Dream Of Better Days

I'm so excited for next summer!

When I graduated, I had no real intention of ever going to grad school. After undergrad, I was pretty done with school, and ready to enter the real world. Unfortunately, the real world took no interest in me.

I studied political science and Russian language for my bachelor's degree. My emphasis has been on international relations (American politics just make me mad). So for the most part, the jobs I would get would be in Washington. The other Washington. Unfortunately, living on the west coast makes it harder to find those jobs.

I applied to the Bush School at Texas A&M and also here at Virginia Tech, both for their masters programs in public and international affairs. TAMU was my first choice, by a long shot--their program is geared more towards producing professionals who will pursue careers in public service, with much of their faculty coming from the military and public sector; professionals, not academics. Unfortunately, I got waitlisted there, but I did get into Tech. Either way, I stood to gain two important things: a recognizable name on my next piece of paper (no one's ever heard of WWU), and access to Washington for internship opportunities.

I got my internship.

Next summer, I will be interning in the Office of the Director of Foreign Policy Advisors (POLAD) in the Bureau of Political Military Affairs in the State Department. In short, I'll be interning in the office that serves as a sort of bridge between the Departments of State and Defense. Since my interests lie in national security, international affairs, and the military (I'm sure you're all familiar with my long struggle to become a Navy pilot), this is exactly the kind of internship I need. The deputy director, who has been my point of contact since being offered the position, also hinted that it will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Foreign Service Officer (FSO) Test that gets you in for a career in the State Department, since I'll be working with FSOs during my ten weeks in Washington.

Very exciting. Of course, it also means that just a few months after the boyfriend gets home I'll be leaving for a little while, but at least we won't be far. I'm more worried about the heat!