Washington D.C. Internship 2023 at the US Department of State: Part 1

The Selection

Washington D.C. March 2023

My time at the Department of State, the benefits of it’s opportunities, and what there is to learn as a student has prepared me for the road of understanding what it is that I desire in my life. If there is a purpose that so encourages me to further my career and my pathway in life to one day commit whole-heartedly to civil and foreign service, there is no better place to decide that than right here at the US Department of State.

I would like to add, that this opportunity did not come easy, and there was actually a sense of dread and excitement mixed in with each other. I was never expecting to be selected, in fact it was the 5th time I had ever applied for the position. In 4 years, I had applied to opportunities spanning the globe in search of the proper internship role that would provide me with insight on the future of my life.

When the email was received in my inbox about the PAID internship opportunity with global stations at embassies around the world, I jumped on the application process as soon as I could, reviewing my resume, updating cover letters and all other necessary items that could in any way provide an edge to my selection. I poured my heart out into the application writing prompts, discussing my dreams and achievements, as well as what I am grateful to provide and overcome.

When I had gotten the email notification to apply, this was in June of 2022. I hadn’t heard back from the Department of State until late October the same year. The email I received then was an absolute shock, as my expectations were low; but as I sat in Pascal’s Coffeehouse, studying and doing work directly after my college classes at the University of Florida, I nearly threw my iPad across the room. They said that I had been “tentatively” selected for the position, alas I was waitlisted and another applicant was set as the primary applicant for the role.

Of course, I was a bit disappointed, but I was thankful that I was still considered. A follow up email suggested that as a waitlisted applicant, if we did not hear back from the State Department by February 1, 2023, then we were not selected and to email would be a waste of time. I put it in the back of my mind and took a trip to Peru for the second time that year of 2022 in December (which we will cover in my other blogs).

When I returned to the states in January of 2023, I wasn’t expecting much from the internship as it had been months since last hearing from them. I switched gears and starting focusing on the last classes needed between the Spring and Fall semesters to graduate with my Bachelor’s in International Studies at UF. February 1st came and went with no indication about me going to the internship, I wiped my hands at yet another attempt of being selected and mentally prepared to finish strongly in my classes, finding the silver lining in that I will still manage to graduate on time.

February 7th, 2023:

“Are you still interested?”

I received an email from the Student Internship Program that morning. I was in disbelief. I was unsure how the timing became so illusive, but I nonetheless replied with my enthusiasm that yes, indeed I was interested. Within 30 minutes I was met with a flurry of conducive messages affirming my selection, and the requirements of having to fill out numerous forms of paperwork in order to have the process solidified and confirmed that I would make it. They gave me a choice of 2 dates- February 13th, or February 27th. Both of these were 1 week and 2 weeks apart from the date I read my acceptance email which left me with very little time to consider any other options. I either confirmed it and picked my dates at that time, or I didn’t make it. Naturally, I picked the latest date I could considering I just had so much that was necessary for me to do before I left.

Within my responsibilities, I work a part-time job as an assistance flight operations manager at a local private jet charter company, I am in the Army National Guard, and I also go to school full-time. In order for me to go on this internship, I had to give a very, very short notice to everyone involved- my bosses, professors, and commanders that I will, without a doubt be taking this opportunity.

Quite honestly, I felt as though the shine of luck that was graciously given to me allows the stars to align in favor of my trip to D.C. Everyone was on board. I couldn’t believe it when my commander said that it was fine for me to take make-up days at a local armory in order to go on the internship, or that my job was completely 100% supportive of the opportunity, and even my academic advisor and everyone at UF and my billing sponsors for my classes to take on the headache of transferring me out of my in-person classes to swap into a 6 credit internship course that still counts towards my degree. Everything was unbelievable.

Within 2 weeks, I had everything put together. I bought 3 suits from Goodwill, had them immaculately tailored, and my goals finally getting my foot in the door at the Department of State were finally coming to fruition right before my eyes. After 2 weeks of anxiety build-up and waiting, I bought my tickets through the Department of State portal, and the experience began.