U.S. Department of State 

Internship Program

E P L U R I BU S 

U N U M 

E P L U R I B U S 

U N U M 
 

Internship Program Information

To apply, just visit our web site at http://careers.state.gov/ and click on 

“Student Programs” to access “Gateway to State.” It’s that easy! 

DEADLINES 

Applications must be RECEIVED by the appropriate deadline below: 

SUMMER INTERNSHIP - NOVEMBER 1 

FALL INTERNSHIP - MARCH 1 

SPRING INTERNSHIP – JULY 1 

The U.S. Department of State is committed to equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment of all without 

regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, political affiliation, 

marital status, or prior statutory, constitutionally protected activity. The Student Programs office at the U.S. 

Department of State provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a 

reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify our office at this e-mail 

address: StudentPrograms@state.gov. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a caseby-case basis. 
 

Table of Contents 

Part I: Internship Program Information 

Pages

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1

Internship Program ....................................................................................................... 2

 Who is Eligible ............................................................................................................... 2

 Types of Internships ...................................................................................................... 2

 Length of Internships .................................................................................................... 3

 Salary and Benefits ....................................................................................................... 3

 Housing .......................................................................................................................... 4

 Medical Insurance for Overseas Internships ............................................................... 4

 Metrochek Transit Benefits ........................................................................................... 4

Selection and Clearance Process ................................................................................ 5

 How Interns are Selected ............................................................................................. 5

 Security Clearance Process .......................................................................................... 5

 Random Drug Testing ................................................................................................... 6

 Final Offer of Appointment ........................................................................................... 6

What to Expect as a State Department Intern ......................................................... 7

 Duties of an Intern ........................................................................................................ 7

 Intern Activities ............................................................................................................. 7

 Proper Attire .................................................................................................................. 8

 Other Student Employment Programs ........................................................................ 8

Application Instructions ............................................................................................... 9

 Applying Online via USAJOBS (“Gateway to State”).................................................... 9

 Your Application Package .............................................................................................. 9

 Submitting Your Application ......................................................................................... 11

 Accessing Your Application ........................................................................................... 11

 Application Checklist ..................................................................................................... 12

Application Processing Timetable .............................................................................. 13

Fellowship Opportunities .............................................................................................. 14

Part II: Bureau Information 

Pages

Chart for Selecting Bureaus ......................................................................................... 15

Description of Participating Bureaus ......................................................................... 17
 

Part I: Internship Information 
 
 

1 

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 

 

Who We Are The U. S. Department of State is the official international relations arm of the 

President of the United States. The Department is responsible for formulating, 

implementing and supporting U.S. foreign policy, assisting U.S. citizens abroad 

and managing the human and material resources that provide the platform for 

U.S. foreign policy. Members of the Department’s Foreign Service and Civil 

Service are engaged in issues such as conflict resolution, nuclear nonproliferation, 

human rights and democracy, environmental issues, world trade, public 

diplomacy, and the promotion of the interests of Americans and their businesses 

abroad. Department of State employees are also involved in support and 

management issues—improving logistical systems to get the best possible value 

for tax dollars. 

As you will see on pages 17 – 42, the Department of State is composed of many 

different bureaus, some “regional” (for example, the Bureau of African Affairs), 

and others “functional”, dealing with specific external issues or internal 

responsibilities (such as the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; the 

Bureau of Administration; and the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs). 

 The State 

Department’s 

Mission 

To administer U.S. foreign policy and maintain diplomatic relations throughout 

the world. 

 

The Objectives of the 

Internship 

Program

 To encourage students to consider careers in foreign affairs

 To provide students with valuable work experience in a foreign affairs agency 

 To aid the Department in achieving its mission 
 

2 

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 

You are 

eligible to 

apply if you 

are: 

• A U.S. citizen 

• A student. A student is an individual who has been accepted for enrollment, 

or who is enrolled, as a degree-seeking student in an accredited college or 

university. 

• A full- or part-time continuing college or university junior, senior, or graduate 

student. An applicant is considered a junior if he/she will have completed all 

sophomore credits (60 or more semester hours or 90 quarter hours) by the 

time the internship begins and will be entering at least the junior year 

immediately following completion of the internship. 

• In good academic standing in an accredited institution 

IMPORTANT: You may apply for the Department’s internship program if you have 

not yet completed your registration at a college or university or are awaiting an 

admissions determination. However, if selected for an internship, you may not 

begin your internship until you provide proof that you have registered, or have 

been accepted for enrollment, for studies in the semester or quarter immediately 

following the internship. 

In accordance with the Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program, the 

Department encourages women and minority students to apply for these 

positions. 

Types of 

Internships 

There are two different types of internships: domestic and overseas. 

• Domestic – About half of the internships are in Washington, D.C. A limited 

number of intern positions are available at Department offices in other large 

cities in the United States. 

• Overseas – The remaining internships are at our embassies and consulates 

abroad. Not all overseas posts are able to participate in the program, and 

participation may vary from year to year. For more information, please refer 

to the descriptions of participating bureaus that begin on page 17. 

NOTE: In recognition of the fact that world conditions may change, the Department reserves the 

right to reassign interns should circumstances warrant. 
 

3 

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, Cont. 

Length of 

Internships 

Students must be available to begin their internship within the timetable 

described on page 13. Interns usually serve for one semester or quarter during 

the academic year, or for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks during the 

summer; they are expected to work a 40-hour week. 

 

Salary and 

Benefits 

• The majority of all internships are UNPAID. 

• Pending the availability of funding, a limited number of PAID internships are 

available to students who can demonstrate financial need. These positions are 

centrally funded by the Bureau of Human Resources. Students selected for 

these paid positions serve in bureaus throughout the Department of State and 

overseas. The decision to award funding is based solely on financial need and 

is not influenced by the bureau(s) to which a student may apply, regardless of 

what is stated on pages 17-42. 

• All students who wish to be considered for a paid internship must include in 

their internship application package their current Student Aid Report (SAR), 

which indicates their EFC (Expected Family Contribution) number. (This report 

is generated from the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student 

Aid form.) Only the Student Aid Reports issued by the Department of 

Education will be accepted. In addition, Student Aid Reports 

submitted without the EFC number will not be considered. 

• Students are paid for a maximum of 10 consecutive 40-hour weeks, starting 

the first day of their internship, at the GS-4 step 5 level (subject to change). 

Centrally funded interns are not eligible for paid overtime. 

• If the appointment is for 90 days or more, the intern earns annual and sick 

leave at the rate of four hours per bi-weekly pay period plus paid Federal 

holidays during the period worked. Paid interns contribute to Social Security. 

• Unless otherwise stipulated in the bureau descriptions, which begin on page 

17, transportation to and from Washington or overseas posts is the 

responsibility of the intern. 

• Although unpaid interns are not Federal government employees, and are not 

entitled to any employee benefits, they are protected in the event of jobrelated injuries under the Federal Torts Claims Act. 

• Many educational institutions grant academic credit for internships and/or 

offer financial aid for internships. 

 
 

4 

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, Cont. 

Medical 

Insurance 

for Overseas 

Internships 

IMPORTANT: Applicants who wish to intern abroad must present evidence of 

medical insurance coverage that is valid abroad, to include medical evacuation 

and repatriation of remains coverage. Interns may not travel to post without 

completing and submitting a copy of the Verification of Medical Coverage form to 

the Department’s Student Programs office. 

Housing Housing is not provided for domestic internships. Arrangements and associated 

costs are the responsibility of the interns. A listing of suggested housing options 

in Washington, D.C. is provided to students selected as interns and alternates. 

Abroad, every effort is made to provide housing at no cost to interns, but, 

because circumstances may vary at different posts, this cannot be guaranteed. 

The bureau descriptions, which begin on page 17, include available guidance on 

bureau housing policies. Before accepting an overseas internship, students may 

wish to confirm with the selecting bureau whether housing will be provided. 

Metrochek 

Transit 

Benefit 

Program

The Federal government provides transportation benefits to qualified Federal 

employees to encourage the use of mass transportation domestically to conserve 

energy, improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion on U.S. roads and 

highways. All paid and unpaid interns assigned to Washington, D.C. and using 

public transportation are eligible for the Metrochek Transit Benefit program that 

helps to defray the cost of traveling to and from work. The benefit is based on 

actual commuting costs and, as of calendar year 2008, cannot exceed $115 per 

month. 

 
 

5 

THE SELECTION / CLEARANCE PROCESS 

 

How Interns 

are Selected 

All applications are submitted online through the USAJOBS website, which links 

to our “Gateway to State” system that screens applications to make sure that 

they are complete and that applicants meet the eligibility criteria. Once that 

process is completed, the bureau will have access to those applications submitted 

to them. Bureau representatives evaluate applicants based on the application 

materials. For many internships, foreign language ability is an important factor in 

placement for internships abroad. Completing some academic studies relevant to 

the type of work you wish to perform increases your competitiveness. 

The bureau(s) or office(s) to which you have applied may make a verbal offer to 

you. However, the offer is not “official” until selectees receive written notification 

from the Student Programs office. This notification is a tentative offer to 

participate in the internship program. A final offer is contingent upon complete 

investigation and issuance of a security clearance. Those who are not selected 

for internships will also be notified. So that we may contact you as soon as 

possible, please make sure that any changes of address are updated 

immediately in your applicant profile.

 

Security 

Clearance 

Process 

Students tentatively selected for the internship program must undergo a 

background investigation and receive either a Secret or Top Secret security 

clearance. The clearance process takes approximately 60-90 days to complete 

from the time the forms are received by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). 

Investigations may take substantially longer than 90 days if you have had 

extensive travel, education, residence and/or employment overseas, or if you 

have dual citizenship, foreign contacts, immediate family or relatives who are not 

citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse or if there is a security, 

suitability, or medical issue to resolve. These issues could include a current or 

past history of drugs or alcohol abuse, as well as a recent history of credit 

problems. Further information regarding issues of dual citizenship and foreign 

influence is available at careers.state.gov. Although these problems will not 

necessarily preclude you from receiving a security clearance, they will lengthen 

the time required to complete the clearance process. Your preliminary notification 

of acceptance will include instructions on how to initiate your security clearance 

electronically. When you receive this letter, please complete the online 

clearance process by the date indicated in the letter. This is important!

DS may be unable to process your security clearance if you fail to meet 

that deadline.
 

6 

THE SELECTION / CLEARANCE PROCESS, Cont. 

Random 

Drug 

Testing 

All interns serving in positions that require a clearance for access to information 

classified as “Secret” or above will be subject to the Department’s random 

employee drug testing program. 

 

Final Offer 

of Appointment 

After all procedures are completed and clearances obtained, interns assigned 

domestically will be contacted by the Student Programs office with an official, 

final offer of appointment. The Bureau Coordinator normally contacts interns 

assigned abroad. Travel to Washington, D.C. or abroad for purposes of 

reporting for duty should not be done until you receive an official offer of 

appointment from either the Student Programs office (for domestic 

assignments) or the Bureau Coordinator (for overseas assignments) 

confirming the granting of your security clearance and permission to 

report for duty. The office or post to which you are assigned will be 

unable to employ you until you have received the appropriate clearance.

Note: Federal law requires denial of a passport to any spouse certified by the Department of 

Health and Human Services as being more than $5,000 in arrears on child support. 

Overseas 

Travel 

Requirements 

Interns serving at posts outside of the United States are responsible for obtaining 

a U.S. passport with validity at least six months beyond their proposed stay and a 

travel visa as required by the country. They are also responsible for purchasing 

overseas medical insurance that will cover repatriation of remains and medical 

evacuation overseas. 

 
 

7 

WHAT TO EXPECT AS A STATE DEPARTMENT INTERN 

Duties of an 

Intern 

Internships are excellent preparation for future careers in both the Civil Service 

and the Foreign Service. The Department is looking for students with a broad 

range of majors, such as Business or Public Administration, Social Work, 

Economics, Information Management, Journalism, and the Biological, Physical and 

Engineering Sciences, as well as those majors more traditionally identified with 

international affairs. 

Intern duties and responsibilities may vary according to the post or office of 

assignment. For instance, interns may write reports on human rights issues, 

assist with trade negotiations, assist with citizen’s services or visa work, help 

Americans in distress abroad, or organize conferences or visits of high-level 

officials. Others may research economic or environmental issues, write news 

stories, work on web pages or help produce electronic journals. 

Interns with scientific and technical backgrounds might work with issues such as 

arms control, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), infectious diseases, and 

remote sensing. 

Those interested in management may use their expertise working on projects 

involving budgets, human resources, information systems, or general logistical 

support to posts abroad. Some may be involved in educational and cultural 

exchange activities. Interns are also instrumental in the recruiting of U.S. 

speakers and specialists for overseas programs. 

Intern 

Activities 

Your internship experience at the Department of State not only includes the 

exceptional knowledge and work experiences that you will gain in your office 

setting, but also offers the opportunity to explore the Washington Metropolitan 

Area. During each intern session, an Intern Activities Coordinator is assigned to 

the Student Programs staff to plan activities that will enhance your internship. 

These activities include brown bag lunches with senior Department officials, 

tours, and social activities. The tours allow students to get better insight into the 

daily functioning of other government organizations. Examples of past tours 

include the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Pentagon, and the Capitol, as 

well as tours of various embassies. Guest speakers include some of the top 

managers in the Department, who share their career experiences and give 

students a better understanding of the Department’s objectives. 

The social activities (during work and after-hours) allow networking and 

socializing with other student employees. 

Interns assigned overseas and in field offices can expect to get involved with 

embassy functions or events appropriate to the area in which they are assigned. 
 

8 

WHAT TO EXPECT AS A STATE DEPARTMENT INTERN, Cont. 

Appropriate 

Attire 

The Department of State does not have an official dress code; however, as the 

leading U.S. foreign affairs agency, the Department of State is in the front line of 

customer service to the public at home and abroad. This mission requires that 

our employees project competence and professionalism. Therefore, the 

appearance of employees should also be professional in a way that conveys 

respect for colleagues, customers, and the work environment and should not 

pose a safety or health hazard or distraction from work. 

The Department welcomes the cultural diversity of its workforce, and seeks to 

maintain freedom for personal expression without sacrificing the professional 

image essential to the performance of its mission. 

 

Other 

Student 

Employment 

Programs 

Find out more about other student employment program opportunities such as 

Cooperative Education Program (Student Cooperative Education Program), Stayin-School (Student Temporary Employment Program), Student Disability Program 

(Workforce Recruitment Program), Summer Clerical Program, Fascell Fellowship 

Program, Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, and Presidential 

Management Fellows Program by visiting our web site at 

careers.state.gov/student. 

 
 

9 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

Apply 

Online 

Applications for the U.S. Department of State’s intern program must be 

submitted online, using the “Gateway to State” system (accessible through 

www.USAJOBS.gov). 

To access our applications, visit our website at careers.state.gov/student and 

click on Selection Process. Then click the title of the program you would like to 

apply for (Internship, Summer Clerical, etc...). You may only apply for a job 

opening when an application is open on USAJOBS (see timetable on page 13) by 

searching for Internship on www.usajobs.gov, or by clicking on the “Gateway to 

State” button on careers.state.gov/student (button only available when an 

internship application is open on USAJOBS). If you are a new user on USAJOBS, 

follow the instructions to create a new user account. Please remember to write 

down and save your user ID and password. 

Now you are ready to begin your internship application. 

Your 

Application 

Package 

There are three parts to the application process: 

• Applicant Profile 

• Application, including Statement of Interest 

• Transcripts and optional Student Aid Report (SAR) 

In the first part of the application process, you will create your applicant profile 

by providing biographic and prior Federal government employment information. 

This section will determine if you meet application eligibility requirements. You 

must answer all “required” fields in order to proceed through the application 

process. (If you are not new to USAJOBS, you can proceed directly to the intern 

application.) 

The second part of the online application process is specific to the internship 

program. In this section, you will: 

• Identify up to two bureaus for which you wish to be considered for an 

internship assignment 

• Answer questions regarding your personal, academic and employment 

credentials to be used by bureau representatives in making their 

selections 

• Submit a one-page (maximum 2500 characters) Statement of Interest

that describes your objectives and motivation in seeking an internship. 

Since bureau representatives use this statement in making their 

selections, you should use the statement to explain how your academic 

courses and other personal experiences relate to the bureau(s) or 

office(s) to which you are applying. Please use this opportunity to tell us 

about any specific disadvantages you may have overcome. You may also 

use this section to expand upon any of your answers to questions asked in 

the application, such as language ability or other special skills. 
 

10 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS, Cont. 

Your 

Application 

Package, 

Cont. 

The third part of the application process is the submission of your transcript

and, if you’re applying for a paid internship, your current Student Aid Report 

(SAR). Your application is not considered complete until these documents have 

been received using the following procedures: 

• Once you have completed the online questionnaire and Statement of 

Interest, you will be prompted to print out cover sheets that will be used 

to fax your transcripts and your current SAR. You will only be allowed to 

print your cover sheets after successfully submitting your online 

application. It is extremely important that only these cover sheets 

be used for faxing these documents. The cover sheets are coded to 

insure that your documents will be included in your online record. Please 

ensure that each document is faxed separately with the appropriate cover 

sheet. 

• Transcripts: Both official and unofficial transcripts are acceptable as part 

of the application process. However, if you are selected for a paid 

internship, you will be required to provide official transcripts before you 

can receive your final offer of employment. If you are a first year 

graduate student, you must submit a copy of your most recent 

undergraduate transcript. 

• OPTIONAL – Student Aid Report (SAR). If you wish to be considered for a 

paid internship, you must use the above procedures to fax a copy of your 

Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR must include your Expected Family 

Contribution number (EFC). You will not be considered for a paid 

internship if you do not submit a SAR or if the EFC number is not 

indicated on your SAR. 

• If a document is faxed successfully, you will receive a system-generated 

e-mail confirming receipt. We strongly recommend that you retain a copy 

of this e-mail in case verification of your submission is required. 

• Due to the large number of fax transmissions submitted in the final days 

of a job announcement, we strongly urge you to fax in your documents at 

least a few days before the closing date of an announcement to ensure 

your documents will be transmitted successfully. 
 

11 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS, Cont. 

Submitting 

Your 

Application 

When you have completed the online questionnaire and the Statement of Interest 

and have printed out the fax cover sheets, you will be ready to complete your 

application. You should remain in the program until you have received an 

application confirmation screen. Print this screen for verification of your 

application. If you do not receive the confirmation screen, you must assume your 

application was not complete. Follow the instructions, which will indicate which 

section (s) of the application you must still complete. Please remember that 

your application is not considered complete until you have transmitted 

your transcript and, as appropriate, your SAR. 

Accessing 

Your 

Application 

You may stop working on your application at any time and return later to resume 

until its completion or to update any biographical, student, or employment data. 

To do this, you should: 

1. Retain your User ID and Password for future use 

2. Save your application 

3. Return to www.USAJOBS.gov, enter your user ID in the login field, 

and enter your password to access your individual application and 

data. 
 

12 

Gateway to State 

Application Checklist 

Check off each item to make sure everything has been done. 

Reminder ! ! ! 

o Did you receive and print out an application confirmation screen after 

submitting your application?

o Did you use the appropriate system-generated cover sheet to fax your 

transcript?

o Did you use the appropriate system-generated cover sheet to fax your 

Student Aid Report (SAR) showing your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 

number? (Necessary only if you are applying for a paid internship)

o Did you receive verification that faxed items were successfully transmitted?

To verify your fax transmission, you can do the following: 

1. At the USAJOBS login page, enter your username and password. 

2. Select the “Generate Fax Cover Sheet” option and click “Next”. 

3. If we have received your fax, the status of your fax will say “Received”. 

o Did you keep copies of everything for your records?
 

13 

Application Processing Timetable 

The following chart is provided to help applicants track their application during the 

months of the selection process. Please be patient and follow guidelines on notifications 

below. Keep this form handy for future reference. 

Activity in Intern Program Summer 

Internship 

Fall 

Internship 

Spring 

Internship

I. Intern Brochure Distributed to 

Colleges and Universities 

August August August 

II. Application Deadline 

(including all supporting 

documents) 

November 1 March 1 July 1 

III. Selections Made by Bureaus; 

Selectees Notified in Writing by Intern 

Coordinator’s Office 

December March – April July -August 

IV. Non-Selects Notified in Writing by 

Intern Coordinator’s Office 

February May - June August 

V. Forms Received from Selectees to 

Initiate Security Clearances*

February June September 

VI. Security Clearances Completed. 

Official Offers of Appointment Made 

 

March - April July - August October - 

November 

VII. Interns Enter on Duty May – July September – 

October 

January – 

February 

VIII. Internship Ends September December April 

*Security clearance processing takes approximately 60-90 days, so it is important to 

complete the online clearance process by the date indicated in the letter. Either the 

Student Programs office or the Bureau Coordinator will notify you when the security 

clearance is issued. 
 

14 

Fellowship Opportunities 

The Council 

Of American 

Ambassadors 

Fellowship 

Program

The Council of American Ambassadors provides six fellowships in honor of 

Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg. The Fellowship program combines 

mentoring by former U.S. ambassadors, practical training through internships at 

the Department of State and, in cooperation with The Fund for American Studies, 

academic studies in international affairs at Georgetown University, as well as 

residential housing on campus. The Fellowship provides a $6,000 award to each 

student that is applied to cover the cost of the program. 

The Fellowships are open to undergraduate students who have completed their 

junior year prior to the commencement of their internships and who have a 

strong interest in pursuing a career in international affairs. The Fellowships are 

available only during summer sessions. 

Applications of persons chosen by the Department of State for internships in 

Washington, DC and who have authorized the Department to provide their 

information to other organizations will be forwarded to the Council and The Fund 

for consideration. Eligible candidates will be contacted by the Council of American 

Ambassadors with instructions to apply for the Fellowship. For more information 

about this program, please visit www.americanambassadors.org. Email inquiries 

may be sent to council@americanambassadors.org. 

The Pamela 

Harriman 

Foreign 

Service 

Fellowship 

Program 

The Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships, sponsored by the 

College of William and Mary, will provide a $5,000 award for two U.S. college 

students to work in the U.S. embassies in Paris and London and one U.S. college 

student to work in a component of the Office of the Secretary. The fellowships 

are available during summer sessions only. Applications of persons chosen by 

the Department of State for internships in London or Paris or in a component of 

the Office of the Secretary and who have authorized the Department to provide 

their information to other organizations will be forwarded to The Pamela Harriman 

Foreign Service Fellowship Program for consideration. Eligible candidates will be 

contacted with instructions on applying for a Harriman Fellowship. The Harriman 

Board has determined that only undergraduate students entering their junior or 

senior year and graduating seniors continuing their studies will be considered for 

a Fellowship. E-mail inquiries on the Fellowship Program should be addressed to: 

harriman@wm.edu. All written inquires should be addressed to: 

 

The Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowship Program 

PO Box 8795 

The College of William and Mary 

Williamsburg, VA 23187 
 

Part II: Bureau Information 
Bureau/Office

Major

AccountingAdult Education/TrainingAfrican StudiesAgricultureArchitectureArt History/Art StudiesBiological/Physical SciBusinessCommunicationsComputer ScienceCriminal JusticeConstruction Mgt.East Asian StudiesEconomicsEngineeringEnvironmental StudiesEuropean StudiesFacility ManagementFinanceGeography

Administration     

African Affairs    

Art Bank Program  

Art in Embassies 

Chief of Protocol 

Consular Affairs    

Diplomatic Security  

East Asian & Pacific Affairs     

Economics, Energy & Bus. Affairs  

 Educational & Cultural Affairs     

Equal Employment Opport. Office  

European and Eurasian Affairs      

Family Liaison Office 

Resource Management    

Overseas Building Operations       

Foreign Service Institute      

Human Resources 

Information Resource Mgt  

Intelligence & Research  

Int'l Communication & Info Policy 

Int'l Narcotics & Law Enforcement 

International Organizations  

Legal Adviser

Legislative Affairs

Near East Asian Affairs  

Democracy, Human Rights & Labor

 Oceans & Int'l Environmental   

& Scientific Affairs

Office of Foreign Missions 

Office of the Inspector General   

Ofc of the U.S. Global Aids Coord.      

Policy Planning Staff

Political-Military Affairs    

Population, Refugees, & Migration

International Information Programs     

South Central Asian Affairs  

Under Secretary For Arms Control

& International Security Affairs

Under Secretary for Global Affairs 

United States Mission to the UN 

Western Hemisphere Affairs    

15

The chart on pages 15 and 16 is to be interpreted as a guideline only. It is intended to help applicants in 

identifying bureaus to which their majors may be commonly related. 

Bureaus require a broad range of skills and academic backgrounds to accomplish their goals, and do not limit their 

selections to only those majors indicated on the chart.

Chart continued on next page
Bureau/Office

GovernmentHistoryHumanitiesHuman ResourcesInformation SystemsInterior DesignInternational RelationsJournalismLatin American StudiesLawLibrary ScienceLinguisticsMiddle Eastern StudiesPolitical SciencePrint MakingPublic AdministrationPublic AffairsReal EstateSouth Asian StudiesAny Majors

Administration     

African Affairs    

Art Bank Program   

Art in Embassies

Chief of Protocol 

Consular Affairs     

Diplomatic Security  

East Asian & Pacific Affairs       

Economics, Energy & Bus. Affairs

 Educational & Cultural Affairs     

Equal Employment Opport. Office     

European and Eurasian Affairs      

Family Liaison Office  

Resource Management 

Overseas Building Operations      

Foreign Service Institute      

Human Resources    

Information Resource Mgt  

Intelligence & Research  

Int'l Communication & Info Policy   

Int'l Narcotics & Law Enforcement   

International Organizations    

Legal Adviser 

Legislative Affairs 

Near East Asian Affairs    

Democracy, Human Rights & Labor 

 Oceans & Int'l Environmental  

& Scientific Affairs

Office of Foreign Missions    

Office of the Inspector General   

Ofc of the U.S. Global Aids Coord.      

Policy Planning Staff 

Political-Military Affairs       

Population, Refugees, & Migration 

International Information Programs      

South Central Asian Affairs    

Under Secretary For Arms Control 

& International Security Affairs

Under Secretary for Global Affairs  

United States Mission to the UN    

Western Hemisphere Affairs  

16
 

17 

PARTICIPATING BUREAUS/OFFICES

The following is a brief overview of each participating bureau or office that offers internships at 

various times during the year. You may apply for an internship in two (2) bureaus or offices. If 

you wish to be considered for an overseas internship, at least one of your bureau choices must be 

one of the following: AF, EAP, EUR, IO, NEA, SCA, or WHA. You will also have the opportunity to 

indicate the specific country in which you would like to intern. Please note that some bureaus offer 

internships in domestic locations other than Washington, D.C. If you are interested in working at 

one of these locations, you will have the opportunity to express your preference. 

 

Bureau of Administration (A) 

Diplomatic Reception Rooms (M/FA) 

The Diplomatic Reception Rooms and State Rooms are 18th-century style rooms located in the 

Main State Department building. They are used for official functions hosted by the Secretary of 

State and other high-level government officials. The Office of Fine Arts (M/FA) manages the 

collection of 5000 museum-caliber objects of American furniture, paintings, and decorative arts 

of the period 1750 to 1825. An intern in the office can expect to assist with various aspects of 

registrarial and collections management, including maintaining computer databases, constructing 

photography files, and inter-relational records in object, conservation, publicity and research 

files. Graduate students in decorative arts or museum studies would gain registrarial experience. 

Additional opportunities are available for graduate interns in American fine and decorative arts 

history, museum studies and library science/special collections/archives to assist with collections 

registration, management and conservation activities. 

 Unpaid internships are available for graduate students in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Art Bank Program (A/AB)

• Acquires and manages a permanent collection of more than 2,000 limited edition 

prints and original works on paper by contemporary American artists 

• Exhibits artwork in offices of Department officials, reception areas, and conference 

rooms in the Department of State and the Agency for International Development in 

Washington, D.C. 

 

 Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of the Executive Director (A/EX) 

Supports the Assistant Secretary for Administration and the Under Secretary for Management 

through the provision of executive management and administrative services, including 

management analysis, strategic planning, presidential travel support, financial management, 

human resources management, and information resources management for the Bureau of 

Administration. Within the A Bureau, the Office of the Executive Director provides services to the 

organizations under the direction of the Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Operations, Logistics 

Management, and Information Sharing Services. Service is also provided to the Offices of 

Emergency Management, Global Support Services and Innovation, Small and Disadvantaged 

Business Utilization, M/Fine Arts (Diplomatic Reception Rooms), S/Coordination for 

Reconstruction and Stabilization, the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and 

Scientific Affairs, including the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary, 

and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. 

Unpaid internships are available throughout the year in Washington, D.C. 
 

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Office of Global Support Services and Innovation (A/GSSI) 

Supports management professionals, both overseas and domestic, with innovative methods of 

transforming support services for the U.S. Government to be more efficient, effective, and 

customer-oriented. A/GSSI uses rightsizing, IT solutions (e.g. PASS), quality management (e.g. 

ISO 9000), and performance metrics to provide the best support services. A/GSSI offers tools 

on their intranet site -- including Ask Admin, motor pool driver utilization studies, and other 

services -- to help management professionals identify good ideas and trends to solve problems. 

It is also a great group of people and a fun place to work. 

Paid internships are available during the summer in Washington, D.C. Unpaid internships are 

available throughout the year in Washington, D.C. 

Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) 

The Office of the Procurement Executive formulates, establishes and reviews policy governing 

federal contracting and procurement, and federal assistance such as grants for domestic and 

overseas missions. Interns working in A/OPE can expect to work on numerous cross-cutting 

issues, such as researching legislation or federal regulations, drafting policy, and answering 

relevant questions from customer, including direct contact with overseas missions and domestic 

bureaus. Since the mandate of A/OPE is Department-wide, interns can expect to work with 

multiple bureaus and missions, thereby getting a broad overview of how the Department 

administers contracts and grants. Students interested in program and project management, 

drafting substantive communications, and Department of State policy formulation would find an 

internship in A/OPE beneficial and rewarding. 

Unpaid internships are available throughout the year in Washington, D.C. 

Office of Operations (A/OPR)

Manages, directs, and establishes policies for diverse administrative programs including domestic 

real property and facility management, centralized acquisition, worldwide supply and 

transportation, assistance to overseas schools, language services, and the administration of 

foreign allowances. A/OPR offices that typically participate in the intern program are: 

• A/OPR/ALS - Develops and coordinates policies and regulations, standards and 

procedures for the administration of the government-wide allowances, post 

differentials and representational expenses for government employees assigned to 

foreign countries; sets rates for overseas per diem and other allowances. 

• A/OPR/LS - The Office of Language Services provides interpreting (spoken 

word), translating (written word), and other language services needed to conduct 

foreign relations with the non-English-speaking nations and peoples of the world. LS 

responds to the language needs of both the Department of State and the White 

House. Paid translating internships are available for graduate students enrolled in 

academic programs that include one or more courses in translation, and who have 

good writing skills and mastery of English and at least one of the following languages: 

Arabic, Russian (and languages of the former USSR), Spanish, or French. Interns 

spend 10 weeks working under the tutelage of State Department translators. LS also 

sponsors paid internships in translation project management and translation 

technology management for graduate students enrolled in academic programs that 

include coursework in one or both of those areas. To be selected for an LS internship, 

applicants must be U.S. citizens; translation interns must pass a translating test given 

at the Office of Language Services in Washington, D.C. Paid interpreting internships 

are available for students enrolled in academic programs that include coursework in 

interpreting or advanced language studies or for recent graduates thereof or for 
 

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candidates with relevant experience as beginners in the field of interpreting. 

Applicants must have good writing skills and mastery of English plus command of at 

least one foreign language (Arabic, Spanish, French, or Russian preferred). Interns 

spend eight to ten weeks working under the tutelage of State Department 

interpreters. To be selected for such an internship, in addition to having U.S. 

citizenship, interpreting internship applicants must pass an interpreting aptitude test 

given at the Office of Language Services. 

• A/OPR/FMSS - The office of Facilities Management Services is responsible for 

the management and administration of domestic building operations and 

maintenance. FMS is also responsible for all domestic energy, environmental, fire and 

life safety programs. 

• A/OPR/RPM – The Office of Real Property Management is responsible for 

managing the Department of State’s (DOS) domestic real estate assets. A/OPR/RPM 

provides a complete and comprehensive range of real property management services 

including space assignments, leasing, office and building design and construction, 

furniture selection, and architectural and engineering services for all domestic offices 

and bureaus at the Department. 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 
 

20 

Office of Information Sharing Services (A/ISS)

Provides executive direction and policy guidance on substantive activities to ensure that the 

Department and other foreign affairs agencies receive the full range of classified and unclassified 

information and multi-media publishing services in a cost-effective customer service-oriented 

manner. 

• A/ISS/GPS - Provides centralized editorial, graphics, multi-media publishing, and 

distribution services, and prescribes standards for Departmental editorial, printing, 

and photocopier activities throughout the Department.

• A/ISS/DIR - The Office of Directives Management Staff manages a number of 

Department of State programs that have agency- and worldwide effects, among 

them: internal policies, procedures and guidance (directives); forms management; 

information collections (Paperwork Reduction Act - PRA); rulemaking coordination; 

delegations of authority; Presidential determinations; small business issues; and 

Liaison with Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Federal Register 

(OFR), General Services Administration (GSA), and other U.S. Government 

agencies. 

• A/ISS/IPS - The Office of Information Programs and Services serves as the 

primary point of contact and principal adviser on all matters concerning the 

management of information as a critical resource, specifically relating to records life 

cycle management; public and need-to-know access to information, classification 

management and declassification, privacy, research of official record and public 

information resources, and corporate records archives. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of Logistics Management (A/LM)

Provides Department of State logistics supply chain management activities including acquisition, 

warehousing and distribution, transportation, and property management support domestically 

and to every American embassy and consulate worldwide. Our clients both overseas and 

domestic are primarily from the Department of State but may also be personnel of other U.S. 

government agencies involved in foreign affairs and overseas operations. 

Our services include: 

• Procuring goods and services of all types, including all contract activities and vendor 

management 

• Implementing an Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS), and business 

processes to ensure “best practices” are followed in the Department. These 

practices include e-commerce, supply chain management and performance-based 

and customer-focused management 

• Supporting nearly 4,000 officers in the foreign affairs community worldwide 

annually to relocate to their next assignment and transport their household effects 

and privately owned vehicles to their assigned posts 

• Shipping all types of materials, whether the possessions of employees or supplies 

and equipment worldwide 

• Warehousing of goods and inventory management 

• Managing the Department’s worldwide vehicle fleet 

• Providing Diplomatic Pouch and Mail services to embassies and consulates 

worldwide 

• Developing and implementing cross-functional logistics policy 

• Recruitment, career development and training of logistics personnel worldwide 

Paid internships are available during the summer.
 

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Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (A/SDBU)

Ensures that the Department of State effectively utilizes U.S. small businesses (Small 

Disadvantaged, Woman-owned, Veteran-owned, Service Disabled Veteran-owned, HUBZone) in 

its prime contracts and subcontracts. Provides training and counseling to: 

• The small business (SB) community about doing business with the Department; 

facilitates SB access to contract opportunities within the Department 

• Department personnel about contracting with small businesses. Assists them in 

identifying resources, resulting in increased opportunities for small businesses 

Interns working in A/SDBU can expect to work on market research, as well as assist the 

webmaster in updating our web site. Interns may also be assigned special projects. Prospective 

interns must possess good organizational and computer skills. 

Unpaid internships are available during the summer in Rosslyn, Virginia. 

Bureau of African Affairs (AF) 

• The Bureau conducts the full range of U.S. foreign relations with the countries of 

sub-Saharan Africa, providing staffing and resource support to our embassies in 

challenging environments. 

• Major objectives for U.S. diplomacy in Africa include fostering democracy and free 

markets, addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and assisting Africa’s millions of 

refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). 

• Of the 15 countries covered by the President’s multi-billion dollar Emergency Plan 

for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), 12 are in Africa, meaning our embassies in these 

countries coordinate delivery of millions of dollars in prevention, care, and 

treatment for targeted populations. 

• The Africa Bureau also works closely with African governments in the war on terror, 

while reaching out to Muslim populations to explain American values with intensive 

public diplomacy programs. 

• A central thrust of U.S. diplomacy is conflict mitigation, ranging from resolution of 

the Darfur conflict and implementation of recent peace accords in Sudan, to 

defusing the festering ethnic conflicts in Africa’s Great Lakes region which includes 

Rwanda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of Congo. 

• The Africa Bureau and its missions coordinate major U.S. humanitarian assistance 

to address suffering from war, famine, and drought. 

• The opportunities and challenges in Africa provide countless opportunities for 

hands-on diplomacy and richly rewarding experiences. 

 

Unpaid internships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students in Washington, D.C. 

throughout the year. Interns posted abroad are provided with housing and transportation to and 

from post. Internships abroad are available during the summer only. 

Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) 

• Directs consular services relating to the protection, assistance, and documentation of 

American citizens abroad 

• Conducts all passport activities, including documentation and control of travel of U.S. citizens 

and nationals 

• Administers laws, formulates regulations, and implements policies relating to the 

determination of U.S. citizenship and nationality 

• Oversees the issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas to the U.S. 
 

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• Provides guidance and leadership on consular aspects of children's services and fulfills U.S. 

treaty obligations relating to children 

Unpaid internships are available throughout the year in Washington, D.C. and Passport Agencies 

located in the following cities: Washington, D.C. (PPT/WN and PPT/SIA), Aurora, CO (PPT/CO), 

Boston (PPT/BN), Charleston (PPT/CPC), Chicago (PPT/CG), Honolulu (PPT/HH), Houston (PPT/HN), 

Los Angeles (PPT/LA), Miami (PPT/MM), New Orleans (PPT/NO), New York (PPT/NY), Norwalk, CT 

(PPT/CT), Philadelphia (PPT/PA), Portsmouth, NH (PPT/NCP), San Francisco (PPT/SF), and Seattle 

(PPT/SE). 

Office of the Chief of Protocol (S/CPR) 

• Provides the President and the Secretary of State with advice on fulfilling the government's 

obligations relating to national and international protocol 

• Plans, arranges, and executes programs for visiting chiefs-of-state and heads of government, 

foreign ministers, and other high-level officials 

• Coordinates with the White House on the presentation of credentials of foreign ambassadors 

to the President 

• Accredits foreign ambassadors and other diplomatic and consular officers 

• Registers employees of foreign governments and determines their eligibility for rights and 

immunities 

• Manages the operation of the Blair House 

• Plans and executes arrangements for official functions hosted by the Secretary of State 

 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) 

• Develops and implements U.S. policy on democracy, human rights, international labor, and 

religious freedom 

• Leads effort to integrate foreign assistance programming with priority foreign policy 

objectives and is responsible for the annual distribution of approximately $10-100 million of 

democracy and human rights foreign assistance throughout the region. 

• Helps build global consensus in support of democratic rule and universal human rights 

principles 

• Carries out project proposal evaluation, grant administration, budget negotiations, technical 

coordination, and project performance review and compliance for democracy promotion and 

human rights grants. 

• Publishes the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which provide a 

comprehensive assessment of human rights around the world today 

• Conducts dialogues on human rights and democracy with other nations, both bilaterally and 

through multilateral forums 

• Works closely with members of Congress and their staffs, non-governmental human rights 

organizations, and the media 

• Reviews political asylum requests 

• Monitors key issues like religious freedom, labor, and women's rights 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. Interns work closely with 

office directors on special projects and the bureau's normal operations. 
 

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Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS)

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment 

for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Every U.S. diplomatic mission in the world operates under a 

security program designed and maintained by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. In the United 

States, DS investigates passport and visa fraud, conducts personnel security investigations, and 

protects the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United 

States. Within the bureau, there are several divisions that provide administrative services such as 

automated systems support, financial and personnel management, and other general services. DS 

has several engineering divisions. 

The Bureau has field offices in various cities throughout the U.S. staffed with special agents and 

criminal investigators. DS Field Offices are located in the following U.S. cities: Atlanta, Miami, 

Boston, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Denver, San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, and 

Washington, D.C. 

Unpaid internships are available throughout the year. The majority of the internships available are 

located in offices within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. A few intern positions may be 

available in one or more of the Field Offices within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. DS cannot 

guarantee that there will be positions in every Field Office during any given intern session. 

Office of Foreign Missions (DS/OFM) 

Mandated by Congress, the Office of Foreign Missions’ (OFM), which falls under the Bureau of 

Diplomatic Security, responsibility is to protect the interests of the United States and its citizens 

from foreign diplomats’ abuses of privileges and immunities; to improve the treatment of U.S. 

personnel assigned abroad by imposing reciprocal treatment on foreign diplomats assigned to 

the United States; and to provide service to the foreign diplomatic and consular community in 

matters relating to motor vehicles, tax, customs, property, and travel. OFM also provides the 

legal foundation to facilitate secure and efficient operations of U.S. missions abroad, and of 

foreign missions and international organizations within the United States. There are several 

divisions that provide administrative, financial, procurement, and management analysis 

activities, as well as information systems technologies within OFM. 

OFM Regional Offices are located in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, 

Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston. 

Unpaid internships are available throughout the year. There may be intern positions available in 

one or more of the above OFM Regional Offices within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. 

DS/OFM cannot guarantee that there will be positions in every Regional Office. 

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP) 

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with countries in the East Asian and Pacific region 

• Directs, coordinates, and supervises U.S. government activities with interest in political, 

economic, consular, and administrative matters in those countries 

• Analyzes and prioritizes U.S. private sector trade and investments 

• Researches and analyzes political and economic issues 

 

Unpaid internships are available throughout the year in Washington, D.C. and abroad at most U.S. 

embassies and consulates. Under limited circumstances, housing may be available abroad. For 

students applying for internships abroad, please specify in your Statement of Interest the embassy 

or consulate for which you wish to be considered. 
 

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Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs (EEB) 

Develops and implements U.S. international economic policy relevant to protecting and advancing 

U.S. economic, political, and security interests. Pursues objectives by managing bilateral and 

multilateral relationships in the areas of trade, energy, transportation, communications, finance, and 

food resources policy.

• Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs (EEB/CBA) 

Advises the Under Secretary for Economic, Agricultural, and Business Affairs, as well as the 

Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, on foreign policies affecting U.S. 

international economic competitiveness and ensures that the interests of the U.S. business 

community are properly considered in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign 

policy. 

• International Communications and Information Policy (EEB/CIP) 

Leads policy-making government wide on international telecommunications and information 

technology issues, including the internet satellites, wireless spectrum allocations, etc. Heads 

U.S. delegations to overseas meetings and events, and to multilateral organizations such as 

the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union, the Organization for 

Economic Cooperation and Development, etc. Encourages deployment of technology 

internationally in support of democratization, sustainable development, and a commercefriendly climate. 

• Energy, Sanctions and Commodities (EEB/ESC) 

Formulates and manages overall U.S. government economic sanctions policy and strategy; 

coordinates the use of economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy, ensuring that U.S. 

commercial and competitiveness issues are factored into U.S. government sanctions and 

export control decisions. 

• Policy Analysis and Public Diplomacy (EEB/EPPD) 

Coordinates public affairs/public diplomacy outreach activities: prepares press guidance, 

provides media support for policy initiatives, responds to media requests and supports public 

diplomacy initiatives for foreign audiences on economic issues; does quantitative analyses on 

economic policy issues and makes policy recommendations based on those analyses. 

• International Finance and Development (EEB/IFD) 

IFD is intricately involved in the United States government’s effort to promote global 

economic growth and development. Our activities include:

• Negotiating treaties to protect U.S. investors abroad, encouraging foreign nations to 

adopt market-oriented policies, and working to encourage resolution of investment 

disputes 

• Strengthening international anti-bribery enforcement and measures to enhance fiscal 

transparency 

• Monitoring changes in global macroeconomic conditions, identifying financial trends and 

potential crises that impact U.S. interests 

• Formulating debt-relief policies and negotiating agreements 

• Coordinating international donor policy for reconstruction in selected post-crisis or 

disaster areas 

• Providing guidance on economic development policy at the UN, the G-8, the World Bank 

Development Committee, and the OECD Development Assistance Committee.

• Trade Policy and Programs (EEB/TPP) 

Advances economic prosperity by increasing trade through the opening of overseas markets 

and freeing the flow of goods, services, and capital. Promotes U.S. trade interests within the 

World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional trade organizations such as the Asia-Pacific 

Economic Cooperation (APEC), the North American Free Trade Agreement Secretariat 

(NAFTA), and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). 

• Transportation Affairs (EEB/TRA) 

Provides the fullest possible commercial support for the global aviation industry, which is 

uniquely dependent upon U.S. government leadership to ensure its rights and market access 

in foreign countries; serves as the chief aviation negotiator for the United States. Under the 
 

25 

1958 Federal Aviation Act, the Department carries out its aviation responsibility with the 

direct involvement of airlines, communities, and labor. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. For further information 

on each office, please see the Department of State web site: www.state.gov. 

 

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs supports the long-term national interest by fostering 

mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Bureau 

academic and professional exchange programs identify future leaders and build a foundation of trust 

with current and potential leaders throughout the world. Bureau programs and activities include the 

Fulbright Exchange Program, the International Visitor Program, Citizen and Professional Exchange 

Programs, English Language Programs, Cultural Programs, Educational Advising, Humphrey 

Fellowships and College and University Affiliations Programs. 

 

• The Office of Academic Exchange Programs plans and manages a wide spectrum of 

merit-based educational programs from Fulbright exchanges to a range of special 

programs for Russia and the New Independent States 

• The Office of Global Educational Programs administers professional and teacher 

exchanges, institutional linkages, and programs and services designed to support and 

promote the international exchange of student and scholars 

• The Office of English Language Programs conducts a variety of activities to promote 

the teaching and learning of English overseas 

• The Office of Citizen Exchanges manages programs in professional, cultural and youth 

programs. Grants are used to strengthen public-private partnerships with American 

universities, community organizations, professional groups and other non-profit 

institutions 

• The Office of International Visitors brings current and emerging foreign leaders to the 

U.S. to meet and confer with professional counterparts and to gain a more complete 

understanding of the U.S. 

• Cultural Programs emphasize fostering long-term relationships between artists, 

institutions and audiences, stimulating self-sustaining networks. 

 

Specific skill sets which would be well-applied in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) 

also include web design and management, and organizational development to include training, group 

facilitation, conflict management and surveying/polling. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. For more information see 

the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affair's web site: http://exchanges.state.gov

Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) 

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with countries in Europe 

• Directs, coordinates, and supervises U.S. government activities within these regions, 

including consular and administrative management issues, and U.S. assistance 

• In addition to working on country-specific issues, the bureau offers the opportunity to do 

multilateral work related to the European Union, NATO, the OSCE, the OECD, the G-8, and 

the Council of Europe. Applicants interested in these multilateral positions should specifically 

note such interest in their Statement of Interest. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C., and abroad at certain U.S. embassies and 

consulates throughout the year. When available, housing is provided to interns assigned abroad. 

For students applying for an internship abroad, you will have an opportunity to specify the country in 

which you are willing to pursue your internship. You may elaborate on your choices in your 
 

26 

Statement of Interest. Duties of both domestic and overseas interns are similar in nature to that of 

an entry-level professional. 

 

Family Liaison Office (M/FLO) 

• Serves all U.S. government employees and family members assigned to, serving at, or 

returning from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad deal with the challenges of a mobile 

lifestyle 

• Advocates for programs to improve quality of life by identifying issues and solutions 

• Provides high volume of client services in the areas of Family Member Employment (including 

job availability at an embassy or consulate abroad and opportunities for working on the local 

economy overseas), Education and Youth (including boarding school options, youth 

programs, and support for families with special needs children), and Support Services for 

those experiencing a personal change (including divorce, eldercare, adoption) or post crisis 

• Assists employees and family members evacuated from post due to political unrest or natural 

disasters 

• Manages the Community Liaison Office (CLO) program with 160 field offices worldwide 

• Manages the expeditious naturalization process for foreign born spouses of Department of 

State employees 

• Delivers services through individual counseling, training and presentations, publications and 

the FLO web site. 

 

Please visit FLO's web site: http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. during the summer. Interns will work on 

special projects in one or more of the above areas. 

Foreign Service Institute (FSI) 

• Trains Department of State and other U.S. government agency employees involved in foreign 

affairs 

• Encourages research and other studies of new and developing areas of foreign policy 

concerns 

• Develops training materials for total curriculum including video and multimedia based 

training courses 

• Provides intensive instruction in over 60 languages 

• Offers a variety of area studies courses that familiarize Foreign Service personnel in the 

specific geographic/cultural area to which they are assigned 

• Assists personnel and their families going to, or returning from, overseas assignments in 

cross-cultural and lifestyle adaptation, in addition to family and work adjustment/ 

readjustment. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H) 

The Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H) coordinates legislative activity for the Department of State and 

advises the Secretary and her team on legislative strategy. The H staff advises individual Bureaus 

on their legislative and outreach strategies and coordinates those efforts with the Secretary’s 

priorities. 

H facilitates effective communication between the diplomatic professionals of the State Department 

and Members of Congress and their staffs. H manages Department testimony before House and 

Senate hearings, organizes Member and staff briefings, and facilitates Congressional travel abroad 

for Members and staff. The bureau reviews proposed legislation and coordinates the Department's 
 

27 

positions on legislation affecting the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, seeks passage of relevant foreign 

policy legislation and appropriations, and obtains advice and consent to treaties as well as Senate 

confirmation of the President’s Ambassadorial and Department of State nominees. 

Interns assist the Bureau’s Legislative Management Officers in setting up briefings, coordinating 

policy statements with other Bureaus, facilitating trip itineraries for Congressional delegations, etc. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of Human Resources (HR) 

• Carries out recruitment and examination for the Foreign Service, including administration of 

the Foreign Service Written Examination and Oral Assessment 

• Develops and administers personnel policies and procedures of the Department, including 

assignments, career development, employee relations and retirement programs for both 

Foreign and Civil Service 

• Coordinates the Department's student employment programs 

• Publishes the Department's monthly magazine for employees worldwide. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP)

Are you a born communicator? Do you have a keen interest in journalism and international news? 

Would you like to be on the front lines of U.S. public diplomacy efforts, presenting important 

information directly to a foreign audience? 

IIP is the principal international strategic communications service for the U.S. foreign affairs 

community. Its products are translated into Persian, Chinese, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian, 

and are featured online at http://usinfo.state.gov/. 

Through daily articles published on USINFO, web chats and digital video conferences (DVCs) 

between public opinion leaders and overseas audiences, monthly electronic journals, and overseas 

speaker programs, IIP presents U.S. policy on foreign, economic, security, and global issues, as well 

as information about American society and values to the rest of the world. 

This is an ideal opportunity for students majoring in journalism and communication, as well as 

international affairs. IIP enjoys press access to U.S. officials at the State Department, White House 

and other public agencies. Its writers also attend events sponsored by Washington think tanks and 

nongovernmental organizations to hear high-profile foreign policy speakers present their views on 

major world issues and events. 

You will enjoy full inclusion and participation with our full-time staff, and your bylined articles will 

have a global audience, in multiple languages, thanks to the Internet and U.S. embassy officials who 

place them in local media. 

As an IIP intern, you can: 

• Attend and write articles about speeches and press conferences by senior U.S. officials, 

programs at Washington-based think tanks and nongovernmental organizations, 

congressional hearings and cultural events 

• Design and conduct web chats and DVCs that allow interaction and communication between 

foreign audiences and opinion leaders in the areas of culture, science, politics and business 
 

28 

• Assist in the production of electronic journals, IIP's online magazines, which examine a 

wide range of issues such as human rights, narcotics, terrorism, American society, 

democracy, and information technology 

• Assess, recruit and schedule U.S. officials, people from the academic community and 

subject specialists for overseas speaking and training programs 

• Assist in the provision of information research to public diplomacy officials at home and 

abroad using top-of-the-line proprietary databases. 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington throughout the year. 

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) 

Within the Department of State, INL has primary responsibility for developing and implementing 

bilateral and multilateral drug and crime control programs to accomplish goals and objectives in 

support of the Administration’s comprehensive strategy in the international arena. 

This Bureau: 

• Monitors the narcotics and crime control programs of different countries 

• Plans, implements, and oversees international narcotics and crime control activities 

• Provides program direction to U.S. missions abroad 

• Negotiates cooperative agreements with foreign governments 

• Represents the United States at the United Nations, and other International Organizations 

on narcotics and crime matters 

• Works closely with other government agencies on domestic drug issues 

• Assists foreign governments to combat narcotics and crime activities, e.g., eradicate 

narcotic crops, destroy illicit laboratories, train interdiction personnel, prevent money 

laundering and other organized crime, and develop anti-crime and counter-narcotics 

education programs 

• Coordinates U.S. efforts to conduct Civilian Policing operations throughout the globe, to 

include Afghanistan and Iraq. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. during the fall and summer only. 

Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) 

 Works to combat modern-day slavery. The office produces the Secretary of State's annual 

Trafficking in Persons Report, coordinates anti-trafficking program funding, chairs an 

interagency task force, and conducts extensive outreach to non-governmental 

organizations, Congress, multilateral organizations, and the news media. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

 
 

29 

Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) 

• Directs the Department's program of intelligence analysis and research 

• Conducts liaison with the Intelligence Community 

• Represents the Department in interagency intelligence groups and on committees 

 

INR offices which accept interns are: 

Office of the Analysis for East Asia and the Pacific (INR/EAP) - conducts research and 

analysis, and briefs Department principals, on a broad range of political, diplomatic and other 

issues in the East Asia and Pacific region (Burma through Japan). Current priority issues 

include Six-Party Talks on North Korea’s nuclear program, Chinese foreign policy, Chinese 

internal stability and Communist Party politics, inter-Korean relations, the China-Taiwan 

issue, political developments in Southeast Asia and instability in the Pacific. INR/EAP directly 

supports the diplomatic initiatives of State’s Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. 

Successful applicants should have academic or other experience in one or more Asian 

countries. Language ability is a strong plus. 

Office of the Geographer and Global Issues (INR/GGI) - conducts research and 

analysis, and briefs Department principals, on a broad range of topical issues including 

environment and sustainable development, humanitarian crises and refugees, United Nations 

affairs, human rights, and war crimes. The office also provides boundary analysis, GIS 

cartography, and remote sensing imagery support for the Bureau and much of the 

Department. 

The Humanitarian Information Unit (INR/GGI/HIU) serves as a U.S. Government 

interagency center to identify, collect, analyze, and disseminate unclassified information 

critical to decision makers and partners in preparation for, and in response to, humanitarian 

emergencies worldwide. Candidates with experience using Geographic Information Systems 

(GIS) or remote sensing software and/or experience in international humanitarian relief 

issues or operations are particularly welcome. 

The Geographic Information Unit (INR/GGI/GIU) does custom cartography, GIS 

applications, and boundary analysis and research for INR and the Department of State. 

GGI/GIU is seeking an intern with training in geography and strong research skills to assist in 

boundary analysis work (minimum 10 weeks). 

The War Crimes, Atrocities, and Democracy (INR/GGI/WCAD) division supports the 

international war crimes tribunals and the State Department’s atrocities early warning, 

human rights, and democracy efforts. GGI/WCAD is seeking an intern with strong 

intellectual and organizational skills to contribute to this effort (minimum 10 weeks). 

Office of Intelligence Resources (INR/IRE) - Provides support and expertise to INR 

analysts and Department policymakers on tasking technical intelligence systems and 

coordinating the release of information to foreign governments. Develops and represents the 

Department’s intelligence information needs and conveys them to the appropriate elements 

of the Intelligence Community. Coordinates operational technical activities to ensure 

alignment with the Department’s foreign policy objectives. INR/IRE seeks intern candidates 

with a broad interest in national security issues and a strong ability to present information 

orally and in writing. 

Office of Analysis for the Near East and South Asia (INR/NESA) - Conducts research 

and analysis and briefs Department principals on a broad range of political, diplomatic, and 

social issues from North Africa and the Middle East, though the Gulf, Iran, Afghanistan, and 

the rest of South Asia. Priority issues include the Western Sahara, the Middle East Peace 
 

30 

Process, domestic Israeli politics, and the internal politics and foreign policies of a number of 

disparate countries, especially including Iran, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. INR/NESA 

directly supports the policy initiatives of two of State’s regional bureaus: the Bureau of Near 

Eastern Affairs (NEA) and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA). Successful 

applicants must have an academic or practical experience in one or more of the region’s 

countries. In addition, ability in a regional language, be it Arabic, Persian, or Hindi –Urdu (or 

any of the many others), is a plus. 

 

Office of Research (INR/R) – is responsible for open-source analysis of foreign opinion in 

all regions of the world. INR/R conducts public opinion polls and media analysis to gauge 

foreign attitudes toward key issues, including international security, trade and economy, 

ethnic relations and democratic transitions. INR/R findings are communicated to 

policymakers throughout the executive branch of the U.S. government through written 

reports, briefings, and presentations in Washington and overseas. Interns typically focus on 

either media analysis or polling in one of the following regions: Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, 

South Asia, East Asia, Africa or Latin America (applicants may state a preference). Possible 

duties include media analysis, background research, questionnaire development, data 

analysis (using SPSS), and writing reports. Applicants should have strong regional 

knowledge, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel 

(familiarity with SPSS is a plus). 

Office of Analysis for Russia and Eurasia (INR/REA) - REA produces all-source, realtime and longer-term intelligence and analytical support on the domestic and foreign policies 

of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Caucasus and Central Asia to promote US goals of 

national security, economic prosperity, and democratization. The office monitors traffic, briefs 

State officials ranging from desk officers to Department “principals,” represents INR and the 

Department of State in the Intelligence Community and, when necessary, on Capitol Hill and 

with foreign governments, and regularly participates in professional and academic 

conferences. 

Intern applicants should have a strong academic background in international relations, 

political science, history or area studies with demonstrated research and writing skills. 

Proficiency in a relevant language, especially Russian, is highly desirable. 

INR-selected candidates (except those in INR/GGI’s Humanitarian Information Unit) must be 

granted a Top Secret clearance and be found eligible for Sensitive Compartmented 

Information before they can serve as interns. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 
 

31 

Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO) 

• Provides guidance for U.S. participation in international organizations and conferences 

• Acts as the channel between the U.S. government and international organizations 

• Builds coalitions necessary to advance U.S. policies in the United Nations and specialized 

agencies 

• Scope of interest includes the U.N. Security Council, the U.N. General Assembly, and the 

maintenance of international peace and security 

 

Unpaid internships are available all year in Washington, D.C. and overseas in Rome, Vienna and 

Geneva. 

Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) 

The mission of IRM is to ensure that all of the Department of State's information resource 

management requirements are met in the areas of: 

 

• voice communications • telecommunications 

• transmission networks • automated data processing 

• personal computers • local area network systems 

• electronic media products • mass data storage 

• information processing/retrieval systems • fifth generation computing 

 

IRM is responsible for providing services in these areas to the entire Department of State, including 

its diplomatic missions abroad, and to other foreign affairs agencies abroad. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of International Security Negotiations (ISN) 

• Spearheads efforts to promote international consensus on WMD proliferation through bilateral 

and multilateral diplomacy; 

• Addresses WMD proliferation threats posed by non-state actors and terrorist groups by 

improving physical security, using interdiction and sanctions, and actively participating in the 

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI);

• Coordinates the implementation of key international treaties and arrangements, working to 

make them relevant to today's security challenges and works closely with the UN, the G-8, 

NATO, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International 

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international institutions and organizations to reduce 

and eliminate the threat posed by WMD; 

• Supports efforts of foreign partners to prevent, protect against, and respond to the threat or 

use of WMD by terrorists.

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of the Legal Adviser (L)

Furnishes legal advice on all legal policy issues, domestic and international, arising in connection 

with U.S. foreign policy and the activities of the Department. This includes the formulation and 

implementation of U.S. foreign policy and promoting the development of international law and its 

institutions as a fundamental element of those policies. 

 

Summer internships: Paid internships are offered to applicants who are at least second year law 

students. If you are interested in a summer internship, you need to complete the application 

process described in this brochure. You must also submit your resume and a copy of your law 

school transcript directly to the bureau by e-mail legaljobs@state.gov, fax (202-736-7508), or by 

mail to the following address: 
 

32 

Personnel Officer 

Office of the Legal Adviser - Room 5519 

U.S. Department of State 

Washington, DC 20520-6419 

 

Fall and spring internships: Unpaid internships (externships) are available for both the fall and 

spring semester for second year law students. Unpaid internships (externships) are also available 

for the fall semester for third year law students. Applications should be submitted according to the 

process described in this brochure. You must also submit your resume and a copy of your law school 

transcript directly to the bureau by e-mail legaljobs@state.gov, fax (202-736-7508), or by mail to 

the address listed above. 

Bureau of Near East Asian Affairs (NEA)

• Manages U.S. foreign policy toward countries in the Middle East and North Africa. 

• Directs, coordinates, and supervises diplomatic activities within those countries, including 

consular and administrative management issues 

Duties of interns, both domestic and abroad, are similar in nature to that of a Junior Foreign Service 

Officer. These can include: reading/answering cable traffic, attending meetings, escorting visitors, 

compiling briefing books, conducting special research projects, and a host of other duties. Overseas 

interns, once selected, are provided with briefing materials, and an outline of specific duties and 

projects. Domestic interns are provided with duty statements and a handbook. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, DC, and abroad at certain U.S. Embassies and 

Consulates throughout the year. Because dangerous conditions exist in a number of NEA countries, 

The number of posts participating in the internship program may be limited and may be subject to 

change as circumstances warrant. 

Internships are offered in the political, economic, consular, public diplomacy and administrative 

sections in U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. For students applying for an internship abroad, 

please specify in your Statement of Interest the Embassy or Consulate at which you wish to pursue 

your internship. When available, housing is provided to interns assigned abroad, but not for those 

working in Washington, D.C. 

Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) 

OBO assists the Secretary of State and the Under Secretary for Management with formulating policy 

on the Department of State’s worldwide buildings program abroad for the Department of State and 

the U.S. Government community. 

Through its extensive program of new construction, facility rehabilitation, and operations programs, 

OBO provides safe, secure, and functional living and working space for the thousands of men and 

women who represent the United States and perform the important work of diplomacy. Since 2001, 

OBO has constructed over 56 new facilities and have moved more than 17,000 personnel into safer 

structures, and many more new facilities are either in the design or construction phase. 

As an intern at OBO, you can: 

• Work with engineers, architects, interior design, planners, project managers, and other 

professionals to help shape the overseas presence of U.S. diplomatic facilities throughout the 

world. 

• Architectural and engineering students will build critical skill sets relevant to a competitive 

and global job market including: state-of-the-art computer-aided design, green building 
 

33 

technology, mixed-use building design and construction, and focus on building and designing 

major compounds with stringent security requirements. 

• Benefit from on-site weekly lectures from industry professionals, relevant field trips, and 

participate in gatherings that allow relationship building with peers and working 

professionals. 

• Learn first-hand about the opportunities and long-term benefits of a career within Overseas 

Buildings Operations, while being exposed to the building industries based in the Washington, 

DC metropolitan area. 

Unpaid and some paid internships with flexible schedules are available throughout the year. 

Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) 

The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs is the Department of 

State's focal point for foreign policy development in the areas of: 

 

• U.S. policy on environment and sustainable development 

• Conservation and sustainable management of natural resources 

• Global climate change 

• Oceans and fisheries affairs 

• Marine conservation 

• International science and technology cooperation programs 

• Bioterrorism and biodefense 

• Infectious diseases and global health 

• Science and Technology 

• Public outreach on environmental diplomacy 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

OIG inspects each of the approximately 260 embassies, diplomatic posts, and international 

broadcasting installations throughout the world, to determine whether policy goals are being 

achieved and whether the interests of the United States are being represented and advanced 

effectively. Additionally, OIG performs specialized security inspections and audits in support of the 

Department's mission to provide effective protection to our personnel, facilities, and sensitive 

intelligence information. OIG also audits Department and BBG operations and activities to ensure 

that they are as effective, efficient, and economical as possible. Finally, OIG investigates instances of 

fraud, waste, and mismanagement that may constitute either criminal wrongdoing or violation of 

Department and BBG regulations. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C., throughout the year. The OIG's Office of 

Counsel encourages second-year law students to apply. 

Bureau of Public Affairs (PA) 

The Bureau of Public Affairs’ mission is to help make foreign policy less foreign to people around the 

globe by reaching out to the media and the public. The Bureau also provides guidance and direction 

to the Department on the communication of foreign policy. The following offices work within the 

bureau to accomplish these goals in many different ways: 

 

• Strategic Communications (PA/SCP): Develops strategic communication plans for 

Department initiatives, programs and policies and produces communication products such 

as focused “one-pagers” on a wide range of international affairs topics. 
 

34 

• Press Office (PA/PRESS): With primary focus on the Washington, D.C. press corps, but 

with frequent contact with nationwide and international media, the Office prepares the 

Department Spokesperson for the daily briefing; facilitates media coverage of the Secretary 

of State’s public events; issues statements, media notes, and fact sheets to articulate a hot 

topic or policy position; and facilitates special media briefings for specific issues or events. 

The Press Office at USAID explains USAID’s mission and programs and coordinates media 

and press advance for trips, events, and interviews by the USAID Administrator and its 

other principal officers. 

• Regional and Media Outreach (PA/RMO): Pursues media outreach, enabling Americans 

everywhere to hear directly from key Department officials through local, regional and 

national media interviews. 

• Public Liaison (PA/PL): Schedules briefings and conferences in the Department and 

arranges town meetings and speakers to visit communities to discuss U.S. foreign policy 

and why it is important to all Americans; reaches out to schools and non-governmental 

organizations; and answers questions from the public about current foreign policy issues by 

phone, email and letter 

• Intergovernmental Affairs (PA/IGA): Assists state, county and city governments with 

foreign policy questions and information concerning their official trips abroad and receiving 

foreign delegations. 

• Electronic Information (PA/EI): Manages the State Department's website at 

www.state.gov and a youth website (www.future.state.gov) develops web pages with up-todate information about U.S. foreign policy, and prepares special publications 

• Foreign Press Center (PA/FPC): Helps foreign media to cover the United States; 

generates programs for foreign journalists and broadcasters to deepen their understanding 

and the accuracy of their reporting on American society and U.S. foreign policy. 

• Broadcast Services (PA/OBS): Supports the foreign affairs communication mission of 

the U.S. Department of State by producing live TV pool coverage of events involving the 

President, Secretary of State, and principal spokespersons; by producing television 

coverage of current events in the U.S. and worldwide that present U.S. policies; and by 

producing news features, special events programs, documentaries and co-productions with 

foreign broadcasters. PA/OBS assists more than 100 small and large foreign TV news 

bureaus in the U.S. with live and taped coverage, b-roll footage, research, interviews and 

TV production assistance. All of this is distributed globally via broadcast fiber, satellite, and 

the internet. OBS operates AETN – The American Embassy Television Network, the 

Department of State’s global satellite broadcast network - a direct U.S. television resource 

for international broadcasters. 

• Rapid Response Unit (PA/RRU): Monitors global news stories around-the-clock, 

analyzes important media trends and puts together effective messages and distributes a 

daily alert to Cabinet secretaries and key policymakers in Washington and overseas. These 

reports provide an effective early warning system that helps us respond quickly to stories as 

varied as U.S. earthquake assistance to Pakistan, Iranian nuclear defiance, and Palestinian 

elections. 

• Office of the Historian (PA/HO): Prepares the official documentary record of U.S. foreign 

policy, The Foreign Relations of the United States; compiles historical studies on U.S. 

foreign policy and diplomacy; and responds to public inquiries on foreign policy and 

diplomatic history. 

• United States Diplomacy Center (PA/USDC): Plans, develops, and operates the 

National Museum of American Diplomacy which is dedicated to exploring the work and 

mission of the Department and the practice and challenges of American diplomacy; engages 

the public through outreach activities in educational institutions, programs offered at the 

Department of State, and through the Internet 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year in all of the above offices. 
 

35 

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) 

Supports the Secretary and the Under Secretary in playing a larger role in security and defense 

policy and will: 

• Provide a more informed State voice on Defense policies with major foreign policy 

implications 

• Provide analytic support on defense-related foreign policy issues 

• Contribute to the coordination of peacekeeping and related foreign policy issues 

• Lead a stronger State effort on regional security issues 

• Assume greater responsibilities in crisis management 

• Be responsible for arms transfers, defense trade controls, and political-military and Defense 

cooperation in critical infrastructure protection 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) 

• Develops and implements U.S. policies on international population, refugee and migration 

matters 

• Advances U.S. humanitarian principles by providing assistance to victims of persecution and 

civil strife 

• Administers the U.S. refugee admissions program that processes and resettles refugees in 

the United States. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of Resource Management (RM) 

Headed by the Department’s Chief Financial Officer, RM carries out a variety of resource 

management functions for the Department of State: 

• Resource Planning (RM/SPP): The Office of Strategic and Performance Planning (SPP) 

brings dedicated focus to the Department’s strategic, program, and performance planning 

activities. RM/SPP is responsible for the Department’s Mission Performance Plan (MPP) 

process, the Bureau Performance Plan (BPP) process, the annual Performance Plan, the 

coordination of all activities associated with the development of the Department of State 

Strategic Plan, and participates in the preparation of the combined Performance and 

Accountability Report. RM/SPP coordinates the annual Senior Reviews chaired by the Deputy 

Secretary, leads the inter-agency effort to update the International Affairs Strategic Plan 

(IASP), and ensures Department-wide compliance with the Government Performance and 

Results Act (GPRA). RM/SPP is also working to implement the President’s Management 

Agenda initiative on Budget and Performance Integration. 

• Office of Budget and Planning (State Operations) (RM/BP): This is the Department’s 

Budget shop. It focuses on State Programs and Operations. This shop is the first stop for 

any Department funding. It reviews the requirements, develops the budget, presenting 

appropriations requests and financial plans to OMB, the President, and the Congress and then 

ensures available resources are optimally allocated to achieve Department-wide strategic 

goals. It manages a network of Department budget and financial management processes 

and activities involving Department principals, other Department resource management 

offices, all Department bureaus, and other government agencies to operate a worldwide 

program for budget formulation, presentation and execution. 

• Resource Systems, Accountability and Policy (RM/DCFO): This Office does the primary 

technical and policy advising to the Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer on matters 

relating to financial management and provides guidance and coordination to the 
 

36 

Department's financial management program. The DCFO manages the Financial Policy, 

Reporting and Analysis Directorate, the Global Financial Management Systems Directorate, 

and the Global Financial Systems Support Directorate. The DCFO advises the Chief Financial 

Officer, and provides technical guidance on matters relating to financial management 

systems for the Department's worldwide activities, including, strategic planning for financial 

management, policy, procedures, and management controls. 

• Resource Execution (RM/GFS): Global Financial Services is located in Charleston, South 

Carolina at the Charleston Financial Services Complex. The Managing Directors for the 

Charleston Financial Service Center, the Paris Financial Service Center, the Bangkok Financial 

Service Center, the Domestic Financial Services Directorate, and the Customer Support, 

Training & Global Disbursing Operations Directorate all report to Director-GFS. With 

approximately 600 government and contract employees, GFS provides financial services not 

only to the Department of State’s domestic and worldwide offices, but also a myriad of other 

federal agencies with overseas presence. 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. and Charleston, SC throughout the 

year. 

Office of the Secretary of State (S) 

Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (R) 

• Coordinates overall U.S. public diplomacy in support of U.S. strategic interests 

and foreign policy objectives, using the tactics of engagement, exchanges, 

education and empowerment. 

• Oversees the Bureau of Public Affairs, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 

Affairs, and the Bureau of International Information Programs. Serves as the 

Secretary's representative on the Broadcasting Board of Governors which 

ensures and safeguards the integrity, quality and effectiveness of U.S. 

government international broadcasting. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. Selections will 

be made from applicants with knowledge of, and interest in, public diplomacy. 

Office of the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs and Coordinator for 

Tibetan Issues (G) 

• Coordinates U.S. foreign relations on a variety of global issues, including democracy, 

labor and human rights, population and the environment, international scientific 

affairs, migration, and refugees. 

• Oversees U.S. participation in the Community of Democracies, U.S.-Afghan Women's 

Council and U.S.-Iraq Women's Network initiatives 

• Oversees activities of three Bureaus: Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; Oceans 

and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; and Population, Refugees, and 

Migration 

• Oversees the Office of International Women's Issues, the Office of the Science and 

Technology Adviser, the Avian Influenza Action Group and the Office to Monitor and 

Combat Trafficking in Persons 

• The Under Secretary serves as the Special Coordinator on Tibetan issues. 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. Selections will be 

made from applicants with demonstrable knowledge of, and interest in, one or more Global 

issues. 
 

37 

Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues (G/IWI) 

• Reports directly to the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs 

• Recommends, advises, and participates in programs that promote women’s political 

participation, expand their economic opportunities, increase awareness of their 

basic human rights, and reinforce their position in civil society across the globe 

• Committed to raising public awareness, nationally and internationally, of U.S. 

Government policy on women through media, outreach efforts, and other public 

diplomacy tools 

• Oversees the Iraqi Women’s Democracy Initiative. 

• Website: www.state.gov/g/wi/

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs

(T) 

The Under Secretary's office provides policy direction in the following areas: 

• Nonproliferation, including missile and nuclear, as well as chemical, biological, and 

conventional weapons 

• Arms control, including negotiation, ratification and implementation of agreements on 

strategic, non-conventional and conventional forces 

• Regional security and defense relations, which involve policy regarding U.S. security 

commitments worldwide as well as use of U.S. military forces in unilateral or 

international peacemaking roles 

• Export control policy, e.g., the U.S. government controls exports that might 

contribute to proliferation or otherwise harm U.S. interests, while at the same time 

allowing legitimate exports that help U.S. business 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS)

This new office oversees and coordinates civilian response activities of the U.S. government 

in key states making the transition out of civil strife. 

 

• The office prepares, plans, and supports U.S. government stabilization and 

reconstruction activities in a range of situations that require the capabilities of 

multiple U.S. government agencies, including: complex emergencies, failing states, 

failed states, post-conflict environments, and/or situations involving peacekeeping or 

other international interventions. 

• The office provides the Secretary of State and other U.S. government decisionmakers with clear options; is developing an Operational Readiness Corps and Reserve 

for “surge” capacity; and serves as an internal expert consulting group, which either 

can support regional bureaus in coordinating, or can itself directly coordinate, the 

U.S. government response as the situation warrants. 

• The office seeks to monitor "hot spots," plans responses, conducts exercises, and preidentifies people and funds for rapid response. 

• The office aims to become a catalyst for applying lessons learned in sectors like 

governance, civil society, rule of law, democratization, transitional security, public 

safety, humanitarian relief, refugee resettlement, infrastructure reconstruction, 

education, community outreach, banking, debt, trade, privatization, economic 

stabilization, and multilateral diplomacy regarding failing and failed states. 
 

38 

• The office works with key private sector groups like Non-Governmental Organizations, 

Private Voluntary Organizations, contractors, think tanks and universities in order to 

develop expertise and build institutional response capacity. 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year.

Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT) 

• Coordinates the USG’s international counterterrorism policy to build the political will of 

foreign partners to combat terrorism and to assist our partners to develop the 

practical capacities - in law enforcement, border control, and banking regulation, 

among others - to identify, interdict and defeat terrorists. We accomplish this by: 

engaging with foreign governments and publics to reinforce policy goals; providing 

practical assistance to build law enforcement capacity (the Anti-Terrorism Assistance 

program), counterterrorism finance skills (Counterterrorism Finance Program), border 

control (the Terrorist Interdiction Program); and, building and sustaining USG 

counterterrorism capabilities through the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST) 

and Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). 

• Established a new Homeland Security Unit to coordinate cross-cutting policy issues 

within State regarding homeland security; it will also facilitate State’s coordination 

with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This will strengthen our links with 

the DHS and reinforce State’s coordinating lead on international counterterrorism 

policy. 

• Engages in bilateral, multilateral, and public diplomacy to deter terrorism through a 

firm policy of no concessions to terrorists, prosecution or extradition of international 

terrorists, and vigorous opposition to state-sponsored terrorism. 

• Identifies and develops justification for the U.S. government's biennial designation of 

foreign terrorist organizations. 

• Coordinates U.S. counterterrorism research and development including consultations 

and cooperation with selected countries. 

• Leads interagency Foreign Emergency Support Team that stands ready to deploy 

overseas on four hours notice in the event of an international terrorist incident. 

 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Foreign Service Grievance Board (S/FSGB) 

Congress established the Foreign Service Grievance Board as an independent adjudicatory 

body to ensure procedural protections for Foreign Service employees of the six Foreign 

Affairs agencies. The Board must resolve the tensions that sometimes develop between the 

need to protect employee rights and the desire to enhance Foreign Service efficiency. The 

major function of the Board is to provide a forum for the fair review and adjudication of 

grievance appeals. The Board's jurisdiction extends to any grievance, as defined in Section 

1101 of the Foreign Service Act, and to any separation for cause proceeding initiated 

pursuant to Section 610(a) (2). The jurisdiction of the Foreign Service Grievance Board is 

limited to current and former members of the Foreign Service who are U.S. citizens. The 

Board also has jurisdiction over labor-management implementation disputes and certain 

retirement annuity pension claims. Its decisions generally are binding on the grievant and 

the agency alike subject only to judicial review. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. Those interested 

in a broad view of the practical problems of the Foreign Service, personnel management 

and/or computer database management, are encouraged to apply. Interested persons are 

welcome to visit the Board’s website at www.fsgb.gov. 
 

39 

Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) 

• Implements the President’s $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - largest 

commitment ever by a single nation toward an international health initiative 

• Oversees and directs all resources and international activities of the U.S. Government 

to combat the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, including U.S. contributions to the Global 

Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. 

• Under the Emergency Plan, life-saving medical treatment will be provided to two 

million people living with HIV/AIDS, seven million new HIV infections will be 

prevented, and care will be provided to ten million people infected and affected by 

HIV/AIDS, including orphans and vulnerable children. 

• Additional information about the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator may be 

found at www.state.gov/s/gac. 

Paid and unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Office of Civil Rights (S/OCR) 

• Manages all Department of State programs and activities which promote equal 

employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action for employees and applicants 

for employment 

• Directs a complaints processing program which addresses complaints of 

discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual 

orientation, disabling condition, or prior statutory, constitutionally protected activity 

• Advises the Secretary of State and senior Departmental managers on affirmative 

action and diversity issues and develops and implements policies and procedures to 

eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity 

• Conducts briefings and training sessions on EEO, diversity management, and diversity 

for departmental components worldwide 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year to undergraduate, 

graduate, and law students with an interest in public service, equal employment opportunity 

and civil rights issues. 

Office of the Secretary, Policy Planning Staff (S/P) 

The Policy Planning Staff (S/P) serves as a source of independent policy analysis and advice 

for the Secretary of State. S/P's mission is to take a longer-term, strategic view of global 

trends and frame recommendations for the Secretary of State to advance U.S. interests and 

American values. Fulfilling this mission entails: 

 

• Undertaking broad analytical studies of regional and functional issues 

• Taking the lead on certain issues as tasked by the Secretary of State 

• Engaging functional and regional bureaus within the Department and relevant 

government agencies to ensure coordination and integration of policy with longerterm objectives 

• Holding policy planning talks with major allies 

• Acting as liaison to the non-governmental, think-tank and academic communities 

• Articulating policy through the Secretary's speechwriters who are members of the 

staff 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 
 

40 

Office of War Crimes Issues (S/WCI) 

• Advises the Secretary of State on U.S. efforts to address serious violations of 

international humanitarian law committed anywhere in the world including the 

Balkans, Africa and Asia 

• Consults with other U.S. government agencies, Congress, foreign governments, the 

United Nations and other government and non-governmental organizations on 

international tribunals and other mechanisms designed to address mass atrocities 

• Works with U.S. government offices, foreign governments and non-governmental 

organizations on post-conflict transitions, including justice and accountability 

mechanisms 

• Work involves significant focus on legal issues 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. There is a 

preference for law students. 

Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA)

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with countries in the South Asian countries of India, 

Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. 

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with countries in the Central Asian countries of 

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. 

• Directs, coordinates, and supervises diplomatic activities within those countries, 

including consular and administrative management issues. 

Duties of interns, both domestic and abroad, are similar in nature to that of a Junior Foreign Service 

Officer. These can include: reading/answering cable traffic, attending meetings, escorting visitors, 

compiling briefing books, conducting special research projects, and a host of other duties. Overseas 

interns, once selected, are provided with briefing materials, and an outline of specific duties and 

projects. Domestic interns are provided with duty statements and a handbook. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C., and abroad at certain U.S. Embassies and 

Consulates throughout the year. Because dangerous conditions exist in a number of SCA countries, 

the number of posts participating in the internship program may be limited and may be subject to 

change as circumstances warrant. 

Internships are offered in the political, economic, consular, public diplomacy and administrative 

sections in U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. For students applying for an internship abroad, 

please specify in your Statement of Interest the Embassy or Consulate at which you wish to pursue 

your internship. When available, housing is provided to interns assigned abroad, but not for those 

working in Washington, D.C. 
 

41 

Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) 

Appointed in September 2000, the Adviser and STAS lead an initiative to: 

 

• Strengthening the S&T literacy and capacity of the Department as a whole - both by 

increasing the number of scientists in the Department and by increasing training and 

exposure of diplomatic and civil service personnel to S&T issues 

• Building a partnership with the outside S&T community - academia, technical agencies, 

associations, industry - particularly in the U.S., but also abroad 

• Providing advice to the Secretary and other senior Department officials, and catalyzing 

initiatives for greater State leadership in international S&T cooperation and related policy 

developments for new and emerging S&T issues 

 

STAS can accommodate up to two interns during any internship period, but also will assist in 

identifying regional and functional bureaus, as well as embassies abroad, that may require S&T 

interns. The positions may or may not be paid, depending on bureau policy. Accordingly, applicants 

should also indicate their field(s) of concentration as well as any preferences for overseas locations. 

See the STAS website: www.state.gov/g/stas/. 

United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN) 

The United States Mission to the United Nations was established in 1947 by the United Nations 

Participation Act to assist the President and the Department of State in conducting U.S. policy at the 

United Nations. 

• Carries out our nation's participation in the world body 

• Recommends what course of action the United States should pursue in the world 

organization 

 

Unpaid internships are available in New York City throughout the year. Internships may be in: 

Political Affairs, Economic and Social Affairs, UN Resource Management, Military Staff Committee, 

Research and Reference, Legal Section, Host Country Affairs, Press and Public Affairs, Protocol, 

Management Affairs, and Regional Security Office. Please specify in your statement of interest the 

section(s) you would like to be placed. Contact the bureau for a more detailed description of each 

section. www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov 

Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation (VCI) 

• The Verification, Compliance, and Implementation (VCI) Bureau’s core mission is to 

ensure that appropriate verification requirements and capabilities are fully considered and 

properly integrated throughout the development, negotiation, and implementation of 

arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements and commitments, and to 

ensure that other countries’ compliance is carefully watched, rigorously assessed, 

appropriately reported, and resolutely enforced. In this regard, the Bureau is 

responsible, inter alia, for preparing verifiability assessments on proposals and 

agreements, and reporting these to Congress, as required. The Bureau also prepares the 

President’s annual report to Congress on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms 

Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments. 

• As required by statue, the Bureau is responsible for ensuring that U.S. intelligence 

capabilities to collect, analyze, and disseminate precise and timely information bearing 

upon matters of verification and compliance – e.g., on the nature and status of foreign 

governments’ Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and delivery system programs – are 

effectively acquired, maintained, and enhanced. VCI is designated by law as the principal 

policy community representative to the Intelligence Community with regard to verification 

and compliance matters, and uses this role – and the access to and interaction with the 
 

42 

Intelligence Community that it entails – both to promote, preserve, and enhance key 

collection and analytic capabilities and to ensure that verification, compliance, and 

implementation intelligence requirements are met. 

• Finally, the Bureau has the lead within the State Department on all issues related to 

missile defense and national security space policy. In this regard, the Bureau plays a 

special role in the interagency community with regard to the international aspects of 

missile defense (e.g., cooperation with foreign governments and the diplomatic aspects of 

U.S. missile defense decisions) and the development of U.S. and multinational policies 

related to actual or potential military uses of space and the protection of the United 

States’ space-related infrastructure. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year. 

Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) 

• Conducts foreign relations with Mexico, Canada, Central and South America and the 

Caribbean 

• Directs, coordinates, and supervises U.S. government activities within this region, 

including political, economic, consular, public diplomacy and administrative management 

issues 

• Prefers Spanish, French, Portuguese speaking/reading applicants 

 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. and abroad at certain U.S. embassies and 

consulates throughout the year. When available, housing is provided to interns assigned abroad. 

Internships are offered in the political, economic, consular, public diplomacy and administrative 

sections of embassies abroad. For students applying for an internship abroad, please specify 

in your Statement of Interest the embassy or consulate at which you wish to pursue your 

internship. Duties of interns, both domestic and abroad, are similar in nature to that of an Entry 

Level Foreign Service Officer. These can include: reading/answering cable traffic, attending 

meetings, escorting visitors, compiling briefing books, conducting special research projects, and a 

host of other duties. Once selected, overseas interns are provided with an outline of specific duties 

and projects. Domestic interns are provided with duty statements and a handbook. 

 

U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States (WHA/USOAS)

The United States Mission to the Organization of American States was formally established in 1948, 

and is the only embassy located within the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The 

Organization of American States (OAS) is the world's oldest regional organization, dating back to the 

First International Conference of American States held in Washington, D.C. in October 1889. It is 

the premier multilateral forum for dealing with political issues in the Western Hemisphere. 

Unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. throughout the year.
 
U.S. Department of State 

E P L U R I BU S 

U N U M 

E P L U R I B U S 

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