Navigating the World of Public Affairs: Reflections as a Cratus Summer Intern
As my time as a Summer Intern in Cratus Group’s Advocacy team comes to an end, it presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on the experience.
I am currently a student at Durham University, where I am heading into my final year studying Economics, History, and Politics as part of a Combined Honours in Social Sciences BA. Alongside my studies, I play for Durham’s Netball 1st team, so working with a fast-paced, team-oriented communications agency during my summer break felt like a good fit.
I joined Cratus during a dynamic period, soon after the July General Election where our Managing Director Jennifer Riddell Carpenter was elected as the new Member of Parliament for Suffolk Coastal, leaving the team with an MP-sized gap to fill. It was a bit daunting, but I was lucky to tackle this opportunity with another intern, Scarlet Margaroli.
Immediately, I was welcomed warmly by the Advocacy team, who are not only exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced — having worked close to national government for longer than I’ve been alive – but also incredibly approachable. As an intern with this team, I have been actively engaged in a variety of projects that have kept me both busy and interested. My responsibilities have included supporting company directors in preparing for meetings with clients and politicians, as well as contributing to major long-term initiatives focused on MP engagement and the social issues surrounding economic inactivity. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to contribute on analytical reports and blogs on the latest political developments, including analysis of the King’s Speech and the recently published Grenfell Inquiry report.
I have also taken on the responsibility of researching weekly current affairs briefs for construction clients and social housing groups, covering topics from national to local politics. Furthermore, I conducted research on key figures, including Cabinet ministers, MPs, SpAds and Metro Mayors. The research and projects I have worked on have been both engaging and valuable, enhancing my understanding of the intersection between politics, policy and industry. A memorable highlight was attending Cratus’s Parliamentary Drinks Reception at the end of July, where I had the valuable opportunity to connect with both newly elected and returning MPs.
Beyond my work with Advocacy, the wider Cratus team has been very welcoming, and I have been energised by the team’s cohesiveness and value driven environment. I’ve been fortunate to gain insights from other teams, such as the Planning Team, which has significantly deepened my understanding of the UK’s planning system and how it might evolve under the Labour Government. Overall, I am incredibly grateful to everyone at Cratus for having me all summer. The experience has been fun, interesting and valuable and I look forward to staying in touch with everyone as I complete my studies.
