As a junior, I was actively looking for opportunities to jumpstart my professional career while continuing to broaden my academic horizons. IWP’s National Security, International Affairs, and Intelligence Research Internship was the most rewarding experience that integrated both of these interests, and I gained a significant amount of insight into the Intelligence Community and the larger national security apparatus. I have benefited greatly from my experience at IWP, becoming well-versed in and developing a grounded understanding of counterintelligence and timely issues around the globe, in addition to other topics I was not familiar with prior to the experience.
Among the most constructive and beneficial experiences within the internship was getting to practice and refine my public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills in the process of writing and delivering intelligence and policy briefings. It got me out of my comfort zone and shed a new light on the importance of being able to communicate critical information concisely and effectively in front of any audience. As I am considering a career in the intelligence enterprise, these skills and the ability to write, providing only the most important and timely information, were essential to developing a professional understanding of the demands of policymakers and intelligence agencies.
Getting the chance to engage in the master’s-level course 615 Western Moral and Political Thought with Professor Tim McCranor deepened my understanding of how classical/medieval and modern political philosophy is woven into the United States’ foundations and modern practices. Not having had a significant exposure to the philosophers beforehand, the course enabled me to engage with varying views of what politics is meant to accomplish in a community and what the “good life” entails.
As an intern at IWP, I also got the opportunity to participate in various research projects, both an independent paper exploring a topic of choice and an extensive cooperative research project. Alongside several IWP doctoral and master’s degree candidates and my fellow interns, I got to explore the perceptions of counterintelligence in academic and corporate environments through surveys, data collection, and analysis. I was able to contribute to a deliverable centered around a very timely topic, which was presented to IXN Solutions. Being part of the larger project while getting to conduct my own research, write a paper, and defend the importance of Chinese malign influence in Panama and the national security implications was an enriching experience that culminated in two publications, one of which was my own.
Other great opportunities I got to take advantage of while interning at IWP included outings around D.C. to experience some of the very rich, foundational aspects of the country’s history and framework, and learn about how they are dedicated to the maintenance of our government, national security, and international prosperity. Some of the sites included the VOC Museum, the DOJ’s RFK Building, the Institute for the Study of War, and the Pentagon. IWP has instilled in me the power of networking and connecting with officials and personnel in various arteries of our country’s government and intelligence apparatus. Additionally, being surrounded by other aspiring young professionals made my overall experience at IWP that much more valuable, as we explored the nuances of the national security, international affairs, and intelligence landscapes and workforces together. IWP’s staff and faculty made the Institute an inviting environment that fosters curiosity and enthusiasm about the world and how the U.S. fits into the dynamic international community in the heart of Washington. My experience at IWP propelled my inquisitive approach towards national security and intelligence and has contributed greatly to my professional and academic development.
Vanessa Neubauer
King University, Class of 2026
National Security, International Affairs, and Intelligence Research Intern
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