Internship at the NGO «Sex og Politics»

What tasks did you perform during your internship?

– During my internship, I was part of Sex og Politikk's sexuality education team, also called the national work team. My main task was to assist the team where needed, and the tasks were therefore very varied. When I started, I worked a lot on planning an Anti-Gender seminar, which was a collaborative project between Sex og Politikk and the International Planned Parenthood Federations (IPPF) sister organizations in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. There was a lot of emailing between the participants, as well as planning programs and workshops. As an intern, I was also assigned several times to write articles for Sex og Politikk's own website, and because of that I got insight in many exciting projects that I was not directly involved in, such as the launch of the Week 6 campaign at the Norwegian Parliament in February.

Later in the spring, I also worked on drafts and research for input to hearings at the Parliament, and thus gained insight into how relevant organizations contributed to, for example, the White Paper on Sexual Harassment, as well as the final round of The Consent Act for consultation. The tasks were generally diverse, but always grounded in the weekly team meetings, where I was given assignments for projects, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the working community's input on other colleagues' projects.

How did you use skills you have acquired from your education at the Faculty of Humanities?

– Gender Studies and interdisciplinary humanities/social sciences expertise are directly relevant to the work with sexual and reproductive rights that Sex and Politics has as its main task. The knowledge I have, both from my bachelor's degree in sociology and what I have learned so far in the master's degree, was essential as a backdrop for research around positions of power in sexual harassment, the inclusion of queer and other minorities in sexuality education, and generally where debates around Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) lie in politics. The team I was part of also had a varied background, from a teaching background to a social worker, so being able to align myself interdisciplinary was essential.

What do you think is or was the greatest benefit from your internship?

– What I got the most out of it was simply seeing what the working days in such an organization might look like, especially how teamwork works, and how one can influence national politics. I have also long thought about taking a pedagogical education after my master's degree, and it was therefore very useful to gain some insight into how Sex and Politics develops sexuality education that is inclusive, holistic, and available in multiple teaching languages.

Anything else you would like to add?

– Work placements are highly recommended! Not only do you get a break from your daily studies and get to work in an office or similar, but you also get something on your diploma that can give future employers a clue to what gender studies can be used for in the workplace. The best tips for fellow students regarding internships may be obvious, but are worth repeating, try to apply early, and remember that you are providing free work, and it therefore does not hurt to ask, remember to ask for a certificate when you have finished, and dare to take space in the workplace, even if you are ‘new’.

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