Postgraduate internship: Maitreyi Tusharika
Maitreyi Tusharika shares her experiences of undertaking a postgraduate internship at the University of St Andrews.
My story – Maitreyi Tusharika
- Course: Management
- Year of study when you completed this internship: Graduate (Class of 2022)
- Employer: University of St Andrews, School of International Relations – The Third Generation Project
Why did you apply for this internship?
I was looking to build my experience during the summer; but my primary motivation, specific to this internship came from the purpose and values of the organisation. I love what The Third Generation Project stands for and was keen on contributing to their purpose in an impactful capacity.
Describe the application process and what you learnt from the different stages
There were two key stages to the application process; I was required to submit a CV and Cover Letter and was later shortlisted and interviewed by members of the team. It is always tricky to write cover letters for opportunities such as these, and I was focused on channeling my eagerness and passion for the role. I maintained the same enthusiasm through the interview, which turned out quite personable as it progressed; I found it reaffirmed the shared values and motivations that encouraged me to apply in the first place.
In which department/professional unit/organisation was the internship based?
The Third Generation Project, a think tank based in the School of International Relations.
Describe the team/organisation
The Third Generation Project is a think tank that leverages impactful research and intersectional education to mobilize positive climate justice change. They are a uniquely structured organisation wherein they operate as a flat hierarchy. All core members of the teamwork alongside each other with specific roles catering to the success of different functions of their operations. In simpler words, there is no one particular person to ‘report to’ and responsibilities are equally distributed.
What were your main tasks as part of this internship?
As part of the six-week internship, my main focus was on organisational development and policy creation. I worked on researching and curating procedures related to communications, consulting, image sharing; but also laid out recommendations for how they could internally manage digital knowledge files and approach activism publicly.
What key transferable skills did you develop?
Compared to the previous work experiences that I have had, this internship allowed me to hone my research skills to a considerable extent. I was able to learn so much about how organisation run, the importance of internal policies, but also recognizing the nuances in a flat hierarchy.
What did you learn and gain through completing the internship?
I was able to particularly value the importance of robust and effective internal policies for organisations, no matter the size or mission. I was also able to learn so much about the importance of climate justice education through attending meetings and reviewing material that was shared with me.The skills and learnings I gained from the internship will follow me beyond the 6 weeks of this internship.
I particularly enjoyed working in the TGP office in the school of International Relations! It was an in-person opportunity after a long time of virtual experiences, and Ali was so friendly and nice on the day that I was able to work with her.
What is next for you in your career journey?
I have now graduated from the University of St Andrews and commenced a job as a Tax Analyst with Deloitte, a big four accounting firm.
Would you recommend this internship to others?
Absolutely, particularly for those who enjoy working closely with members of an organisation. The size and structure of TGP allowed for a sociable and learning experience, and there is so much growth opportunity in the future, it would be a great addition to a person’s professional growth!
Get involved if you are truly passionate about what the organisation is doing! Do not be afraid of bringing your ideas to the table.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently for others to be aware of?
I wish I collaborated with more members of the team than I did (I focused mostly on engaging with the founder and my line manager).