Meet Lewis, who studied BA Politics and MSc Elections Campaigns and Democracy

Lewis Virgo - Alumni

Tell us about your career path since graduation. How did you end up where you are?  

After Graduation I worked at Royal Holloway in the Library and then the Admissions Department before I joined my current job as Parliamentary Assistant at the House of Commons, MP and Shadow Secretary of State.

In my spare time, I volunteered for my local political party and later I stood as a candidate for Runnymede Council. I have since become the Deputy Chairman Political of the local party. This enabled me to make connections and network whilst also developing skills as well as knowledge which I have since been able to use in my job. It enabled me to boost my CV too and I was able to point to it in interviews. 

What was it about your time at Royal Holloway that has most benefitted your career or influenced your path since graduation?  

The Alumni network. Before the General Election Royal Holloway had the 2nd highest number of alumni working for an MP. Thanks to the people I met at Royal Holloway in my course and through the Politics and International Relations Society I was able to get a recommendation and landed an interview. 

What would you say to potential students considering studying at Royal Holloway and thinking about a career in your sector?  

For Politics, Royal Holloway is ideal as we are so close to London with a strong Alumni network in politics and the Civil Service. Volunteer and get involved whether be societies or local political party - you will meet people who might be able to help you, develop as a person, gain life experience and it adds to your CV. 

What did you love most about your time at Royal Holloway? 

I loved being involved in the Politics Society at Royal Holloway from doing Model United Nations to listening to interesting speakers. My favourite memory was when as part of a module, Democracy in Britain, we visited the Houses of Parliament for a tour and met former students working there. I recently did a tour for current Royal Holloway students in Parliament who were studying the same module, so it was a full circle moment.