The Experience Paradox and how to break it?

[Snufflebutt]

So I've just finished my Masters and am looking for an internship to give me experience in the type of role that I want. But I've applied for loads of internships and the most common complaint about my applications that I don't have enough experience in the kind of role that I want. The frustration is that some of these internships are funded under the guise of giving graduates experience, yet they are rejecting applicants for not having enough. Just so so frustrating. I'm looking at roles involving social research, think tanks, pubic policy and stuff like that.

Went back to one of the employers and said I'd work for free. I do know that there might be money in it eventually, and I went for a chat previously and the interviewer said she thought I was very good but there was no funding available. But it just means I'll be working god knows how much with my shitty paying job in a restaurant. So I suppose, what I'm wondering is, is there an alternative? And how should I play the meeting with the guy to discuss what I can work in the unpaid job?

[grumpyhack]

In part it may depend on the subject in which you have a masters. May daughter has a first in politics and a masters in International Development and worked for five months on a relief project in Cameroon. So far since returning to the UK all she's been offered are unpaid internships.

We're going to have the world's best qualified bar staff.

[Snufflebutt]

In part it may depend on the subject in which you have a masters. May daughter has a first in politics and a masters in International Development and worked for five months on a relief project in Cameroon. So far since returning to the UK all she's been offered are unpaid internships.

We're going to have the world's best qualified bar staff.

Edited September 23, 2011 by Snufflebutt

[minute5072]

Oh, and tell your daughter to have a look at 'Adopt an Intern' - its a site full of internships for the kind of subjects she's interested in. Theres a particular vacancy looking for those with masters degrees in European or International politics (or similar) that might be of use - she probably hasn't heard of it because it's on a scottish website.

[grumpyhack]

Oh, and tell your daughter to have a look at 'Adopt an Intern' - its a site full of internships for the kind of subjects she's interested in. Theres a particular vacancy looking for those with masters degrees in European or International politics (or similar) that might be of use - she probably hasn't heard of it because it's on a scottish website.

[Snufflebutt]

But she's in Bristol/Cardiff. Does the site lead to internships South of the Border?

Edited September 23, 2011 by Snufflebutt

[Rufus Gwertigan]

How realistic is it for you to stay in academia? Many uni's are do Phd's and you work as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for a bursary (at Salford it's 13k with fee waiver). A hell of a commitment I know, but an option for many.

The career path I am taking has an experience requirement. We can only apply for the Masters/Doctorate when we have completed our degree and we need to have gained approx a years experience in the field in between. I

[Snufflebutt]

How realistic is it for you to stay in academia? Many uni's are do Phd's and you work as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for a bursary (at Salford it's 13k with fee waiver). A hell of a commitment I know, but an option for many.

The career path I am taking has an experience requirement. We can only apply for the Masters/Doctorate when we have completed our degree and we need to have gained approx a years experience in the field in between. I

Edited September 25, 2011 by Snufflebutt