by Cat Haseman
An internship in Washington, D.C. or overseas can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Unfortunately, undergraduate summers are often busy, and unpaid internships can be financially taxing. The Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) program allows students to work remotely with a federal agency while continuing their studies.
Each summer, the VSFS program posts hundreds of e-internship openings with various government agencies. These 8-month long internships begin in September and conclude as classes wrap up in May. Students work remotely on projects for approximately 10 hours each week from the comfort of their dorm rooms, campus library, or local coffee shop.
The VSFS program is mutually beneficial for both students and government workers. By submitting intern projects to the VSFS program, government workers are able to gain new ideas and fresh perspectives from students. Students, on the other hand, gain professional skills, connections, and career direction. To apply or find out more about the program, visit www.state.gov/vsfs/.
Intern Profiles:
Many international studies majors have completed internships through the VSFS program. We interviewed three students to learn more about their projects in the 2017-2018 academic year.
Teaching Internship
Hannah Byrd interned with the U.S. Department of State as a Co-Leader of the Talking Movies Club with the U.S. Embassy in Libya
What is your internship project?
“The purpose of the club is to help Libyan high school and university students improve their English and introduce them to American culture. Along with hosting live discussions about American movies shown on Libyan television channels, I help manage our Facebook group page. I make posts to spark discussion and interact with the members.”
What are the benefits of the program?
“Personally, completing a virtual internship has allowed me to continue my degree program as a full-time student and gain valuable work experience. I spent the last two summers in a language immersion program, but I wanted to complete an internship before I graduate from Baylor. I am also able to engage with work that is not available to me in Waco. This internship complements my degree program and career goals by allowing me to work with students living in an Arab country. I likely could not have found such an ideal internship available to me during the school year if it were not virtual.”
What have you learned from your internship experience?
“It sounds cliche, but I have gained a new appreciation for the common human experience. Movies make us laugh, cry, and question the world around us. Despite language barriers and distinct cultural experiences, movies are an excellent way to celebrate the feelings and experiences we all share.”
Research Internship
Katie Galgano interned with the U.S. Department of State, Office of Economic Development Affairs as a Global Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals Research Intern
What is your internship project?
“Rather than weekly tasks, I have been assigned one continuous, rolling research assignment. My team consists of four interns. We divided up the 193 Member States of the United Nations amongst ourselves in order to designate who would research each country. Through our research, we are compiling a comprehensive report on how each signatory country is implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals at both a domestic and international level… At the end of our internship, the team will prepare a presentation for the Office of Economic Development Affairs.”
What do you think are the benefits of an e-internship?
“With degree plans so strict, it can be hard to experiment and find what interests you. This is an opportunity to do just that, minus the cost of a traditional internship. I chose this project because I found the research stimulating and thought-provoking. In the process of researching and working with my team, I have gained a better look into the type of work I want to pursue after graduation. In many ways, this internship has confirmed my passions.”
What skills or lessons what you learned from your internship?
“I have learned so much in the past few months. My writing has become succinct, clear, and substantive, which is very important in the line of work I aspire to. I have learned how to differentiate valuable information from ‘fluff.’ I have also learned how to effectively communicate over the phone, particularly during a conference call.”
Counterterrorism Internship
Cat Haseman interned with the U.S. Department of State as a Video Editing Intern on the Break ISIS’ Brand: Produce Anti-ISIS Videos Project with the U.S. Embassy in Iraq
What is your internship project?
“I am one of five students commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq to work with the the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE) as a video and story editing intern. Our aim is to produce a series of short videos compiled from interviews with ISIS defectors as well as ISIS detainees who have consented to being interviewed and depicted. The videos are meant to “break ISIS’ brand” through true and compelling stories. This is a great way to make a persuasive and tangible difference by countering the recruitment of those vulnerable to violent extremist messages.”
What do you think are the benefits of an e-internship?
“This opportunity has allowed me to explore the foreign service as a potential career path prior to graduation. My summers have been full of other opportunities and commitments, so it has been great that I can gain this federal work experience during the academic year. ”
What skills or lessons what you learned from your internship?
“Aside from practical videography and editing skills, I have learned a lot about geopolitics and violent extremism. Most of the videos I edit each day contain graphic images and powerful narratives about civil war and religious extremism. This project has allowed me to connect faces and life stories to the geopolitics I read about in the news.”