For the average person, it is hard to connect the foreign economic policy that we hear about on the news to our daily lives. However, anyone who has performed a Google search in London, drank a Coca-Cola on the beach in Mexico, or even decided to buy a Toyota while in the U.S., has been affected by the economic policy our government creates to facilitate international trade. My name is Helen Robins, and I am a rising senior at Tulane studying management, marketing, and international development. This summer, I have a new title: Department of State, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Intern in Washington, D.C.
The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) works to promote a strong U.S. economy by supporting American businesses around the world and advancing U.S. security through international economic policy. One of the favorite phrases around the office is “economic security is national security,” which shows how deeply economics are intertwined with foreign policy. While EB works to build productive international trade relationships, it also enforces sanctions on terrorist organizations, traffickers, human rights abusers, and corrupt officials.
Interns in EB have responsibilities that range from conducting research to taking notes in meetings. No two days are the same, and there is never a dull moment! Even after interning here for only two weeks, I have already learned about EB’s role in the State Department, the State Department’s role in implementing foreign policy, and the United States’ role in the global economy. Some of my tasks include creating public relations material for the office and summarizing department news for all employees to raise awareness of other offices’ projects and uncover opportunities for collaboration.
The recruiting process for internships with the government starts early – I began my search and application process in September of 2017. Since the process and website seemed difficult to navigate at first, I reached out to Tulane’s Diplomat in Residence and other past interns for help. They gave me great advice on how to choose offices that were a good match for me, create an impactful personal statement, and make my interview stand out. A big tip for applying to positions like mine is to be patient! It can take weeks, or months, to receive news about your application status.
All the effort definitely paid off. Even within my first week on the job, I was working on projects for senior staff, undergoing training on cybersecurity, and creating meaningful relationships with other interns. I’ve already learned to adapt my writing style to be more concise, because people are so busy they need to be able to receive information and make decisions as quickly as possible. The highlight of my first week was attending a meeting with Assistant Secretary Manisha Singh and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Women’s economic empowerment is something I’m extremely interested in, and it’s also a priority for my office. Hearing American businesswomen discuss the challenges they face and brainstorm solutions with the Assistant Secretary was an awesome peek into how the public and private sectors collaborate to find solutions to real-world issues. This priority is also one of the ways that EB aligns with the Newcomb College Institute’s mission to empower women in the 21st century to be leaders in different industries.
(Below, Assistant Secretary Singh talks to NAWBO leaders. You can almost see me taking notes in the back!)
Living in D.C. has been an adventure of its own, with new museums, monuments, and events to discover every day. I am so grateful NCI decided to fund my experience here, which has already afforded me with so much professional and personal growth. Over the next eight weeks, I am looking forward to exploring the city, learning more about policy and economics, and continuing to develop professional skills.