Stories, Experiences, & Advice
Student Blog
Our blog posts are written by Penn students for Penn students, to share tips and strategies for success in Washington. This is a new project for us; scroll down for State Department, Networking, and FGLI advice, and remember to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for new blog series announcements.
STATE DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP SERIES
7. First Day at the State Department
Surprisingly, I, a Ukrainian immigrant who visits family in Ukraine frequently, received my security clearance before the two born and raised Americans in the cohort who also applied for internships at State. The security clearance process can be tough. A former...
8. First Week at the State Department
One question that came up even during the interview was the question of availability. To show my interest in the internship, I told my interviewer that I was willing to work 40 hours per week. As far as I can tell, how your schedule turns out in the end is a...
9. Meetings, Meetings, and More Meetings
Before the start of my internship, I wondered about the type of work I would do, and whether or not I would a) be really busy or b) have little to do My experience has oscillated between the two, but from my conversations with current and previous interns, the...
NETWORKING SERIES
Tip #6: Thank You!
A quick summary interview tips: ● Be 2-5 Minutes Early ● Be the Center of Your Screen ● Research, Prepare Questions ● Dress for Success ● Build Rapport Back to the story. You’ve just ended your Zoom call. Before you go to class or do your next task, send a thank...
Tip #7: Maintaining your connections
A quick summary of follow-up tips: ● Remember to send prompt follow-ups ● Make sure your follow-up is substantive, genuine, and specific to your conversation. If you’ve come this far in your relationship-building adventure, you’ve likely seen that relationships...
Navigating D.C. on a Budget Series
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