Having integrated the internship programme into the community fabric 15 years ago, we at Demos Helsinki have attempted to refine it iteratively. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inspiring work environment for students at the early stage of their careers and impact-making journeys. We reached out to some interns to share their experiences, and below are their reflections.
As established as a 20-year-old organisation, our soul and attitude remain as youthful and curious as on Day 1. Besides the ingrained practice of continuously reflecting on our way of operating, the element of youthfulness and eagerness to explore is attributed to our dear interns–brilliant individuals from diverse backgrounds who offer fresh excitement, new ideas, and creative thinking–that help us set the agenda together. Having integrated the internship programme into the community fabric 15 years ago, we at Demos Helsinki have attempted to refine it iteratively. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inspiring work environment for students at the early stage of their careers and impact-making journeys.
How do our interns describe their journey at Demos Helsinki?
We reached out to some of them to share their experiences, and below are their reflections.
Tanya Sahdev
At Demos Helsinki, we embrace an English-speaking working environment which is appreciated by many international students. Tanya, our current intern, described her internship as “fulfilling”, thanks to the “combination of trust, flexibility, and a sense of purpose.”
“My ongoing internship at Demos Helsinki has been a deeply rewarding experience, grounded in trust, autonomy, and a warm, welcoming environment. As an international student, navigating the Finnish labour market hasn’t been the easiest journey, but the process of applying to Demos and now working here has been like a breath of fresh air. In the recruitment workshop, there were applicants from various countries and diverse academic and professional backgrounds, highlighting the inclusive and multidisciplinary community at Demos. During my interview, I felt that my international perspective was truly valued. These experiences during the recruitment process were just the tip of the iceberg of a working culture that encourages appreciation of different viewpoints.
Since day one, I’ve been welcomed into the community as an equal, a clear example of the low-hierarchy, open, and collaborative nature of Demos Helsinki’s culture. From participating in team meetings to interacting with partners and stakeholders, my input has been valued as much as any other Demosian. There is a high level of trust here, which creates a space for autonomy and independence in managing my tasks and responsibilities. At the same time, the culture is incredibly supportive—everyone is approachable, and questions are encouraged, making it easy to ask for help when needed. This openness is reflected both literally in the physical layout of the office, with its variety of spaces for focused and collaborative work, and in the organisation’s transparency and flexibility. There’s a genuine acceptance of flexible working hours and styles, tailored to individual needs.
As for work, I have been part of several different projects (with varying roles) so far, each contributing towards a holistic internship experience. I’ve been able to apply my existing knowledge and skills while also learning by doing projects where I’m less experienced. My responsibilities have been very diverse — developing workshop content, organising logistical aspects, assisting in workshop facilitation, interacting with partners, exploring new sales opportunities, and taking on various supporting tasks. The work at Demos Helsinki holds deep meaning for me, as it aligns with my personal motivation to create a positive impact.”
Vera Saavalainen
Fascinated in working towards systemic transformation for a sustainable planet, Vera finds joy and confidence in contributing to impactful projects at Demos Helsinki, all driven by the aim of “being a positive agent of change.”
“Working at Demos Helsinki feels like an immense privilege to be a part of a radically impactful organisation, and working with projects that are done with the intention of being a positive agent for change. Honesty, transparency and willingness to do good are integral to the entire organisation and its operations. This is clear from Day 1 of the internship and continues throughout. Demos Helsinki is at the forefront of ambitious and exciting projects creating positive impact across the globe.
My experience has brought me confidence in my existing skills as I am able to apply these along with learning brand new things that superiors are more than happy to help out with. Working as an intern in Demos Helsinki you will learn to be proactive with time management, and taking responsibility for your own workload. The culture at the office is relaxed but hardworking. Demosians value wellbeing and will always encourage each other to take a break when needed. The low-hierarchical approach means that even as an intern, you feel like you are a fully-fledged member of the team. They also value diversity and different approaches and are always willing to listen to your ideas. Approaching your internship with curiosity and enthusiasm for learning will enable you to get the most out of your experience. Don’t be afraid to volunteer or communicate your interest in topics outside of what’s been assigned to you!
Ultimately, as a Demos Helsinki Intern, you will find yourself to be respected, valued and grow in ways you might have never imagined. A place where you can use your own strengths and where being authentically you is what is valued the most.”
Thilo Thelitz
Many might assume that working at Demos Helsinki requires a specific major and degree. However, Thilo’s fruitful experience as a Demos Helsinki intern, with an academic background in English and Computational Linguistics, demonstrates that when we say we are open to diverse perspectives and backgrounds, we genuinely mean it.
“I appreciated that I got to choose the projects that I wanted to work on at Demos. I knew I was most interested in the research side, so I mostly ended up working on three research projects: KT4D, ARISE, and CO3. In KT4D, for example, the team was just working on a survey about AI governance to be sent out to experts. As soon as I joined, I helped shape the questionnaire itself, I learned about the methodology, I sent out the invitations myself, and I helped to analyse the responses. It was great to be part of these major research projects, and I learned quite a lot about how teams and consortia tackle such huge projects together.
Aside from this, I also learned a great deal about the actual subjects of research, like ethics and technology, democracy, and social contracts. As an English student, the subjects that I dealt with at Demos were often somewhat unfamiliar, but I believe that studying humanities equips you with the ability to absorb and synthesise a variety of subject matters and perspectives, which is a very useful skill to have at Demos. Apart from being an interesting place to work, Demos is also just full of great people, and they take very good care of their interns.”
Cecilia af Hällström
Cecilia joined us as an intern in winter 2023 and has remained a valuable team member of the Demos Helsinki ever since. In her sharing, Cecilia highlights the ability to pursue her interests while receiving tremendous support from her mentor and the people surrounding her.
“Each internship experience is unique. The work that happens at Demos Helsinki varies widely – from consultative short-term projects to international research projects and impactful sales efforts. I remember discussing with my fellow interns how different our daily tasks were, depending on what each of us was working on. It could be everything from academic benchmarking on biodiversity strategies in Europe, to deep diving into understanding peat agriculture in Finland, to facilitating workshops on how to minimise loneliness among youths to developing strategies for community engagement. Everything from writing to reading to talking, to understanding – or trying your best to understand – the internship is a learning journey throughout.
One of the highlights of the internship is the opportunity to pursue your interests. I recommend being vocal about what you want to learn, what projects excite you, or what new areas you think Demos Helsinki could explore. Another rewarding aspect is working with topics you may know little about initially, but before you know it you have a new passion to pursue and the change you want to accomplish.
Each intern is paired with a mentor, who provides support and guidance throughout the internship. Together, you reflect on your experience and discuss possibilities and opportunities. In addition to this, it cannot be emphasised enough that you are surrounded by an intelligent, kind and helpful bunch of people who are eager to help. Whether you have questions on how to log your hours correctly or want to get viewpoints on how to increase local engagement with circular economy practices, support is only a conversation away.”
Our internship call is open until 31st October 2024!
We cannot stress enough the important contribution and thoughtful opinions of our interns in the development of Demos Helsinki in general. Now, we hope it will be your turn to write your own story at Demos Helsinki. If you are interested in steering positive societal change and tackling contemporary wicked challenges, we invite you to have a look at our internship position and apply by 31st October!