Since the beginning the Obama Administration, there are two issues that have had a significant effect on the hiring of international development professionals by the US Agency for International Development.
Washington DC
Who’s Where in Public Diplomacy
In the past few days, we’ve helped to define the concept of Public Diplomacy (PD) as the foundation concept of our dual-degree with the Newhouse School. We have also told the stories of Adam Cyr and Jennifer Osias, who has recently completed exceptional internships in traditional public diplomacy-linked organizations. However, here at Maxwell we do have an expansive definition of PD, which includes public advocacy, organizational communications, and government relations work.
Adam Cyr (IR/PR ’15) – Voice of America
I spent two months working for the Voice of America in Washington D.C. The VOA is the official external broadcast institution of the U.S. government and works under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Acronym Salad: Part II – The IC
The section of the U.S. government that is literally and metaphorically shrouded in secrecy is the intelligence community.
While all of the constituent agencies have public presences, they each have different functions and specializations.
Thus, if you area student seeking to serve in an analytic or management roles within these agencies as professionals, it is useful to understand which agency is the best conceptual fit. It is also useful to attempt an internship within one of these agencies, as it would secure valuable career preparation for work in the IC. For information about those opportunities, visit the individual websites of each of the IC members.
Acronym Salad: Part I – USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the U.S. Government’s primary agency for international development and humanitarian assistance. Given the breadth of its programming, the agency and its workers will often use short-hand notation to describe the offices in which they work and the programs that are carried out within.
In this edition of acronym salad, we will discuss two primary acronyms of use to potential development workers, IQC (Indefinite Quantity Contracts) and PVO (Private Voluntary Organizations)
How the State Department Selects Interns
Over the past two days, we have talked about State Department Internships, as well as how to make your application stand out. Now, I’d like to touch on how the department selects its interns. Much of this is laid out in the Student Internship Program Brochure. Continue Reading
Staying in the U.S. after graduation
Many international students inquire about advice on how best to find work opportunities in the U.S. upon completion of their degree program. In October 2006, the Career and Alumni Services office hosted an alumni panel that provided advice to students seeking to work in the U.S. Below is some of their advice. Continue Reading
International Affairs within the US Government
While the search for international affairs jobs in the U.S. government often starts with the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of Defense, it doesn’t necessarily have to end there. In 2013, the Robertson Foundation for Government, GovLoop, and the Association of Professional Schools in International Affairs (APSIA), published “Making an Impact_Guide to International Jobs in Government,” which provides details on the 50 federal agencies and offices that have international components. If you are interested in working in the international arena for the US government, it behooves you to take a look.
Diplomacy and Development Organization
As parts of the United States government, the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have complicated organizational systems. Given the interlocking tasks and multiple hierarchical layers, it is important for those interested in working in the system to have a working knowledge of these organization structures as they consider their potential career path. Thus, we’ve prepared a quick guide to all of the major offices in both organizations for your use. Continue Reading
Alex W. – The Public Affairs Sector in Washington
This fall, I interned at a public affairs consulting firm. Thanks to this experience I learned a tremendous amount about the professional expectations of Washington DC and the political culture of our nation’s capital. Continue Reading