Sarah Ash will be putting her UNBC Political Science degree to use next year through the B.C. Legislative Internship Program.

Ash graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree this spring. She will get first-hand experience working at a ministry office, a party caucus office, and a Member of the Legislative Assembly’s constituency office during the 25-week program that begins in January.

“What drew me to the internship is the vast array of duties the interns get to experience,” Ash says. “This internship exposes recent grads to many areas of provincial politics and is a great beginning to many career paths.”

Ash has long been interested in a career in public service and her studies at UNBC opened her eyes to the many possibilities that exist in the political and civil service spheres. 

“I hope this internship provides me some guidance as to where I would like to go in the future by giving me the ability to experience some of my areas of interest,” she says. “The first-hand experience I’ll gain working with government policies and legislation will be beneficial for many of the jobs I will be interested in applying for once the internship is complete.”

Launched in 1976, the internship program provides recent graduates with the chance to gain exposure to public policy-making and legislative processes. In previous years interns have been able to conduct research for ministries, assist in speech writing for MLAs, attend legislative sittings and committee meetings, and meet with cabinet ministers, members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery and senior public servants.

Ash knows her time at UNBC has set her up for success. 

“UNBC prepared me to look at the larger picture of topics and have the ability to connect concepts,” she says. “I believe that my experience at UNBC has increased my critical thinking skills and it will be greatly beneficial to take these skills and apply them in the workplace.”

Ash, who hails from Prince George, chose UNBC because of the opportunity to study in smaller classes and stay closer to home.

“I felt like I could engage further with course materials and had professors who would always take the time to answer questions that made you feel like you were not just another number,” she says. “The smaller campus also meant more opportunities to engage in student activities and leadership opportunities.”

This fall, Ash will have the opportunity to indicate her preference for her placements, but she will not find out exactly where she will be working until the new year. Regardless of what offices she will be assigned to, Ash knows the experience will be meaningful.

“Speaking to the other interns, I find we are all very eager to find out where we will be placed but are open and excited to any placement we receive,” she says.