Interview by Isabelle Zgorzelski

Mason Scott has always had an interest in international relations and politics. With the intent to work for the U.S. government in this field after undergraduate school at Baylor, he realized that it would take more steps to get him to where he wanted to be in his career. From undergrad at Baylor University, to graduate school at Seton Hall University, and law school at George Mason University, Mason has utilized much of what he has learned academically and professionally to work for his current job at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

After graduating from Baylor University, Mason decided to attend graduate school to receive his MA in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University. This time at graduate school gave him the ability to strengthen his research and writing skills and gain a deeper understanding of global politics. Yet, Mason realized that he had more to learn in international relations and national security and decided to attend law school at George Mason University. In a two-year gap between graduate school and law school, Mason managed a restaurant to support himself financially and learned team management and customer service skills. Much of what he learned in his time managing a restaurant, he was able to apply to his academic studies, projects with other students, and legal internships. His first internship in law school was working in a District Attorney’s Office where he supported the prosecutors. Here, Mason was able to see firsthand what it was like to work in a courtroom and learned that this was not the path he wanted to take with his law degree.

During his final year of law school, Mason applied to and was selected for the Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF). The PMF Program is a 2-year federal fellowship, that offers the opportunity to convert to a permanent federal position at the end of the fellowship. In September of 2022, Mason completed his fellowship and was offered a position to work on one of the communications teams at the NIH. This role allows Mason to use many of the skills he honed at law school including his research and writing abilities, time management skills, and his ability to make clarity out of complex language. As a Communications Specialist, he drafts messaging for senior leadership, helps to maintain the institute’s website, and manages a wide variety of other projects for the communications team.

In advice to current students, Mason expressed how it is important to put in the extra work as an undergraduate student because this is the foundation for your future opportunities. Whether it be taking the opportunity to go on a study abroad or taking a challenging academic course, Mason says that you will learn more about yourself in what you like and what you don’t like. Some of his favorite courses focused on international governmental systems and comparative politics. Mason encourages students to try different opportunities while at Baylor because those experiences can help you learn what you may want to pursue after graduation.

For more information about the Presidential Management Fellows Program and how you could pursue opportunities in the federal government after achieving an advanced degree, check out the link above.