The school where Max taught

In March 2010, Max Clarke was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity teaching English at a school in Kabul, Afghanistan. Here, Max talks about his exceptional experience, and explains why undertaking the six month internship – which paid expenses only – was one of the best decisions he has ever made, even despite the precarious situations he regularly found himself within…

With a warm applause rising from the 150 boys and girls seated below, I mount the makeshift stage and receive with gratitude the gifts being presented to me. Turning towards the sea of bright and smiling faces, I see optimism reflected in their young eyes that the violence and terror raging relentlessly across the country has still failed to extinguish: an optimism I continue to feel the warmth of to this day.

Yet barely a week before the ‘Teachers Day’ ceremony, a section of the city had been erased from existence by 1,500 lbs of explosives packed into a taxi. Detonating itself just minutes after our schoolbus had passed; it narrowly spared the lives of 22 of Afghanistan’s gifted young children, and my own.

So how did I come to find myself in this situation: in this disparate world of hope and terror, hatred and generosity that is Afghanistan?

After casting my net out into the world of ‘the NGO’ at the end of last year, searching for work experience in West Africa to complement my degree, I was met with nothing but rejection.

Then, out of the blue, I was contacted by Vision International Afghanistan Ltd and offered a position in the country’s capital, Kabul. In light of previous rejections, combined with a strong craving to get abroad and do something different, I felt obliged to accept such an exciting offer.

It all seemed to happen so quickly. The next few months spiralled into a blur of preparation; booking in jabs, collecting the right garments for the unusual climate, researching all the available information, and stocking up on medication I may (and often did!) need during my 6 month placement. Before I knew it, I was in Afghanistan, being driven through the maze of new, shining glass offices and the bullet scarred, mud slums of Kabul on my way to my new job as the head of an English department at a local school.

One of Max's students

Recently founded by Dr. Howard Harper – the only westerner to have been awarded Afghan citizenship – Glory High School is a coeducational private school and, like much of Afghanistan, a stark expression of contrast where dirt-poor orphans receive a free education beside the children of the wealthy. A three storey cube of thick concrete, the school is set in the hills of Kabul’s western suburbs immediately between the towering mansions of the super rich and the crowded slums of Barchi – where one million souls live in a maze of mud bungalows without electricity, sewerage or water.

I lived in a house shared with an Afghan family and an American man. It was located in an area of Kabul far removed from the peace of the suburbs and the money and security of downtown; a place where contractors on $100,000+ salaries flocked from their fortress homes to their Western hangouts amidst scores of security personnel from whom they never separate. All in all, I had got a pretty good deal.

On paper, the house had all the amenities on which we have come to rely in the West, though each with its own complex idiosyncrasies that took months to master, like, for example, showering. This basic hygiene requirement seemed to require a calendar as water was delivered to the tanks only every three days. On the day water is delivered, a shower could be had; on the second day you stand under a dribbling showerhead; and on the third day, there is no water. Attempting to anticipate the power cuts was an especially useful technique as being plunged into darkness dripping wet and covered in soap is an experience best not repeated. My bed was a thin mattress, or towshak and my bedside table an upturned tub. Washing clothes was a lengthy operation and shopping for food an adventure in itself…

Clouds of dust rise above Seraka Alaouddin- our local High Street- as decaying, battlescarred Toyotas rumble past over its uneven surface, throwing up yet more dust. Dodging crowds of thickly bearded men shouting loudly at the street’s traders, I continue past the rows of butcher’s shops where carcasses carpeted in flies hang in the hot sun, dripping dark fluids into the standing drains at the roadside. Carefully stepping over the piles of offal that lie discarded on the pavement, I continue my journey and soon my nostrils tell me that I am approaching what I seek: at the junction stand men fiercely fanning beds of hot coals over which long skewers of mutton sizzle, dripping fat onto the coals below; generating thick, choking clouds of smoke that tangle with the City’s dust and diesel fumes and hang heavily in the thick air. Unsurprisingly, respiration problems are rife- a problem much exacerbated by the prevalence of Iranian made Pine cigarettes.

Such Kebaabs- great chunks of tough and flavourful grilled served with naan bread- are a staple for Afghans who can afford them and formed much of my diet.

Soon, the days turned into weeks, and my life in Kabul was assuming an air of normality. No longer did the frequent power cuts or water outages seem an inconvenience. No longer did I yearn for the pub, and drinking 20 cups of weak green tea a day became ordinary. I was friends with my fellow teachers and familiar with my students; becoming wise to their misbehaviour, accustomed to their loudness, and learning to ignore the (thankfully infrequent) attempts to convert me to Islam. Even the occasional rumble of rocket strikes and the guttural thud of distant car bombs failed to shock as they once had before.

All too quickly my six months was up and it was time to go home, something I did with a strangely mixed feeling of sadness and relief. I returned not only with enough astounding stories to fill a book, and a stack of photos that still surprise people to this day, but also, importantly, a lifetimes worth of memories and lessons necessary to be reflected on during those quieter times.

The friends I made, the experiences I lived and the skills I developed during this incredible, unique and sometimes terrifying (!) internship will be with me for life. Though at times emotional, and often dangerous, I will never regret taking on such an opportunity, and would only encourage others to do the same.

You can read all about Max’s time in Afghanistan on his blog, http://maxinkabul.blogspot.com/

Graduate Talent Pool - help or hindrance?

On Sunday evening Donal MacIntyre presented an investigation into unpaid internships in the UK on his Radio 5 Live show. The report highlighted the fact that some companies are using the government website Graduate Talent Pool to advertise unpaid internships that potentially break National Minimum Wage laws.

Inspiring Interns shares the concerns raised on the programme and, further, welcomes any move to draw attention to the exploitation of graduates by businesses using unemployed young people as free labour. As a company we go to great lengths to ensure that our placements offer the kind of professional experience that graduates require in today’s oversaturated job market; moreover we only work with clients interested in developing young talent, not taking advantage of it.

The other main issue that the programme raised was how expenses-only internships are deepening the class divide, with only the wealthy able to undertake longer periods of work experience on low remuneration.

Inspiring Interns agree entirely that internships should be open for all, and back the government’s current schemes to support those who might not otherwise be able to afford internships. We were also delighted to hear David Lammy MP announce on Donal MacIntyre’s show that a new initiative will launch in the summer to offer means-tested support for graduates who undertake placements. Inspiring Interns believe that by offering government financial incentives, graduates will be inspired to test the water by gaining valuable experience in their chosen fields. They also have the opportunity to work in areas which they may not have previously considered. By participating in short term internships in a variety of industries or sectors graduates can make a more informed choice when planning their career path.

Inspiring Interns would also like to express support for businesses offering genuine internships, and urge the government to avoid over-the-top intervention that could damage a very beneficial system. There must be official recognition that in the current economic climate some companies simply cannot afford to pay interns and do not have long term openings. However, by offering a placement they do provide essential experience for graduates and potentially create permanent jobs; either when the market picks up or, more exceptionally, where the intern performs so well that the company perceives there to be a business case with low risk to take the intern on full time.

Banning unpaid internships would do more damage than good, both to young people and to the economy. Therefore the government needs to clarify legislation on internships, and follow the recommendations outlined in Alan Milburn’s report on social mobility. For as Mr. Milburn argues, “Internships are an essential part of the career ladder [and] part and parcel of a modern, flexible economy.”  At Inspiring Interns we aim to provide a valuable service both to graduates entering the job market for the first time and to industry. We provide choice, experience and hopefully long term career paths for our interns, whilst at the same time offering a commercial, low cost low risk business solution for.

Inspiring Interns were left rather bemused by the entirely negative picture the Mail painted. Sadly there are companies willing to take advantage of unemployed graduates – with the media sector particularly guilty – but by and large the rise in internships has been a very positive development for both businesses and job seekers.

At Inspiring Interns we rigorously check our clients before we send them candidates to ensure the placement will benefit the graduate and that the company is not using interns as a rolling staff solution.

This means that, having been trading for just over a year, we now have a plethora of grateful graduates who are now in paid employment as a result of having done an Inspiring Interns internship.

Ben Tatton-Brown, CEO of Ring Ring Mobile, has hired eight interns from Inspiring, all of whom have secured permanent positions as a direct result of doing a placement. Tatton-Brown commented: “Inspiring Interns’ service has been invaluable to our company. We have found eight superb staff members that have developed and grown within their roles, and who would not have become part of this company had they not initially completed internships.”

Inspiring Interns are always thrilled to hear when our work has helped candidates gain invaluable experience, particularly when they have gone on to secure full-time positions. We believe it is this mix of developing skills and creating careers that make our company such an attractive proposition to graduates.

Inspiring Interns – specialising in finding meaningful internships for students and graduates –http://www.inspiringinterns.com

Earn money while you intern

Back in December we reported that the Government was planning to provide £8 million of funding to those from disadvantaged backgrounds who would have otherwise been unable to undertake unpaid internships.

We are pleased to say that this scheme now encompasses any graduate from a participating university who is looking for an internship. If your old uni is taking part you could be entitled to around £6 an hour while you complete a placement.

Working in tandem with the government’s priority areas for future industries, the scheme is particularly keen to provide grants to graduates working in one of the following seven sectors:

• low-carbon products and services
• digital industry
• life sciences and pharmaceuticals
• advanced manufacturing
• professional and financial services
• engineering construction
• industrial opportunities presented by the ageing society.

Alongside the obvious financial benefits this scheme offers, graduates will also get structured support before, during and after their placement – including mentoring, pre-employment and interview training, and CV workshops.

This is a wonderful opportunity for graduates to gain fantastic experience for their CV without having to make major fiscal sacrifices. And of course Inspiring Interns can help you on the way to finding that dream placement – so why not get in touch?

Inspiring Interns – specialising in finding meaningful internships for students and graduates –http://www.inspiringinterns.com

So university is over, and like thousands others you are trying to find that first job… well in our climate any job.

But is this the route that we should be following? Do students really want to jump from the one nest of education straight into the other of employment? For the sake of youth and experience, take a leap of faith and who knows where you could land.

The other things to do after University:

• Travel
  

  See the world

Of course requires some funding, but many travel and find work at their destinations which is proving to be easier than finding work in the UK. However do some research because anything worth doing is worth being done correctly. There are many websites offering free advice on how to go about it, along with the numerous companies offering trips all over the world such as STA Travel. If you do want to find a job, get one abroad? Two kill birds with one stone, travel and work resulting in some money in your pocket and a worn out passport.

• Get involved with the community

This does not have to be your direct community! There’s a big wide world out there, help out in countries where you could actually make a difference. Again this is a big commitment, so do your homework but here’s a head start at the Real Gap Year website.

• Do an internship

Yes this does fall under getting a job after university however an internship allows you to experience the fields you may wish to get into as a career move. They vary from their duration and salary but are a great way to make the connections you may need later in life.

Whatever you decide to do, do your research! University is over, but you can still have the time of your life.