Internship
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs

Where are you from?  Why did you choose JMU?
I’m originally from Upperville, Virginia, a small village in Northern Virginia. I picked JMU because it was the one Virginia university that stood out to me. While touring campus, I was amazed by the beautiful scenery, the friendly people, and the academic programs. Also, I always knew that I wanted to study abroad which is something JMU is recognized for. 

Why did you decide to participate in Washington Semester?
I wanted to participate in Washington Semester because I knew it was the right step to take to launch towards professional development and figuring out more about myself and what I’m interested in.

What were the highlights of your internship?
My internship was a great experience. I was able to experience a treaty negotiation, visit many government buildings, and learn so much about how the DOJ operates along the way. I had the best supervisors as well who always made sure that I had substantial work and understood what I was doing. 

What were the highlights of your Washington experience as a whole?
There were so many highlights of my Washington Semester experience that made coming back to JMU difficult. Firstly, getting to know more about DC and becoming familiar with navigating the city was important to me. Although I live so close to the city, I had never taken the time to do this. Also, I enjoyed all of the cultural events that we participated in as a group, from the Kennedy Center to all of the amazing restaurants and food that we tried. In addition, the people that I met and contacts that I made are invaluable to me. I met so many intelligent and kind people that were willing to spend time to educate me about their own experiences and so many things that I didn’t know before. 

What advice would you offer to future Washington Semester students?
My advice would be to take advantage of as many opportunities that come your way, whether it’s participating in events with your internship employer or in DC in general. There are so many free things offered so please take advantage of it. I would also recommend trying as much food as possible while you are there. The food is GREAT and there are so many food trucks, cafes, restaurants and more. Be adventurous and culture yourself with international food too. Last and most important, NETWORK! Get out of your comfort zone to network with professionals and JMU alumni. You will not hear it enough, but these are the people who may potentially help you start your career post-graduation!

What are your long-term career plans?
I will be graduating in December 2018 and moving back to NOVA. I recently accepted a job offer with BAE Systems for an intelligence analysis position so when my security clearance processes I will take the first step towards my career. In the meantime, I plan on working, reading and learning for pleasure, and traveling!