Students at the University of Aberdeen’s Department of Politics and International Relations are set to get hands on experience of life in the Scottish Parliament, thanks to an innovative scheme introduced this year and funded by the Carnegie Trust.
Seven students about to enter their final year are shadowing individual MSPs and others in involved in the Scottish parliament during summer and autumn 2000.
Professor Grant Jordan, Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations said: “I was very pleased that the Carnegie Trust agreed to support this three year experiment.
“We are acting as a pilot for future programmes and this initial stage is being funded by a £21,600 grant form the Trust. Initially, it is open to politics students only but our remit is to expand the scheme to include other disciplines and other Scottish Higher Education institutions. During this pilot stage, students have been placed either with MSPs or party offices but, in the future, we will hope to extend that to the Scottish Executive and Parliament’s administration.
“There is no doubt that employers look for graduates who have shown some initiative in their University life. And there are now quite extensive career opportunities in political and current affairs research. We are grateful for the support of the MSPs of all parties in taking this forward with such enthusiasm.”
One of the MSPs participating in the scheme is David Davidson, Tory MSP for North East Scotland. Mr Davidson said: I am delighted to be able to take part in this scheme. I suggested it to Professor Jordan some time ago as an ideal way of giving students an opportunity to see MSPs at work at to discover how Parliament actually operates.
“In return, it keeps me close to the thinking of some people and adds to their theoretical training at University in a very practical way. I am looking forward very much to working with my Intern and I can promise him that he will have a very busy time ahead!”
Troon-born Kirstin McLarty is one of the students involved in the scheme and is shadowing Labour MSP for Aberdeen Central, Lewis Macdonald. Kirstin said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to find out what happens behind the scenes and to see if this is a career I really want to follow.
“So far, I have sat in on the First Minister’s Question Time and attended the Ethical Standards Bill Debate which included discussion of Section 28. I will also be carrying out some research into transport issues in Aberdeen which will involve key players on the subject. I will certainly be honing my interview skills!”
Lewis Macdonald, MSP added: “I regard this as a highly practical way of involving someone just learning the business as we ourselves are just developing this new democratic institution.”
Jennifer Lane, also about to enter her final year in political studies, is working with Elaine Thomson, Labour MSP for Aberdeen North. Jennifer added: “At the moment, I am working on a report on housing stock transfer in Aberdeen and am gaining all sorts of experience from improving my computer abilities to enhancing my computer skills. At the end of the internship, I will have a clearer idea of whether I want to have a career as a political researcher or even an MP!”
The full list of MSPs and others involved are:
David Davidson, MSP
John McAllion MSP
Lewis Macdonald MSP
Nora Radcliffe. MSP
Elaine Thomson, MSP
Labour Party Parliamentary Resources Office, Edinburgh
SNP Research Team
Further Information:
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.