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Name: Wui Chyi Christopher Foo
Email address: wccfoo1@sheffield.ac.uk
Course and year of study: 3rd-year BA International Relations and Politics
University/ College: University of Sheffield
LinkedIn profile/URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wui-chyi-christopher-foo-2b3b861a1/
Company name and location of internship: KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific
Which year did you do your internship? 2020
At what point in your academic journey did you do your internship? Summer of my 2nd year
Which field was your internship in? Public Policy
How long was your internship? 2 months
Was your internship a location-based or virtual? Location-based
What was the application process like?
The application process was relatively simple. I wrote them an email to express my interest in becoming a research intern. I was then told to submit my CV, cover letter and two of my academic writings.
What were you looking to gain from the internship experience?
I was looking to gain an insight into how think tanks operate and the type of research they do. I was also looking to enhance my writing and research skills as a research intern.
What attracted you to the company for internship?
The fact that it was a relatively new think tank.
What did you enjoy the most about your internship?
Conducting independent, in-depth research on various political and public policy issues. Moreover, I also enjoyed attending the conferences hosted by the think tank I was interning at which featured high profile politicians, corporate individuals and civil servants.
What did you enjoy the least about your internship?
Writing proceedings reports for conferences because it was time consuming to summarise and select points that are deemed as "important" from many panel sessions.
What is the typical working day like?
7-hour working day where a lot of time is spent in front of the computer conducting research and writing.
What tasks were assigned to you during your internship?
Sourcing documents, policy papers, news and other forms of evidence for research purposes.
Writing a draft speech on the "Current Challenges Facing the Malaysian Economy" for The Honourable Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy).
Writing a draft speech on "Growing Partnership for Inclusive, Innovative and Sustainable Growth" for The Honourable Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.
Developing the foundations for a fact sheet on the leadership organisation of political parties in Malaysia and the UK.
Assisting in the writing of proceedings reports for conferences on banking, education and health.
Writing an op-ed on empowering the grassroots of political parties
What was the most challenging part of your internship?
Selecting points that are deemed as "important" in the speeches of numerous speakers at conferences into a one page document for proceeding reports.
How did the experience benefit your career in the future?
As someone who is interested in a possible career in public policy some time in the future, this internship taught me how to conduct research apolitically whereby facts matter more than one's personal beliefs.
Any advice you would like to give to the others who are looking for internship?
They should begin applying several months before they intend to start their internship. They should also prepare to commit to a minimum of two months for their internship. This is because most organisations require potential interns to work with them for at least two months.
Rate your overall internship experience: 4/5
How much did you learn during the internship? 5/5
How was the general atmosphere during your internship? 4/5
How difficult is the internship application process? 2/5
How valuable is your internship opportunities in deciding your future career path? 4/5
Are you satisfied with the salary you got from the internship? 2/5
How were the networking/social event opportunities? 4/5
To what extent did you feel being valued during the internship? 5/5
Would you recommend this internship to a friend and why?
Yes. This organisation gives research interns the opportunity to conduct independent research on topics agreeable to the think tank. The think tank is also open-minded on various views on political and public policy topics. Nevertheless, any independent work must be balanced with a commitment to more pressing tasks within the think tank
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