Spotlight Interview: Meghan Ingram (EIJI’s Head of Acquisitions)

Recently we interview Meghan Ingram our Head of Acquisitions regarding her role in EIJI and her responsibilities within the team. This inside look into her position provides as both informative and clarifying for anyone considering taking on this job opening in September. Remember applications close at 12 AM this Sunday, so please read more about this exciting position and we look forward to hearing from you!

1.  Introduction (Name, Year, Study and what your experiences have been before joining EIJI?)

Meghan Ingram, 4th year Psychology and Sociology. Prior to joining EIJI, I had been heavily involved in Enactus Edinburgh, a social enterprise society at uni – I helped start one of the social enterprises and then went on to become president of the society. I was also a member of the Swimming and Water Polo Club although spent very little time actually in the pool. Outside of Uni, I have done two different human rights / criminal law internships, one with a law firm in London and the other with the Social Responsibility department at Unilever Kenya. 

2. Why did you join EIJI? 

I am very interested in international criminal law and international human rights law, but as a non-law student, I didn’t know how to get experience in this field or even find out more. When the opportunity to be a part of the EIJI came up, I saw it as a great way to learn more about the area, potential career prospect within it, and a chance to build up the key skills and relevant experience. 

3. What is your role? What do you do? 

My role within the EIJI is ‘Head of Acquisition’ – a fancy term for recruiting our clients and supervisors. This means that I reach out to all of the names and organizations on our contact list as well as doing my own research to find more international institutions that may benefit from the work we do. Once initial interest has been expressed, I typically set up a call to hear more about the potential project or supervisor, making sure that it, or they, are in line with what we strive to do at EIJI. From there, I go through a series of steps and criteria to ultimately on-board the project or supervisor that will work best with our team. This past year we have worked with 3 international NGOs or institutions and have had 3 supervisors on-board our team – an achievement I am very proud of. 

4. What is your favorite part of the role? 

My favorite part of the role is having the opportunity to talk to people from all over the world and hear their stories and backgrounds. We work with incredible people and for life-changing projects, initially hearing about these has never failed to intrigue me and provides the motivation to keep moving the clinic forwards. 

5. What is the highlight of your time here? Alternatively, the thing you are the most proud of? 

I joined the EIJI when it was little more than an idea my friend Matthias, the now director of the clinic had. Seeing the EIJI grow from this into a fully-functioning clinic, recruiting students with the same passions that I had, and working with amazing people from all over the world, is the highlight of my time here. I am incredibly proud of everything the team has done and feel honoured to have had the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing group. 

6. What kind of people have you interacted with as Head of Acquisition? 

I’ve interacted with early-career professionals to international criminal law / human rights law veterans, senior NGO members, and clinic directors. The list is exhaustive – It’s the best way to find out more about different institutions and gain contacts from key organizations from all over the world. This role is the ultimate networking position. 

7. What is the most important skills you have learned in your role?

Being a part of the EIJI is unlike many other student-run initiatives. It requires a new level of professionalism and initiative as we’re working with senior level individuals for really important causes. Particularly in my role, I have really developed and drawn on these two qualities as it has always been my aim to represent the EIJI as best as possible. The clinic would not be successfully functioning if it wasn’t for the Head of Acquisition role so having the initiative, organization, time management and communication skills is critical. If I didn’t have these skills before joining the team, I definitely do now.

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