Intern at U.S. Department of State
Kristin
Experience Information
Employer: The Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Job Title: Intern
Major: Philosophy
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
I worked at the Department of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked on a variety of projects based on my interests. Here are some of the issues/projects I worked on: - Researching women's access to justice - LGBT issues - Vetting organizations and businesses to donate to the Global Equality Fund - Researching and documenting cases of prisoners of conscience in China - Helping to compile the International Prisons Report
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained a better understanding and appreciation of how the Department of State functions and issues in human rights. I learned a lot about specific human rights issues (especially LGBT rights) and about different countries and regions in which I have an interest.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Being at the Department of State, I had a lot of opportunities to go to various events, discussions, and activities. For example, I attended several brown bag lunches with ambassadors and foreign service officers which I very much enjoyed. They were always really informative and interesting. I also had access to a number of activities specifically set up for interns at the DoS including a tour of the White House and the Library of Congress. Having these opportunities really enriched my experience and made working at the DoS very rewarding.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Initially, I got involved in this internship experience to see whether working at the DoS would be something I would want to do in the future. I also wanted to figure out whether I wanted to work in the field of human rights in some capacity, which is why I chose the Bureau I did. The experience told me that, while I liked working at the Department of State, I would not want to do that for the rest of my life. However, I am still considering pursuing a career with an NGO like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International because the experience did confirm my interest in human rights.