibly imagined when I first applied for a place on the Internship Programme.

“The internship, and the associated opportunities that it led to, also gave me the confidence to apply for and then to secure a place on a highly competitive graduate job programme at one of Scotland’s leading financial institutions.

“My Parliamentary Internship really was a life-changing experience for me.”