Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Students and Applicants

Does anyone have any ideas about what Work Experience placements would be useful for PPE or History and Politics?

I tried contacting my local MP but I've had no reply - other than that I just have a bank placement, which doesn't sound too interesting.

Thanks!

As far as I know, it's not too important.

I didn't have any work experience, although a few days in your local constituency office is quite good.

Just make sure you don't spend too long talking about it on your personal statement. They would rather know why you want to study the subject. But if you want to make it clear that politics is a field you would possibly like to go into some day, then it'l be fine to go on a bit more about it.

Although, this is just my non-work-experience-having opinion. What do others think?

I had a really good summer working in my local MP's office mostly on a report on the environment and Nottingham's record on green issues though I did some other things as well. But it was just great to not be stuck by a filing cabinet or the kettle like Rosa.

Anyway, from the point of view of having done some work experience I'd agree with everything pinkpenguin just said.

Any advice on how to get a placement for a local MP? Is an e-mail with cover letter and CV enough? That's what I did, and I didn't get a reply.

If one takes less lab-intensive courses in year one, like Evolution or (maybe) compsci, does that reduce the workload? Or do they make up for it in other ways? Or more generally, are there significant differences in workload between first year options?

And what is the confusing aspect about Ev&Behav practicals? that scares me because it sounds as though its not as clear a science as I thought it would be...

Any advice on how to get a placement for a local MP? Is an e-mail with cover letter and CV enough? That's what I did, and I didn't get a reply.

Can anyone give an excalibur-style answer for the other subjects, especially Physics and Mat&Min ? (As they've been barely breached yet).

this gets a mark on a 1/0 scale.

Geology: practicals 3 times a week, each one hour. Not assessed, most of the time can get away early.

Try W4mp.com. I was procrastinating and went on there earlier, discovered that our local MPs and candidates were looking for some campaign workers/interns, so I e-mailed a query about whether they may need any help over the holidays, didn't include a CV or anything, and wham bam, 6 hours later, I got an e-mailed basically offering me an internship in the local Constituency Office and a Parliamentary Office if I liked. Apparently the trick is to not be too picky . I applied for the Conservatives, despite be far far far left naturally. It's all experience . Wooo, I'm so happy.

Sorry if this looks a little like rubbing it in your face, I've had too much to drink and I got offered a job! My main point again - look for someone who's looking for interns/volunteers, and even if it's not suitable for you, try e-mailing them to ask if they have anything for suitable. Chances are they're looking for more than one person, and if it's for a campaign, they need all the help they can get .

Good luck!

Anecdotal evidence I know, but I heard from my AS Chemistry teacher that a previous student of hers was telling her that he had a practical that lasted eight hours.

Firstly, would something like this be feasible, and if so, would it be a common occurence or just a rarity?

Not to mention, that I can't really conceive of any practical that would last such a long time. What do you guys actually do in those practicals if you don't mind me asking.

Anecdotal evidence I know, but I heard from my AS Chemistry teacher that a previous student (who went to either Oxford or Cambridge) of hers was telling her that he had a practical that lasted eight hours.

Firstly, would something like this be feasible, and if so, would it be a common occurence or just a rarity?

Not to mention, that I can't really conceive of any practical that would last such a long time. What do you guys actually do in those practicals if you don't mind me asking.

That site looks like it's orientated around actually getting a job. Being fairly young still, I was just thinking about work experience (i.e. shadowing an MP without any political experience or qualifications needed). Is this the sort of placement that you got?

Firstly, would something like this be feasible, and if so, would it be a common occurence or just a rarity?

Not to mention, that I can't really conceive of any practical that would last such a long time. What do you guys actually do in those practicals if you don't mind me asking.

By the way, is anybody actually enjoying this course? Most comments I hear are sort of along the lines of "well some parts of it are quite interesting, BUT...". It sometimes sounds a bit more like a necessary evil than a pleasurable pursuit...or is that just standard student cynicism?