The Foreign Service Journal, December 2019

84 DECEMBER 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT I would hear something in the next few weeks. Five days later I had the intern- ship. I never did get that French embassy internship, but I applied multiple times anyway. I applied for AFSA internships several times before I finally got one; sometimes it takes a few tries to get the desired result. Be stubborn, and don’t lose hope. Internships are competitive, and some of it is sheer luck. Interview Preparation These days, interviews can be conducted in person or by phone or video call. My internship interviews have all been by phone. Research the organization (e.g., its mission statement, leadership, hierarchy, projects); have this information with you at the time of the interview. Familiarize yourself with the organization’s website; have it open during the interview. Know your interviewer’s title, name and posi- tion. You did the initial research when making your list of possible internships; now it’s time to delve deeper into the organization. Maybe a notable project is going on, and you’d like to get in on it. Be sure to mention your eagerness “to contribute to X project so that X result can be achieved.” Finding a balance between complimenting the organization and highlighting your achievements and qualifications is tricky—it takes practice. Know why you want that particular internship. What do you want out of it? What skills would you like to develop? Have a ready-made statement like what is in your cover letter. Here’s an example: “I’d like to gain a better understanding of how the Foreign Service works, and interning with X organization/ office/etc. would help me do this.” Talk about yourself, but also talk about the organization and what you can do for it. Compile a list of possible questions, as well as a list of what you’d like to ask the interviewers. For each question, have a succinct answer with proof. For example, if you think they’ll ask what Word to the Wise: State Department Internships I f you land a coveted State Department internship, chances are good you’ll get a lot out of it. You’ll be on the front lines, helping promote U.S. foreign policy from its beginning to execution, overseas and at home. It isn’t all positive, however—there are some important factors to consider when deciding whether to accept such an internship. Slow security clearance process. Don’t expect to have several months to plan your trip to Washington, D.C., or an overseas post. Last-minute clear- ances are common. If you don’t receive your security clearance in time, I learned, your overseas internship will be canceled, through no fault of your own. Many points of contact. When applying to work at an overseas post, expect multiple people to handle your processing—and be aware they don’t always talk to one another. I recommend keeping all parties updated on everyone else’s actions, especially concerning the security clearance process. You won’t get rich. The costs associated with getting to and living in D.C. or overseas may pose too great a financial burden for students. Currently, the Pathways Program is the only paid internship program that State offers. specific experience you have that would contribute to a certain project, be ready to describe a project, paper, event or challenge that showcases a skill or qual- ity connected to the internship. Think about teamwork, independent work, timeliness, writing and research abilities, communication, and so on. The classic “two strengths and a weakness” question is sure to show up—prepare an answer. Keep all prepared questions and answers in a Word document so that you can find them during the phone interview. Preparing for an interview is time consuming. Accept this challenge, and look at the interview as an opportunity to practice your interview skills. Even if you don’t get this internship, it’ll help you prepare for the next application. Seemingly unrelated jobs can be relevant if you can draw a connection between them and the internship.