2021 U.S. State Department Internships Town Hall: Recording

Published: April 30, 2020
Town Hall flier

UPDATE: Find the recording of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/CUDenverStudyAbroad/videos/539849146904113/

Summary by Stephen Jefferson

As a soon to be graduate from the International Studies Department, I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from two qualified State Department Officials right before my departure from the institution. The first to introduce herself was retired Ambassador Cathryn Ebert-Gray. Second was Scot Smith, current Foreign Service Officer with over 18 years of experience working internationally and within the U.S. Thanks to the organization and planning by Study Abroad Coordinator, Saira Yasmin Hamidi from University of Colorado’s Department of Global Education, I was able to learn directly from Ambassador Cathryn Ebert-Gray and DoS Foreign Service Officer Scott Smith during these tumultuous times. They shared insight about some of the best ways to execute a path after graduation towards furthering my education, but more importantly where I can apply for financial funding from scholarships within the Department of State. These scholarships offer direct internships within the DoS or work upon completion of the graduate program pursued. Thankfully, the Zoom Meeting with these wonderfully informative individuals is posted so the breakdown and basic understanding is accessible to anyone looking for assistance in their own path to work internationally and/or within the Department of State. Fortunately, for students at the University of Colorado, Cathryn has recently joined the institution as a new and vital resource within the Department of Global Education. She offered her time to help review and advise students or alumni applying to the U.S. Department of State, but beyond that has transitioned to work within the University to support students’ ambitions to study and work internationally. Some tidbits of advice she offered during the Zoom Meeting included the fact that there is often more than just one agency within embassies overseas. There have been up to forty different agencies working under the United States Department of State in an embassy overseas, not just an ambassador. DoS agencies work globally to support work the U.S. is participating in with that country. Furthermore, for those who are looking to gain valuable internship or work experience as a fresh graduate, she (and Scott) highly recommend applying to countries that are not going to be the norm, or in other words that are less competitive because of the fewer number of applicants. Scott provided a short and very helpful PowerPoint that breaks down the information discussed briefly. It also highlights specific scholarships and internship programs that the DoS is running, even now during covid-19. The most significant aspect I took away is the huge variety of candidates and positions they are looking to fulfill, meaning that there are opportunities for students and alumni of all academic fields. Now that I have completed my degree, I look back and wish I knew of these internship and scholarship opportunities within the DoS offered to undergraduates. That is why I want to share this information from the perspective of a student who could have benefitted from resources, such as this Zoom Meeting, during my academic career.

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Attached please find the flier for a virtual Town Hall about future internship opportunities with the U.S. Dept. of State featuring two diplomats in Colorado: Scott Smith, the Diplomat in Residence for the Rocky Mountain Region, and our very own Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray.

The link to register in Handshake is:

https://ucdenver.joinhandshake.com/events/493109/share_preview

We acknowledge that many students are tired, getting ready for finals, have zoom fatigue, and are ready for the semester to end.  We also acknowledge those students who have been enjoying these virtual events as opportunities to connect with others and plan for the future.  We believe this event is one that can give students something to look forward to.