Meghann BarnerMy time as a research intern at The Institute of World Politics has been a phenomenal experience. Every activity, whether it was war games, fireside chats, outings, or otherwise was meticulously thought out to enhance our education and preparedness for our future careers.
There were times that I felt a bit out of my comfort zone, and that may well have also been part of the design, as not every endeavor in one’s life is easy, and careers in national security are not meant to be comfortable. Within a few weeks’ time, I learned quite a lot, whether it was tailoring my rhetoric for briefings, formulating the right questions to ask, playing a war game, or even navigating public transportation like an expert. This type of experience fostered a cohort relationship that will end in a lifelong network of professionals, there is no doubt.
I particularly enjoyed delving into my research project, which was incredibly different from the academic papers I have written in the past. The subject matter was relevant and fascinating, and I learned a great deal about great power competition while focusing on my region of interest. Playing as Russia in Diplomacy war games was another highlight during the internship. My partner and I were quite successful, and we kept each other focused and balanced while we made allies and broke hearts. The outings offered us a front row seat to our nation’s capital. In addition to meeting, learning from, and engaging with professionals, each experience was meant to remind of us of why national security and diplomacy are so important.
The last ten weeks have enhanced my desire to learn and have sparked excitement for my future. While I feel that I have been equipped with tools to be successful in the field, much of my learning experience can be applied to most, if not all, aspects of my life.
Meghann Barner
Southern New Hampshire University, Class of 2027
Research Intern