Danish KadriThis internship has truly been formative and crucial to my professional development as a soon-to-be college graduate. It effortlessly combined academic rigor with professional standards to provide a holistic experience that truly captures what life in the national security field is like. It serves as a sweet spot, where my time in the advancement office doing professional work was balanced with the IWP 615 class and briefings. Because of this, it provided a transitional experience that bridged my college coursework to my career as a young professional. It also offered a work-school balance that later mirrored a work-life balance, which proved incredibly beneficial.
From weekly briefings to strategizing, forecasting, and threat analysis, this internship has honed my skills. It has given me the confidence and ability to continue to pursue a career in international affairs.
There is one thing I value the most from this internship. I must admit it is rather cliché, but it is genuine and from the bottom of my heart. Above all, it was the friends I made along the way that I value the most. I found like-minded aspiring FSOs with whom I have forged lifelong bonds in my internship cohort.
Truly, this was an unforgettable experience, and I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as I did.
Danish Kadri
Arizona State University, Class of 2025
Advancement Intern