This semester, I’ve had the opportunity to intern with the Department of State at the Office of Economic Analysis and Public Diplomacy (EPPD) in the Economic Bureau. My internship experience has given me invaluable insight to the inner workings of the State Department and what it is like to work for the government. Through my work, I have not only learned more about how the U.S. approaches foreign economic policy but also how to be a team player in a professional setting. I feel so grateful for my experience with EPPD for giving me the platform to apply my knowledge from the classroom and grow as a professional.
Internships at the State Department vary widely depending on what office you are positioned. Due to the unique role of my office, I had the opportunity to engage on a wide spectrum of topics in foreign economic policy. My office engages in outreach to the public, U.S. relations with the OECD, and coordinating between all the offices in the Economic Bureau. One of my first major tasks was writing an article on the history of U.S. economic diplomacy. As this was an assignment related to public outreach, it was important for me to think of ways to communicate economic policies in both an accessible and fun way. For the OECD branch, I had the chance to listen and take notes for the OECD’s Ministerial Council Meetings. While these meetings typically take place in Paris, this year they were held virtually due to COVID-19. It was fascinating to hear how country representatives discussed their respective approaches and differing opinions on how best to address the economic challenges of the pandemic. Finally, I have also been working on a performance report of different foreign aid programs. This assignment requires me to reach out and work with various offices at State. The finished report will be read by Congress and serve to communicate the importance of foreign aid programs and how these federal programs can be improved.
While the tasks and assignments of an internship are typically the focus, my internship at State has also taught me the importance of work culture and professionalism. I have had to adapt the use of constant acronyms referring to everything from organizations, office names, and even people’s titles. Furthermore, it is critical to have confidence and self-initiative. As an intern at State, I needed to reach out to other offices, often to people with higher positions than me whom I had never met before. While it seemed daunting at first, it has now become a part of my daily work flow.
My internship at the State Department has been a pivotal informative experience toward my decisions about my career trajectory. While the position was unpaid, I am so grateful for WLP’s Kimberly & Rob Humphries Award for allowing me to take this wonderful opportunity.