Photo of our internship group used in The Intern Network's Monthly Newsletter
My virtual internship with the Department of State has benefited my future career immensely! After graduation, I plan to work for the Department of State or federal government in some shape or fashion. This internship has given me a competitive edge over others because I have a better idea of how the Department of State operates. My internship agency lead also has been beneficial in reviewing my application, which was a huge benefit. The connections I have made during my internship will assist me in the future, regardless of my career path.
As an Anthropology undergraduate, this internship does not directly tie into my major; however, many people of diverse educational backgrounds work for the Department of State, so while the internship does not tie into my major, my major does tie into my internship.
There were no educational requirements that were needed before this internship, just a willingness to work.
After completing this internship, I am even more resolute in my desire to work for the Department of State because of the variety of missions. There are so many opportunities and experiences working in the Department of State that while a career title may be the same, an individual’s career will be unique.
The Department of State hires individuals from unique and diverse backgrounds. One popular misconception is that everyone has a background in International Affairs. To secure a full-time position, I need to continue developing my interpersonal skills and my ability to solve distinctive problems creatively.
My advice to incoming interns would be not to be afraid to ask “dumb” questions and invite challenges. As an intern, no one expects you to tackle monumental tasks you cannot handle. As long as you are willing to work on challenging tasks and communicate with your supervisor and other interns, you will succeed.