Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014
Getting Here
Blog Post #2
(Early Morning outside Main State)
By the time this is posted the
deadline for summer 2014 internship applications to the Department of State
will be only a couple of weeks away. I was in the same position in which many
of you are now: trying to get the application package put together while
juggling school, work, extracurricular activities, family, and everything else.
While there is nothing that will
get you the one of these coveted spots for certain, you can do a few things that,
I think, will help you successfully navigate the process of applying for an
internship with the Department of State.
Disclaimer: These are my personal views and do not represent the views
of the Department of State or the University of Pittsburgh.
Really research and target a
particular office or bureau. Go through the state.gov website. Read all the material published by the
Department of State on their internship program. Become familiar with the organizational chart
of the state department and find an office that does the sorts of things you
have experience with and like doing. While I cannot say for certain what made my
office pick me, I believe that specific, uncommon knowledge, skills, and
abilities that I displayed in my resume and essay landed me in my particular
office. When you do find an office or offices that fit your skills,
experiences, and interests, be sure to check the internship guide to make sure
those offices participate in the program.
If you want to work at an embassy
in a foreign country, then know the language. I can’t imagine a hiring manager
selecting someone who doesn’t speak the local language over someone who can, or
who can speak it with greater fluency. Also, explore possibilities outside of major
international destinations. Speak
French? Explore opportunities in Africa.
Put the necessary amount of time
and effort into crafting your application package. Block off the time to sit down and write a
great submission well ahead of the deadline.
It might sound obvious, but how often do we squeeze things in between
the end of 3 PM class and dinner? Or between 2 other papers due by next Tuesday
and that dinner party on Saturday night? [I’m guilty of squeezing this in this
week between work, finishing several fellowship applications, finishing a
presentation assignment, classes, and several networking engagements.] After
you’ve completed your package, set it aside for a couple of days and then
revise it. Consider having someone else
read it over and give comments to you before you make your final
submission. Really put the time and
effort into making this the best application package possible.
Be consistent. You can apply for two different offices when
you submit your materials. However, you
can (or at least was the case for me) submit only one essay. I cannot imagine
that it will do your any favors to pick offices or bureaus with little in
common, and then write a broad essay that does not directly address the
specific skills relevant to the activities of those offices. Pick offices that deal with closely related
topics or use the same skill-sets.
Be prepared to succeed. You will need to undergo a security clearance
investigation prior to receiving a final offer. Read up on official sources
regarding the clearance process. Don’t
be overly scared by the process, but if you don’t think you will make it
through at this point in your life, it may be worth it to explore other
opportunities. If you decide to go
through with the process, make sure you have the necessary documents in order.
It is probably wise to start gathering the information that you will need for
an SF-86 as soon as you have the time.
Even if you don’t need this information for the State Department, I
suspect many of you will be applying to other government positions that require
background investigations. Above all, answer
your investigator openly and honestly.
Be realistic. Along with the numbers game, you are also up
against some extremely stiff competition. There are some really amazing interns here at
the State Department. Many of them already have experience doing the things
that their offices do. Plenty of them
come from institutions with brand-name titles. I have met more than a few other interns whom
have prior internship experience with the Department of State. While every GSPIAn has a solid resume and
experiences relevant to their degree program, at this stage of the game, so to
speak, the bar has been raised.
Have a backup plan. I was in the same position that many of you
will be in towards the end of next January: I found myself reading an email
telling me I was an alternate selection.
The world did not end. I still went through my background check and
received my security clearance just like the primary selections. I never did get the hoped-for email telling
me that the primary selection had fallen through. I was, however, able to land another, albeit
less prestigious, internship position with the State Department for the summer
that I could do part-time from home via the internet. This was great for me because it fit in with
my schedule of researching for a professor at GSPIA while taking one class that
fulfilled a minor requirement and a second class that strengthened an area of
need in my academic portfolio. Lots of
people who don’t get in find extremely rewarding, career and skill enhancing
internships outside of the Department of State. Honestly, if you think you have the knowledge,
skills, and abilities that the State Department will want as an intern, you will
find many other doors open to you as well.
Try again! The State Department and many other
organizations receive far fewer applications for the fall and spring intern
cycles. If you haven’t thought about
doing the D.C. Semester, explore the opportunities available to you with the
program. I had always planned on doing
the D.C. Semester while at GSPIA, so I polished up my essay and updated my
resume and resubmitted my application package in the spring. Remember, though, if you want to take part in
the D.C. Semester program, you will have to fill out a separate application, as
well as make sure that you are on target for meeting your graduation
requirements. Talk to your career and
enrollment advisors if you have questions. I’ve found each and every one of them to be
extremely helpful with every question or concern I have raised.
I hope that my next post is a bit
shorter and less preach-y. Good luck
applying!
