When I found out my first rotation of the graduate scheme was to be in Public Affairs, I was pleased (and slightly nervous) to know that I would be jumping straight in at the deep end. With limited political knowledge, I was apprehensive about starting in an area where I knew my prior experience (or lack thereof) would not be nearly enough carry me through. After two weeks, however, I can safely say that I am thoroughly enjoying Public Affairs, and I have been made to feel totally welcome in this department. What is more, I could not have arrived at a more exciting time.

The next three weeks will see the Lib Dems, Labour and the Conservatives hold their annual Party Conferences. My first two weeks have been hectic to say the least, but I have always been a firm believer that the best way to learn is to throw yourself right into every task with as much energy as possible. And what better way to learn the ins and outs of the daily routine of the Public Affairs team than to be present during one of their busiest times of the year?! Thanks to the brilliant minds that surround me, I reckon my political knowledge has already increased tenfold. I am getting a real buzz of excitement working with people who are clearly so passionate about what they do, spending hours making sure that their clients have the best possible opportunities to meet with politicians and attend debates and speeches on subjects which are fundamentally linked to the interests of their business.

So far I have been lucky enough to work on accounts such as Starbucks and The Open University in the run up to the conferences. As an avid Starbucks fan, I was fascinated to learn about their Youth Action programme, which encourages young people across the country to participate in projects devised by other youngsters in their local community. Turns out that Starbucks are SO much more than just great (ethically sourced) coffee! Party Conference season is clearly an extremely important time for any business, offering a chance to discuss values and ideas with some of the most influential politicians around. And it’s up to the PA team to make sure that these opportunities are not missed.

As well as helping with all the preparation for Party Conference, I have had chances to hone my research and communication skills through media monitoring, political debate monitoring and stakeholder mapping. Some of the most exciting projects in which I’ve been involved are for clients working on planning applications: it’s so exciting to see different redevelopment plans taking shape. These projects could benefit many people in communities across the country. With each piece of work I complete, I can feel myself progressing and gaining an even better understanding of the importance of communication in the relationship between politics and business, and what it really means to work in Public Affairs.

I know that there is still so much more to learn, but I look forward to the challenges of each new day in this department. The next four weeks are going to prove invaluable. Thank you, PA team!