#PardeeWorks Demystifies State Department
As the inaugural event of the 2015-2016 #PardeeWorks Career Event Series, the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies was proud to bring together students interested in careers at the Department of State on Sept. 15 for a workshop and info session.
In a series of workshops, students networked and received information from recruitment and outreach officer Jim Ellickson-Brown, who demystified the process of applying effectively to one of the most prestigious and competitive internship programs in the world.
“The more research you can do to pitch yourself and your interests very specifically, the better,” Ellickson-Brown said. “Internships at the Department of State allow students to travel all over the world and gain experience in a variety of fields, so it’s important to focus on your goals and explain why you are the right fit for a particular position.”
Going through the Pathways Internship application process and providing information on careers at the State Department, Ellickson-Brown drew on his years of experience as a diplomatic employee to give students insight.
“It’s wonderful that your school is providing a service like this,” Ellickson-Brown said.
Ellickson-Brown was joined by Dean Adil Najam of the Pardee School and Robert Loftis, Director of Graduate Studies and a career diplomat himself. All three were on hand to answer students questions and provide valuable advice during the discussion segment of the event.
“I’ve always been interested in global health and international development, that’s what brought me out today,” said Kembo Matungulu, a Sargent College student considering a minor in International Relations. “I am going to apply for a State Department internship this summer, and I thought this was extremely informative.”
“I’m going to apply to law school next year, so I was looking into these internships as a summer plan,” said Michael Stinnett, a senior at the Pardee School. “You have to be on the ball to intern at the State Department, and I think all the tips I got today will really help me.”
Ellickson-Brown is a former Diplomat-In-Residence at the University of Michigan and served as the State Department’s Public Information Officer in Cyprus.
The next public event in the #PardeeWorks series will be a Resume Workshop on October 1 held in conjunction with the BU Center for Career Development.