Increasing Access Through Paid Internships: Realising a Vision for a More Inclusive International Development Sector

Helen Turner began work as a Grants Officer for BRAC in 2019. While visiting a project in Nepal later that same year, Helen fell ill and sadly passed away. In memory of her passion for international development and commitment to providing equal access to the sector, BRAC and Helen’s family set up an internship in her name. 2024 marks the third year of the Helen Turner Professional Development Internship and I feel honoured to be a part of continuing Helen’s legacy. 

I have always been passionate about humanitarian action but my journey really began to take shape when I decided to study for a Bachelor’s in International Relations. This foundation confirmed my passion for the sector and led me to pursue a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies. International development was at the core of these disciplines, laying the foundations for peace and security. I knew that, in order to have global stability and human security, a holistic approach to development had to be centred. 

I graduated from my Master’s programme in early 2024, full of hope for the sector and future career opportunities. I set out to work for an organisation that addressed the multidimensional drivers of human insecurity. Like Helen, I soon realised that the sector was highly inaccessible. Without professional experience, there were limited opportunities available. 

Internships provide a solution for new entrants into the job market, however, they are often inaccessible. The norm is that students and new graduates are expected to work full-time without pay. This simply was not a viable option for me. The job-hunting process soon became disheartening and I began to worry that I would have to put my dream of working in the sector on hold. 

The turning point came when I began BRAC’s Helen Turner Professional Development Internship. The internship is centred on Helen’s passion for diversity and accessibility. This was a chance to work for a leading international development organisation, gain work experience, and earn money. In a market saturated by unpaid internships, BRAC presents a unique opportunity. Despite the important work being carried out by the international development field, the lack of access remains a key barrier to preventing new generations from participating. Unpaid internships exacerbate the issue of accessibility and hinder diversity within the sector, limiting entry to only those who can afford these crucial bridges from education to employment.

Entering the sector, I was cautious about balancing my passion for international development while avoiding contributing to the Western-centrism of the field. As a Southern-led organisation, BRAC provides an ideal balance. There is a need in development to work against old colonial models of Northern-led development and work to empower Southern states and organisations. The success of organisations like BRAC is proof of the importance of bottom-up, local-led models. During my internship, I have been able to get an insight into the work teams are doing in-country while providing auxiliary fundraising support from our London office. 

Beyond my view of the development sector, this internship has had a significant impact on my personal outlook. After years in academia, I was apprehensive about how my skills would transfer into the workforce. This, combined with my difficulties getting into the sector took a hit to my confidence. My time in the London office has helped to build this confidence back. Being surrounded by supportive colleagues has helped me to grow throughout the internship. The focus on professional development has left me feeling prepared and excited for future career opportunities.

As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded of Helen and her vision for more inclusive practices in the development field. This internship embodies the values and ideals she was so passionate about. I hope that other organisations will take inspiration from this model. I feel strongly that paid professional development internships should be more prevalent in the sector, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance.