Intern with a Puget Sound Alumna in the Department of State!

Hopefully, you've already read the post from January 17 announcing that the US Department of State is now taking applications for Fall 2017 internships. A recent Puget Sound and P&G alumna, Alexandra Scott, currently works for the Office of Public Diplomacy in the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Xandra has this to say about what an internship in her office would look like:

The Department of State's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy (EAP/PD) coordinates America's cultural and digital media communications strategy abroad. I like to say that in a nutshell, our job is to make folks abroad like us more. We support over 30 Posts across the region in implementing their public diplomacy programs, everything from movie nights, to English corners, to art exhibits.We also sponsor a wide variety of cultural exchange programs, including the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI), which has been enormously successful, and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). 

There is no typical day in EAP/PD, simply because our portfolio is so broad. One day, you might help our IVLP coordinator with a delegation of 15 young Malaysians who are in DC to learn how to design sustainable cities. The next day you might help the Digital Media Coordinator with crisis communication plans for posts across the region, ensuring they can keep in contact with American citizens abroad during an emergency. Another day you might get to sit in on a strategy meeting where policymakers are discussing how to combat propaganda. We are a busy office, with lots of opportunities for somebody who is proactive and willing to roll up their sleeves. 

 You can specify what office and bureau you would like to intern with when you apply...so get to it! Go to DC and work with one of our awesome alums!!!