Home: Barnard College/Columbia University
Major: Political Science, English minor
“A CNS internship is a great opportunity to be educated in the intricacies of the field of nonproliferation, and to get your foot in the door at the field’s top institution. There is near-daily access to top diplomats, analysts, politicians, and academics. The number of interns also means that you will know other people your age in Monterey who share your interests.”
Home Institution: University of Georgia
Major: International Affairs and Russian Language
“I came into this program with the hope to learn about nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, however, I did not expect that I would develop a passion for the subject. Perhaps my favourite aspect about this internship was meeting and working side by side with experts, which also includes former government employees and diplomats. It was a golden opportunity to develop my skills in producing a variety of research products, learning how to analyze geospatial data, and enlarging my scope of knowledge in the field. Most importantly, this experience has helped me to realize where I would like to develop my personal expertise in.”
Home Institution: Cornell University
Major: Government
“The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies undergraduate internship is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about diplomacy, intelligence, security, international relations, and the field of nonproliferation. Since the internship is focused on the interns, students can develop research and analytical skills that are useful in a variety of careers. Working directly with supervisors and professors enables interns to gain valuable research experiences, whether for independent or collaborative projects.
This internship is especially beneficial for motivated students who want to take initiative on projects of interest and utilize the knowledge and academic resources available to them at CNS to explore areas of nonproliferation. All interns, regardless of interests, benefit from an array of lectures on topics from countries’ missile and nuclear weapons programs to international treaty negotiations to the dismantling of chemical and biological weapons stockpiles.”
Home Institution: Colby College
Major: Global Studies and Environmental Policy
“This internship has allowed me to get to know some incredibly funny, kind, and hardworking students and I have had so much fun getting to know them. I have loved living in Monterey and getting to see otters and seals close by. I would recommend this internship for anyone that has a research project that they want to work on.”
Home Institution: Middlebury College
Major: International Politics and Economics
“This internship program really invests in your education in nonproliferation. Many interns this year came into the program with very limited backgrounds in nonproliferation, but through all the lectures from experts in the field we left with the knowledge to engage in very nuanced discussions and debates about both the political and technical sides of nuclear weapons.”
Home Institution: University of Georgia
Major: International Affairs
“This internship is a great opportunity for people who are interested in learning more about the field of nonproliferation. The lectures by CNS professionals are very insightful.
If you are interested in learning more about the nonproliferation regime, this internship is for you!”
“Big Nuke Energy” Advocates for Female Voices in Nonproliferation
Tenzin Yangchen
Home Institution: Agnes Scott College
Major: Psychology, Minor: Religious Studies
“The emphasis of CNS on multifaceted and complex global issues like nuclear security and nonproliferation makes it a one of a kind research fellowship program…It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to hear lectures from CNS staff and nuclear experts.”
Alexander Davies
Home Institution: Cornell University
Major: International Security and Computer Science
“The lectures delivered by CNS staff were invaluable in broadening my understanding of nonproliferation. It was clear that every staff member loved their field and they explained difficult aspects of nonproliferation in an interesting and cogent manner…My project looked at how nuclear weapons may affect alliance decisions by states. It combined international relations theory with nonproliferation. [This work] helped me gain insight into academic research within the social sciences, something that I had not done before. It was great to have the opportunity to work in this field.”