Subj:    INTERNSHIP AFTER ACTION REPORT:  Center for Strategic and International Studies

1. My internship was a nine to five job in which I would research background information that the director of Homeland Security at CSIS required. I would compile a daily report of the recent news that concerned homeland security. Therefore I would write briefs about boarder control, transportation, terrorism, emergencies and disasters, organizational and structural changes with in DHS, immigration, and recent technology that was related to DHS. This usually took up my whole morning, but it exposed me to the level of information that just one small section of CSIS was concerned with. In the afternoons I would work on my larger project that was more specific. The director, David Heyman, would meet with me once a week about my task of researching the internal defense of the United States, more specifically the unlawful searching and wiretapping that assorted governmental agencies had undertaken.
2. The experience that I gained through my internship at CSIS through working with other students at other universities, listening in on briefs about homeland security or any other topics that CSIS was presenting. Debating different homeland security policies and the structure within with a group of my peers and a few of the directors of the division gave me new perspectives and insights. I also gained personal understanding of other peoples lives. Where I was staying required me to ride the metro into DC every morning and soon I understood what many people dealt with everyday. I realize how relatively close everything is at the Naval Academy and also how many people support the brigade of midshipman.
3. Since I was the only intern in the Homeland Security division they assigned me the task of reading through the United States Strategy for Homeland Security and the United States Defense Strategy. I was to locate the vague language that would allow the government to invade privacy of its citizens in the name of national defense against terrorists. I really found this assignment challenging because I would like to think that the government would not provide loopholes to allow such unconstitutional acts. After reading through both lengthy documents I found what my director wanted and I realized how wordy yet specific the government can be. The director also had me research which politicians on the hill were the most vocal against governmental organizations searching and invading privacy rights that are protected for all U.S. citizens because they feel they have probable cause that they are associated to a terrorist organization. Therefore I searched through documents and speeches, from the hill, and I located two senators that had spoken about it, but this led to nowhere since there have been no investigations and therefore no concrete evidence. I spent my time there thoroughly researching a topic that I was not well versed in and I finished my internship with a nearly complete understanding.
4. The highlight of this internship was the freedom that I was granted. As long as I finished my work, my division did not care if I attended briefs or meetings around DC, and they actually encouraged that I attend at least one every other day. I attended a seminar on the economics of Latin American countries, I listened to a political scientist speak on his experience in Iraq after he had just recently returned. I was able to attend a book lecture on the latest book concerning DHS that was written by a man who used to be among the highest within the Department of Homeland Security. Through these seminars and briefs I was exposed to many innovative ideas and felt privileged to be sitting among the top political thinkers and to be face to face with many of the leaders among these different policy arenas.
5. I highly recommend this internship. It was an experience I will never forget and I had many thought provoking conversations with not only the other interns, but the director Homeland Security division. I gained an immense amount of knowledge and confidence while working at CSIS and I am thoroughly appreciative that I was granted this opportunity.

I believe that the Naval Academy should increase the number of internships that they offer students and that they should offer them in a wide variety of areas because it is helpful for us to be able to communicate with our peers and leaders outside of the Naval Academy. I have gained an appreciation for the work that non profit organizations conduct.

The only thing wrong with this internship is that DC can be expensive.

6. I would like to add that if you are at all interested in the idea of partaking in an internship, then be sure to fill out an application. I would completely regret my decision to not try at this internship if I knew how much I would enjoy it and how much I would gain from my experience.

Subj:    INTERNSHIP AFTER ACTION REPORT:  CSIS

1. General Information

Spending three weeks at CSIS was an invaluable experience.  The organization as a whole loved having students from military academies involved in their program, and they were extremely accommodating with our less than convenient summer schedules.  Within CSIS there are numerous teams and divisions dedicated to working on different programs and research studies, which makes finding an interesting area of study easy to do.  The environment is very friendly, and while professionalism is always appreciated, the level that we are used to is neither expected nor demanded.  Other students viciously compete for the opportunity to spend the entire summer with CSIS, so you can expect to work with some very eager and ambitious people.  While the opportunity to learn a lot is there, the most important and interesting part of the experience is meeting and talking with the people who work there, both fellows and interns.  It will give you a whole new perspective on the real world application of many theoretical ideas we study in class.

2. Experience Gained

While you may only get the chance to intern for three weeks depending on your summer schedule, I highly recommend the opportunity to do so.  I learned a lot about working in the civilian sector, and what it feels like to go to work everyday.  You are an intern, so be mindful that some of the tasks you get might be menial, but that your attitude is the most important thing they see.  Don’t relegate yourself to just sitting at your computer and being an intern.  Capitalize on every chance you get to talk to the fellows about their research, their opinion on matters that interest you, and ask as many questions as you can.  The fact that you go to a military academy is a great lead in to any question you have, because they will look at and treat you differently.  How busy you are will greatly vary depending on how much you volunteer for.  I know that we often shy away from volunteering for much here, but jump on every chance you get to be involved; especially if you are only there for three weeks because the time will go by in a flash.

3. Projects ( be specific)

I worked with the East Asian Security team, so a lot of my time was involved looking at China.  I had daily responsibilities searching through foreign news sources and compiling stories that related to security anywhere in East Asia.  I helped put together briefing books for a conference on U.S/Japan/Taiwan relations.  Part of my job took me over to the Japanese Embassy where I interviewed one of their 1^st ministers on Sino-Japanese relations.  Lastly I worked with some of the fellows on their recent publication, China: The Balance Sheet, finding research data and updates to their material.

4. Highlights

One of the best parts of the internship experience was going to lunch with the research fellows and the other interns.  The environment was very relaxed and we had the chance to learn a little bit about each other and talk about pertinent issues going on in the world.  Any chance you get to interact with the people you work with outside of the office, take.

5. Recommendations

I thoroughly enjoyed working at CSIS.  Depending on what block you are going to be there, you probably want to look at housing early.  I stayed in Annapolis, drove to the metro station at New Carrolton, and then took the metro into the city.  In my opinion it was better than dealing with traffic in D.C., but you might want to consider renting a place at GWU like many other interns did. 

Being a civilian organization, it is not required that you wear a uniform, but make sure you have nice business casual clothes (shirt and tie/ female equivalent).  Their hours are very different, usually 9-5, but getting there even just 10 minutes early gets noticed.

If you haven’t been to D.C. a lot, use the opportunity to discover D.C.  There is so much to do there, and over the summer is a great time to do it.

6. Any additional information you want to provide

The advantage of working at CSIS is that you are not working with the military and get a chance to see a whole other side to international relations and politics.  It will be an eye opening and enlightening experience.  Ask to help with research, and depending on what group or team you are with, there is a chance for you to write and article and get it published in some decent journals using the research fellow’s name.  Explore every opportunity you have there, and again I emphasize, get to know the people because that is where you will learn the most.