Maryam's internship exprience with Flint

In this blog, intern Maryam depicts her time as a summer intern at Flint. She shares her day-to-day routine and her key takeaways from her internship experience.

Having studied Politics and International Relations at university, I have always been eager to see the real-world impact of political decision-making. This led me to apply for an internship through the 10,000 Interns Foundation, a programme that challenges the under-representation of Black talent in the workplace through its internship programme, network, and training and development opportunities. I was thrilled to join Flint as an intern, especially given what I had seen of Flint’s work and expertise through public analysis, including briefing calls and blogs. 

My day-to-day experience

I was given the opportunity to be involved across the wide range of clients and sectors that Flint services. Each client has unique asks, and my work varied on a daily basis. On one day, I could be monitoring and analysing key policy and regulatory changes in a specific sector in the UK, and the next day I could be researching the latest developments on global macroeconomic and geopolitical issues. This gave me exposure to a huge variety of issues, from financial services regulation to the net zero transition, and opened new areas of interest for me. For instance, working on a detailed due diligence project which assessed policy issues relating to the sale of an asset gave me exposure to the Labour government’s approach to social policy, an area that was new to me and gave me an opportunity to learn a lot in a short space of time.  

The political and regulatory landscape can move quickly, and a core element of Flint’s work is keeping up to date on the latest developments and providing timely advice to our clients. This was especially the case given my internship came following the election of the new UK government. I often had to juggle competing demands, prioritising tasks across different projects to ensure deliverables were ready for clients. This can be challenging, but as I became more familiar with the areas of interest for clients and the way Flint brings together information and insight, I became more efficient and was able to refine the deliverables provided to clients. 

Flint’s role advising clients on strategic, political and regulatory issues means we often work with companies in a way that has a real world impact. For example, it was rewarding to help a UK-based start-up reach a significant investment milestone that will directly contribute to the UK’s net zero agenda. I also had considerable exposure to clients and was able to visit a client’s office for a breakfast meeting to discuss their challenges and objectives. It was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the consulting experience fully, work directly with clients and understand their needs first hand. 

My key takeaways

The internship significantly contributed to my personal and professional development, particularly in improving my skill set, including my drafting and writing abilities. While preparing briefing materials and drafting correspondence, I've learned valuable lessons in how to ensure our advice is tailored effectively to different audiences, and that it is digestible and well-delivered.  

The connections I have made with colleagues at Flint have also been a defining aspect of my time here. The opportunity to work and learn alongside people with expertise from a range of different backgrounds, such as in government, regulatory and competition bodies, has given me a better understanding of the complex issues that Flint helps clients navigate.  

From consultant to partner level, people have been willing to take time to talk about their experience and share their expertise. The collaborative environment has allowed me to be involved in complex projects, encouraged personal growth, and has made me feel included and valued within the team and the organisation as a whole. 

All in all, my internship at Flint Global has been a great learning experience. Engaging in exciting projects, working alongside subject matter experts, and contributing to impactful work have all deepened my understanding of the policy, political and regulatory landscape. It has equipped me with transferable skills for my future career and has reinforced my passion for the sector, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.