Major(s): Major in Business Management, Minor in Finance
Fun fact about me: I used to live at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY for about 2.5 years.
Name of internship host and location: Department of State Student Internship Program in Washington DC – Economic and Business Affairs Bureau/ Office of Commercial and Business Affairs
When: Summer 2024
How I found it: USAJobs.com
My role and duties: I served as an intern in the Economic and Business Affairs Bureau in the office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA). CBA’s mission is to employ U.S. government resources to assist and advocate for U.S. business interests abroad, recognize corporate excellence through the Award for Corporate Excellence, and ensure U.S. private sector concerns are integrated into our foreign and economic policy. Special Representative Sarah Morgenthau for CBA leads the State Department’s outreach to the business community and leads efforts in commercial diplomacy and in creation and advancement of a level playing field for U.S. businesses overseas. As an intern, I had hands-on and direct experience to support Special Representative Morgenthau and CBA’s mission. I worked on many tasks pertaining to foreign government, private sector, and interagency. More specific examples: I was able to equip our Special Representative for high-level engagements with foreign delegations such as draft briefing material for a meeting with the Maldives Minister of Economic Development and Trade; I was able to draft an Action Memo to the Assistant Secretary for the Secretary’s Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony (ACE); I identified maritime opportunities to level the playing field as U.S. companies entered competitive projects; I gathered input from key stakeholders for guidance to send to all embassies and offices located aboard; and I was able to analyze and synthesize data to write a comprehensive report for Congressional review.
Why this particular internship or organization: I applied to many different internship opportunities with the federal government and State Department accepted me! But what made me apply to these opportunities to begin with was my sense of curiosity and my family’s experiences with the federal government gave me an extra push to find out more. Almost every member of my immediate family is or was a federal government employee or a member of the armed forces.
What was my experience like-my favorite part: Overall, this experience was better than I could have ever imagined. I came in with no expectations, and never expected to leave with such impact and growth. This experience enhanced my personal and professional development and gave me life lessons and memories that I will forever cherish. I believe the best part of the internship was its versatility. Every day was different. A lot of times you had to expect the unexpected and learn to adapt to the things you were given. I enjoyed the fast-paced and collaborative working environment I was put in. And a big shoutout to such an amazing team at CBA, who always had my back, made every experience a learning experience, and always made me feel like an equal.
How has this experience helped me: This experience helped me realize the bigger and greater opportunities that are out there for young adults my age. The world is such a large place, and what my internship coordinator at CBA told me, “Cast a wider net and throw it as far as you can, you never know what you might catch. You don’t know what you don’t know, but don’t be afraid to find out!” This experience also enabled me to discover new interests, gain valuable insights into the federal government, and learn more about my strengths and weaknesses in the workplace.
What’s next: I hope to be back at CBA as a Civil Service Foreign Affairs Officer or even join the Foreign Service.
Advice for other students: If you want to pursue a career with the federal government, the best way to start is to apply to as many opportunities and openings as you can. You might not get your dream job/ position the first go around, but that’s okay. The goal is to get your foot in the door. Also, take a leap of faith, always be curious and ask questions. It might lead to other amazing opportunities like getting a picture with the Secretary of State just like I did!
Kudos to PSB for: always having high professional standards, investing in the academic and professional growth of its students, and preparing me to shine as bright as I did during times like this.
