University – University of St Andrews
Qualification – Undergraduate in Social Sciences (Social Anthropology)
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Job hunting experience – At the time I began this internship, I was in fact still studying a MRes in Social Anthropology. The need to find additional work partly conflicted with the demands of my course and I didn’t for a moment anticipate finding employment that would not only fit my aspirations so well but also complement my research, so I was stunned when this opportunity came up!
Internship – Distribution and Outreach Support, LifeMosaic
Roles and responsibilities – I joined LifeMosaic just as they were putting the finishing touches to a video toolkit for indigenous peoples about land grabs and land rights. My work has ranged from designing and implementing the online launch of the video toolkit in Bahasa Indonesia and English; researching the situation of indigenous peoples and land rights in various countries in South America and Eastern Africa and producing policy briefs; facilitating distribution and dissemination of the toolkit through social media and by contacting indigenous peoples’ organisations and groups across Africa and Latin America and hosting screenings of LifeMosaic’s videos at the COP21 climate change negotiations.
My internship was initially set to last for three months, but this subsequently evolved into nearly nine months of work. I have really appreciated being able to work as part of a small, vibrant and focused team of people who radiate passion for what they do. As a Spanish-speaker, I have relished the opportunity to be able to use my language-skills with such frequency.
Where are you now? – I will soon be moving on from LifeMosaic to return to South America, where I will be working with a community-based organisation on their socio-environmental justice program, working closely with communities impacted by extractive industries.
“Through Adopt an Intern, I have been able to work with a small NGO, which otherwise would not have had the resources to take me on. From the application process, which was swift and straightforward, to the internship itself, I have learnt a great deal in a short time. I have worked with some inspiring people who have extensive experience in a field to which I am relatively new. I have had a wholly positive experience of Adopt an Intern. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope others can benefit similarly.”
Thomas Younger
Adopt an Intern Alumni
Distribution and Outreach Support with LifeMosaic
