Dear fellow interns,
The InternBoard has been discussing with HR the most pressing issues for the ILO interns, as well as possible solutions to address those. These are the main topics being discussed at the moment: 1 - It is urgent that internships are recognized as 'working experience' rather than 'learning experience'. While discussion continues with HR, the IB has been advised by the Union to request a mandatory certificate clearly recognizing the work we have accomplished during the internship. 2 - The internship's monitoring and feedback tools need to be improved. It is the IB's conviction that at least 3 compulsory meetings (welcome/mid-internship/exit) should be set up during the internship between the intern and the supervisor for mutual feedback. Plus, interns should be surveyed at the end of their internship about their experience at the ILO. 3 - Despite the recent increase of the stipend (thanks to the efforts of former and current interns), the total amount is still not enough to cover the living costs in Geneva. The stipend must be increased to allow equal access to ILO internship scheme regardless of applicants' social and geographic background. 4 - Apply equal or similar internship conditions to field offices’ interns, who seem to be most isolated and vulnerable. It is crucial that we clarify their situation. If you want to learn more about the IB's work or get involved, drop a line below or at [email protected]. All comments and suggestions are very welcome!
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On Feb 7, 2015, the ILO interns visited CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Coming from a broad array of social science backgrounds, most of us find the experience refreshing from our policy desk job routine.
The tour included an hour of presentation from the physicist, a walking tour in the compound, a movie, and detailed explanation from the history of CERN to the discovery of Higgs Boson. Coming next: visit to the Red Cross Museum! Lutz Gschwind, German, 25 years old What have you studied and where have you worked before? I studied political science and public administration at Konstanz University (Germany) for my undergraduate. The internship is part of my master’s programme in political science at Uppsala University (Sweden). What department do you work in and what is your role? My department is the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). More precisely I am working for the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK). So it actually means a lot of different things. The focus of my internship is, however, quite clear and easy to understand. It’s about new technologies, like smartphones, and their effects on working time and work-life balance. What was the best thing about your work experience at the ILO? Getting responsibility and respect for what I do, like any other member of the team (as well as enough time for coffee breaks with my fellow interns). Since I am always involved in important work of the department, I learn a lot more about the ILO than I could have during all my studies so far. This insight provides me with a real experience about how it is to work for an International Organization. Could you name one good memory you will take away with you? A scary building can host very wonderful people! What's next? Finish my master’s degree. Get some sunshine (and maybe come back to Geneva soon). Hello and welcome to the new InternBlog!
The idea of a blog was born to create a space where future, current and previous interns can share their ideas, knowledge and experience. The blog shall create one easy place where interns can find all the relevant information that is usually scattered around 1000 ILO pages. You’ll find tips on topics such as housing and banking, as well as testimonies and super interesting articles tackling the world of work written by your fellow interns. At this stage we’re still gathering as much material as possible, so feel free to post comments, ask questions, send us your articles and ideas! Whatever you’ve got, we want it! Enjoy! Your InternBoard |
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