Internship

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine

Where are you from? Why did you choose JMU?

I am from Sterling, VA and grew up moving around different areas in Nothern Virginia. I had heard many postitive aspects of JMU's student life and knew how beautiful the campus was making me want to choose JMU for my undergraduate degree. JMU also has a wonderful reputation in placing students in jobs right after graduation and preparing students with practical skills.  

Why did you decide to participate in Washington Semester? 

Hearing about the program during my freshman year in college I understood this was a fantastic opportunity to gain new skills and learn from individuals in my field. I wanted to gain professional experience in my field of International Affairs and knew the DC area growing up in the area seeing this as a comfortable transition. 

What were the highlights of your internship? 

I had the opportunity to work on Capital Hill and work with a plethora of qualified individuals. While there, I had the exciting opportunity to watch the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, attend foreign policy hearings, and listen in on government agency meetings. 

What advice would you offer to future Washington Semester students?

Adjusting to living in D.C. was a bit more difficult than anticipated due to continuing COVID restrictions and unexpected situations.  I would advise in coming ino the program without any expectations and creating a day-to-day plan for yourself just to adjust. Taking care of yourself is so important even if you think you'll be fine, shifting to a 9-5 job in a new city definitely takes soome getting used to!

What are your long-term career plans?

I would like to work in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in research or intelligence analysis. After gaining some work experience, I plan on pursuing a master's degree in foreign service or international relations while continuing my career within the U.S. government.