Third Annual DC Career Program Huge Success

Third Annual DC Career Program Huge Success

This past intersession the International Studies Program once again hosted the three-day career program in Washington DC. On the trip, students explored the numerous career paths available to them within the realm of international affairs and developed critical career-building skills. The students were given the opportunity to speak with well-versed mid-career professionals through various site visits and classroom discussions.

From January 22-24th, 2020, students visited acclaimed institutions across DC and gained first-hand knowledge from active professionals. These sites included the Department of State, the Pentagon, the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Senate, USAID, Facebook DC, the Cohen Group, and Akin Gump LLP. Additionally, the students learned from guest speakers about career fields related to journalism, the intelligence community, think tanks, and non-profits.  A highlight of the program was an alumni networking reception where the students were able to mingle with recent graduates of the International Studies Program and learn about where they are now.

The trip was generously co-sponsored by the Homewood Life Design Lab, Intersession Programs, and the International Studies Alumni Affinity Group. The trip was led by alum Joel Meyer ’04. Mr. Meyer is currently the Vice President of Government and Corporate Markets at Predata and has previously served on the White House National Security Council and in the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security.

U.S. Senate site visit
Meeting with staffers in the office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).
Group photo
The students at the National Diplomacy Museum at the U.S. Department of State.
Facebook DC speaker
Shaarik Zafar, Public Policy Manager at Facebook DC, speaks with the students.
Students at Facebook
Asking a question at Facebook DC.
Yahoo News classroom talk
Hopkins alum and Yahoo News national security reporter Jenna McLaughlin talks about her path so far in journalism.
Intelligence community classroom talk
Former CIA analyst Andrea McFeely speaks about working in the intelligence community.
Akin Gump site visit
Christian Davis, a Partner at Akin Gump LLC, and his colleagues speak to the group about international trade law.