Placement Profiles
Gahena Parmar is an MPA Public Administration student. She had a placement at Nottinghamshire County Council, within the Ageing Well Integrated Strategic Commissioning team.
“I was a Commissioning Assistant Intern. My role involved conducting research, analysing data, reviewing local authority websites for accessibility and content quality, preparing internal reports, and contributing to projects related to the Carers Strategy.
I also had the opportunity to attend multi-agency board meetings and share my findings with stakeholders from the NHS, Nottingham City Council, and carer organisations.
As an international master’s student in public administration from India, I chose to undertake a placement to gain first-hand experience of the UK’s local governance and adult social care system - an area that is less developed in my home country. I wanted to see how policies are implemented at the local level and to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application.
I used several skills gained from my degree, including:
- professional communication: writing reports, tailoring communication for various audiences
- digital capabilities: analysing websites and using online platforms for research
- policy analysis and strategic thinking
- time management and reflective practice
The theoretical frameworks from my coursework, especially in public policy and governance, helped me understand the broader context of my tasks.
There is lots of support in finding a placement. I had:
- interview preparation
- a pre-placement workshop
- a post-placement experience workshop
These helped me refine my CV, develop interview techniques, and reflect on my learning.
My placement supervisor and the commissioning team were incredibly supportive. I received:
- regular feedback.
- access to internal meetings and strategy discussions.
- encouragement to work independently while still being guided when needed. This balance helped me develop confidence while learning within a structured framework.
The placement has sharpened my career focus. It confirmed my interest in working within the public sector. It has also broadened my understanding of how local councils function and how research can inform policy decisions. I now feel more confident in pursuing roles that combine data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and public service delivery.
My advice to someone thinking of doing a placement is to absolutely go for it. A placement is one of the best ways to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
Be open to learning, even when tasks seem small - they often contribute to bigger strategic goals. Also, reflect regularly on your experience to maximize your personal and professional growth.
The placement has boosted my confidence, expanded my network of professionals, and gave me real-world examples to discuss in job interviews. The skills I gained in communication, digital literacy, and critical reflection have made me a stronger candidate for future roles in public service. It has also confirmed my long-term goal of working in public policy, both in the UK and internationally.
As an international student, I was initially unsure about navigating a UK-based work environment, but the placement turned out to be incredibly welcoming and supportive. It challenged me in the best ways and gave me space to build real-world skills while feeling part of a team.”
Find out more about our placement programme