Edward Bayfield
Current Employer/Organisation Name
House of Commons
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Since leaving Exeter, my partner and I have moved to South East London- a big move from Falmouth! I started working in an MP’s office in September as a caseworker. This role involves helping with constituent’s concerns and queries. Issues vary widely and include housing, health, planning, immigration, education etc. Since March, I have taken on the role as a Parliamentary assistant. The role includes speech and article writing, interpreting policy, liaising with the press and assisting at meetings with organisations and constituents. It has been a pretty packed 7 months. Since starting, I have witnessed a supreme court ruling against the proroguing Parliament, a general election, the UK leaving the EU and of course, sadly, a global pandemic. It has been rather humbling experience and a big learning curve. It’s also pretty fun to work in the heritage treasure trove that is Houses of Parliament.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I have always been interested in politics and knew that I wanted to get involved since Sixth Form. The work is so varied, and you are given the opportunity to engage and research wide ranging issues. For example, in the morning you may have a meeting about food production and in the afternoon a meeting highlighting deforestation in the Amazon. I have had the privilege of meeting and working with some pretty fab organisations, and colleagues.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was President of the FXU Politics Society during the second year of my undergraduate and also Secretary of the Law Society.
Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?
Yes.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The biggest highlights of the MA were the field trips including visiting Cornish beaches, Stonehenge (at dawn!) and traveling halfway across the globe to Vancouver, Canada. We were incredibly lucky to visit heritage practitioners, museums and probably some of the most beauty natural landscapes I have ever seen. The greatest highlight was the opportunity to meet with various communities- from Cornish fishing villages to First Nation communities. I am extremely thankful to our tutors Dr Bryony Onciul and Dr Jamie Hampson. Their hard work and dedication, setting up this course, real shone through!
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The beach is on your door-step! There aren’t many universities where you can be in a seminar and then 15 minutes later be jumping into the sea.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I was encouraged by my siblings who both studied at Penryn campus, my sister Alice Geography at Exeter and my brother Creative Advertising at Falmouth Uni. Visited them during Sixth Form and feel in love with Kernow.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The ability to communicate, debate and learn from interactions with professionals, organisations and members of the public.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Get involved! Sign up to as many societies as you can and build your experience. If you are thinking of going into politics, ask your local MP for work experience or see if you could volunteer for a political party/ community organisation.
What are your plans for the future?
Wish to build on my parliamentary experience and then perhaps move into public policy for a heritage organisation, later down the road!
