<p>S1 has just started his second year of college, and is planning ahead (surprisingly) and looking into internships and jobs for next summer. He's exploring options at his school, but knows I'm a regular poster here on CC, so asked if I could run this past you folks too. </p>
<p>He will major in IR, with a focus on international security. Currently in his second of four years of Arabic. GPA just over 3.75. He will apply for a CIA internship (though says they’re very tough to get for sophmores), as well as one at the NSA for students of Arabic. Is also interested in the State Dept and other govt agencies, think tanks, etc.</p>
<p>He’s worked two jobs the last three summers, and has some money saved up. I have no idea what percentage of internships are paid vs. not, or if stipends for rent are ever given. We live close enough that he could commute to NYC, but I don’t know what’s to be found there. He is willing to go just about anywhere. </p>
<p>Just wondering if any of you have children with similar interests or experience in these areas—
Thanks</p>
<p>State and other govt agencies do hire interns, and because of clearance issues, he should start early, although he may find last summer's announcements still listed. </p>
<p>He can start on the web, since this stuff, at least with the feds, is not hidden.</p>
<p>If he applies, he should seek help on how to word things in the applications, since federal things can be quite different.</p>
<p>Thanks, newmassdad-
He said he needs to find exactly what to include on his resume, as he hasn't updated it since he applied to college. So far he is surprised at how short the applications are. A couple require brief statements, but that's all. Doesn't give them much to work with.</p>
<p>Don't know about internship applications specifically, but if they are anything like federal job apps, there are a lot of poorly documented "rules" regarding what they really want to see. </p>
<p>I might be to his advantage to speak to folks involved in intern recruiting at some of these agencies to learn if there are any tricks to a good app. I just don't know.</p>
<p>he could also do one of the free strategic language initiative study-abroad programs. He wouldn't make any money, but could improve his language skills... google "Boren"</p>
<p>You might try the State Dept.'s summer scholarships for critical languages. Some of them go to undergraduates as well.</p>
<p>As far as the internship stuff goes, all I can say is good luck. My daughter tried to break into the same organizations for an internship after graduation (double major-IR & Asian studies, 3.8, Phi Beta Kappa) and 6 months in Morocco honing her Arabic skills. She lived in DC at the time and got some interviews but no joy. She found it easier to get into law school. The CIA was especially frustrating because they indicated a long wait for a security clearance, so the advice to apply early is a good idea. I wish your DS well, it would be great experience.</p>