The News

US State Department upcoming opportunities

May 12, 2023
by Timothy Mosehauer

This is a long list (but well worth it) of some very cool things going on with the State Department over the summer, from a good newsletter I get. Read on!

Internships and Fellowships:

Spring 2024 Internships – Applications to Open in June!

The Student Internship Program offers paid internship opportunities for an in-person, 10-week Internship with the U.S. Department of State. It is intended to expand global opportunities for students from all backgrounds who are pursuing post-secondary degrees. All our compensated internships provide opportunities to gain experience and insight into the business of diplomacy as our employees work to advance U.S. interests worldwide. The applications for the Spring 2024 Internship will open on USAjobs.gov in June. Please sign up to receive ongoing updates related to the program and the application opening. Please note the Summer 2024 internship application period will likely open around early October 2023.

Virtual Student Internships for the 2023-2024 Academic Year – Applications to Open in July!

The Virtual Student Federal Service connects the talents of U.S. citizen college students with the needs of federal agencies. The time commitment is about 10 hours per week during the school year. There are opportunities for all, from data visualization to political analysis. Internships are unpaid but may be eligible for course credit. U.S. citizen high school graduates, from rising college freshmen through Ph.D. students, who are enrolled at least half-time (as defined by the school) in college during their application and participation are eligible. Because the program is virtual, students can intern from anywhere. Students apply in July and may apply for up to three internships. For more information, see the VSFS Internship page.

U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program – Applications to Open in August!

Applications open in August for the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program, a two-year program designed to expose undergraduate students to U.S. diplomacy and the work of the U.S. Department of State. This merit and needs-based opportunity is available to undergraduate sophomores and junior students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4-point scale.

U.S. Fulbright Program Applications

The U.S. Fulbright Program is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cycle, with a national deadline of October 10.

Welcoming 2023 Pickering and Rangel Fellows and Gearing Up for 2024 Applications in June-September

The U.S. Department of State looks forward to welcoming our 2023 Pickering and Rangel Fellows, including students from Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin, Brown, Colby, Northeastern, Trinity, Tufts, the University of Hartford, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Wellesley, and Yale.

These new colleagues will receive two internships, tuition assistance, and a stipend as they study for their master’s degrees, and at the completion of their studies will sign a contract to serve as Foreign Service Officers for five years. Rising seniors and college graduates interested in public service who want to study in a major relevant to the Foreign Service with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4-point scale are eligible to apply. Applications for the 2024 Pickering and Rangel cohorts will open in June through September. The programs encourage the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Visit the Pickering and Rangel Graduate Fellowship websites for details.

Clarke DS Fellowship 2024 Applications to Open Soon!

The William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship 2024 cohort application opens soon! The Clarke Fellowship is a path to an exciting and fulfilling career in the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent. The program is a two-year graduate fellowship designed for individuals who want to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in the Foreign Service. This fellowship is perfect for those interested in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Law Enforcement.

Career Opportunities:

Foreign Service Officer Test Registration Now Open for June 2023 Test

The application period for the June 2023 Foreign Service Officer Test opened on April 25 and closes on June 1. The test is available to take on June 3-10 and can now be taken entirely online. Register today at https://home.pearsonvue.com/fsot and read more about our selection process at https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/officer/fso-test-information-and-selection-process/.

Candidates interested in current Foreign Service Specialist and Civil Service opportunities can click the Apply Now link on our careers website.

USAID Vacancy Announcement

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently released a solicitation to recruit new Foreign Service Backstop 70 Humanitarian Assistance Officers (HAO). All are encouraged to apply even if you do not have Federal Government experience – see the link above for details. Also please see this useful page that explains how to set-up notifications for future job announcements.

State Programs:

May is the start of commencement season, and Secretary Blinken traveled to Atlanta to deliver commencement remarks at Georgia Tech on May 6.

May is also Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM). On May 18 from 3:30-4:30 PM Eastern, join Diplomat in Residence for Southern California Katelyn Choe in an online panel discussion with colleagues who will discuss their varied careers, how they came to the Foreign Service, and the challenges they have overcome along the way to achieve success. On May 19 from 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern, Diplomat in Residence for New York Metro Kyla Brooke will lead an online senior leader interview with Under Secretary Uzra Zeya about her diplomatic career as an Asian American woman in the Foreign Service.

Diplomacy in TV:

Keri Russell’s new series The Diplomat is generating buzz as she plays a U.S. Ambassador serving in London. You can follow the actual U.S. Embassy to the United Kingdom on their Facebook page, and see photos and video from President Biden’s visit in April. U.S. Embassy Khartoum is also in the news. Though the United States temporarily suspended operations and evacuated U.S. Government personnel, our colleagues are continuing to support negotiations for an end to hostilities and providing information and assistance to U.S. citizens in Sudan.

Other Agencies:

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) is having a virtual job fair on Monday, May 22. They are actively recruiting for the following roles:
–International Trade Specialist
–International Economist
–Business & Industry Analyst
–Management & Program Analyst
Participants may have the opportunity to participate in same-day interviews!
Registration is required and the deadline to register is Thursday, May 18 at 5 p.m. EST.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gW5kdjvG

Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program

May 12, 2023
by Timothy Mosehauer

Meridian is pleased to announce the opening of the application process for the 2023 U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program.

This came our way from a generous alum who shared it, who loved the program when he did it!

This year’s exchange program will take place from mid-July to early August (exact dates to be confirmed as soon as possible). The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and funded jointly in partnership with the Committee on Unification, Foreign Affairs, and Trade of the Republic of Korea National Assembly. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with their Korean counterparts in Washington, DC and then represent the United States in South Korea. If accepted in the program, PARTICIPANT COSTS ARE COMPLETELY SPONSORED.

Ideal candidates will:

Demonstrate willingness to experience Korean culture and participate in cross-cultural exchange;
Possess the ability to represent the U.S. and their Congressional office as an “Ambassador” to Korea;
Play host to their Korean counterpart during the Washington, DC portion of the program;
Fully familiarize themselves with provided reading materials and program itinerary;
Actively participate in discussions during professional appointments with questions and analysis; and
Demonstrate professionalism and respect for all participants and hosts throughout the program.

Additionally, applicants should be U.S. citizens who have completed at least two years of university studies. Preference is given to applicants between ages 21 and 27 with an enthusiasm for international travel and cultural dialogue and with little or no previous travel experience to Korea. Applicants will also need a recommendation from a Member of the United States Congress. The application deadline is Sunday, May 21, 2023.

Interested parties should visit https://www.meridian.org/project/2023-u-s-congress-republic-of-korea-national-assembly-exchange-program/ for more information and application materials.

10 Steps to a Successful Summer Internship

May 9, 2023
by Noel Ermer

Congratulations! You found an internship. Here comes the fun part.

Internships are a great way to practice being an adult: you get to manage your life in the way you choose, decide what career areas to explore, and work alongside professionals in your chosen field. However, this newfound flexibility can be an adjustment, and navigating it for the first or second time can be a challenge. Here, I give ten easy-to-follow tips in order to ensure you have a successful summer internship.

Set Goals

Goal setting is a tool that you will take with you throughout your life. At the beginning of your internship, it is important to establish some guidelines and specific goals that you hope to accomplish over the summer. Having concrete goals in mind will increase the likelihood they will be completed and will improve your overall satisfaction with your internship experience. Write your goals down and be sure to revisit them periodically over the summer to see if you are on target or if your goals change based on what you are learning.

Say “Yes”

During your summer, there will be moments when you can take on more responsibility. Take the initiative and say “yes.” Even though summer is a time to relax and wind down from the hectic school year, challenging yourself in a work setting is important when learning about yourself outside of a school setting. The more you say “yes,” the more experience you will have in the field. With that said, do not take on more work than you are able, but try your best to challenge yourself without sacrificing your emotional or physical well-being.

Communicate with your Supervisor

Last summer, the CCI funded my friend’s internship. After starting, she was placed on a project that was very different than her expectations for the internship. With her advisor, she discussed alternative projects that she could work on, and her advisor accommodated her.

In this case, my friend’s internship was flexible and she was able to pivot projects. This may not necessarily be the case with everyone’s role, so it’s important to “read the room,” and assess how/if you can change things up if your experience is not meeting your expectations. The key takeaway here is to communicate with your supervisor – about what you want to learn, if you want more responsibility, when things are challenging for you, or if you need help.

Manage your time wisely

There may be a point in your internship where you feel like you have too much on your plate. Communicate with your supervisor and ask how to best prioritize your time and follow their advice. Try making a schedule and keep yourself accountable for sticking to it.

Be a sponge.

As a college student, there is so much you can learn outside of the classroom; after all, that’s why internships exist! Different roles have different levels of responsibility, but no matter the context, try to soak everything up. Be a sponge. Go to every meeting you are invited to and if your supervisor doesn’t think to invite you, ask if there are certain meetings you could attend, so you can learn more. Take in the environment and the way the coworkers interact with each other. Eventually, you will want to ask yourself: is this the kind of environment I aspire to work in? Am I motivated by this work?

Bring your unique experiences and perspectives to the table.

Everyone has something unique to bring to the table – whether that is a special aptitude or skill, a unique perspective, or an ability to communicate with ease. When possible, try to bring your strengths and perspectives to the table. This will allow you to feel confident in your contributions to the internship and will leave a lasting impression.

Keep track of your projects.

Summer is a hectic time when so many things are going on. Try to take some time to reflect and note all of the progress you have made on all of your work. This will allow you to remember all of the progress you made this summer and will make it easier to talk about it when it comes to future interviews.

Talk to everyone.

Networking: How frightening! In practice, networking does not have to seem as daunting as you may initially think. It is important to maintain good relationships with those with whom you work – may that be coworkers, advisors, or even people working in other divisions of the organization. Internships are a fantastic opportunity to meet people and make long-lasting business connections.

Ask your supervisor or other contacts for a quick 10-15 minute conversation about their paths. While it is possible they may not respond or have time, many people love passing on their wisdom and enjoy speaking about themselves.

Say “Thank You”.

A lot of work and time went into mentoring you and preparing for your internship. Once your work is winding down, make sure you give proper thanks to those who helped you most. This could mean something as simple as a thank you note, or even buying them a small gift to express your gratitude.

Keep in touch!

Keep in touch with your supervisor, your coworkers, and other employees to follow along on the progress of your project. This will allow you to speak about it more concretely in interviews and you can see the lasting impacts of your work.

By Noel Ermer

Noel Ermer ‘23 is a senior at Middlebury College studying Biochemistry and Spanish. During her time at Middlebury, she has received two summer funding grants and has worked for the CCI since May 2020. After graduating, Noel will be moving to the DC area to work as a management consultant analyst at Accenture Federal Services.

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