Program

U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program

Organization

U.S. Department of State

Opportunity Type

Internship

About the Program

During the summer of 2014, The Department of State launched a new internship program, the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP), which offers a limited number of two-summer ten-week internships to interested candidates to familiarize them with diplomacy and the Foreign Service. The first USFSIP summer entails a few weeks of classroom instruction in U.S. diplomatic history, professional writing, foreign policy operations and career skills. That is followed by an internship on a policy desk at the State Department in Washington, D.C. The second summer involves an internship at a U.S. Embassy overseas. Selected students are paid an entry level salary and qualify for transit benefits in Washington. This program also pays for travel and assists with housing. The USFSIP is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college and are currently enrolled in a degree program. To apply, students must submit the USFSIP application on USA Jobs, which will include a transcript, an expository essay on an assigned topic and a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA). Applicants must also arrange for two letters of recommendation. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Diplomat-In-Residence for their area to discuss their interest; see http://careers.state.gov/connect/dir. The deadline for applying to the USFIP for 2015-16 is October 3, 2014. In line with the State Department’s commitment to foster a diverse and representative workforce, women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The USFSIP operates in the summer except for a few small requirements during the intervening year. This program is in a pilot phase; so it is subject to change.

Program Location

Washington, DC

Application Deadline

October 03, 2018

Application Website

careers.state.gov/usfsip

Description

Outstanding academic performance, significant achievements, relevant experience and strong indications of interest in foreign affairs or public service are important considerations in the selection process. The selection committee will look for accomplishments and potential in the following dimensions that have been found important to success in the Foreign Service: Cultural Adaptability Information Integration and Analysis Initiative and Leadership Judgment Oral Communication Written Communication Planning and Organizing Working with Others The committee will also take into account financial need and/or history of other adversity to overcome. Note that if selected for any State Department internship, you will receive a conditional offer; it is not a guarantee of employment. You must then apply for and receive a security clearance before the offer is confirmed, which takes several months and sometimes much longer. You must maintain that security clearance to continue in the program. Like all Department employees, interns are subject to random drug testing and to the rules governing classified information and other materials as well as the standards of ethics. Please see specific information regarding each portion of the application below.

To be considered for this internship, you must: Be in your sophomore or junior year when applying to the internship; Have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA; Be a U.S. citizen; Plan to return to school the year following the first internship. To apply, you must: Fully complete the USFSIP application when open at USA Jobs; Upload your transcript(s); Write and upload an expository essay of 500 – 550 words on a defined topic (see below); Upload your Student Aid Report from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; Arrange for two letters of recommendation to be emailed to the USFSIP staff (see below).

Open to residents of:

Open to students attending school in:

Minimum GPA

Year in School

• College Sophomore
• College Junior

Citizenship

• U.S. Citizens

Keywords

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