I rushed out of the Foggy Bottom metro station in an attempt to beat the morning traffic. As I walked down the street and paused at a stoplight, I looked to my left to see the sun rising behind the Washington Monument in between a break of two buildings. It’s a beautiful view that I get to see every morning on my commute to my internship. The morning is chilled, fitting for the beginning of November, and it is the last day of my internship at the U.S. Department of State.
I began my internship at the State Department on August 26th, a week earlier than the other Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program (WHIP) students. Over the course of ten weeks, I worked in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs and learned about the procedures of economic diplomacy and strategy.
Starting my internship on day one, I did not know what to expect. I was at the heart of bureaucracy, yet I had no idea how the internal operations of it functioned. Not only that, but this was also my first ever internship and my first insight into the professional world. I was nervously excited for what this semester would bring.
When I first had walked into the Harry S. Truman building, the headquarters for the Department of State, I met my fellow interns. There must have been well over 100 of us! I had only met a handful of other juniors, most of the other interns being seniors or graduate students. Once our orientation and a lot of paperwork was completed, my new friends and I parted ways with promises to meet up later. I made my way to my office (after getting a little lost in the hallways) where I met my new colleagues.
I felt drawn to apply to the Department of State for two reasons: my childhood unrealistic dream to be a diplomat, and a curiosity of the department. Looking back on my internship experience, I’m grateful to say that I satisfied both reasons.
A large aspect of the internship program was networking. This intimidated me at first, but as I began my coffee chats, I soon discovered that the men and women who worked here were incredible people with incredible stories.
Some were Foreign Service Officers who worked at State their entire lives! They traveled the world, met with foreign dignitaries, and described to me the physical impact they made by acting as a representative for the United States. I also met Civil Service Officers, economic analysts, and political appointees. They all had unique experiences of working in the private sector before the State Department. But a common theme amongst all those I met with was a sincere and genuine desire to help me with my future.
The emphasis on networking broke me out of my comfort zone and allowed my confidence to grow. I grew more comfortable talking about my talents and aspirations for the future. But the real value of this sort of environment was the advice and stories I gained. I never knew how a person could become a diplomat for the United States, but I came to realize that path isn’t as impossible as I first imagined.
I found myself enjoying the work I did, and I eagerly volunteered for events hosted by other offices. My fellow interns and I went on fieldtrips outside our office, touring places like the Supreme Court and the White House.
It was a challenge to experience a professional workspace for the first time, especially in a workspace that is fast paced like the Department of State. But looking back on where I was on my first day and where I am now, I recognize the growth that I experienced.
One of my favorite places in the Department of State was its cafeteria, a place where I overindulged in the vast selection of food choices. It was there where I met with so many interns and employees. On my first day, I was surprised to see that they offered sushi, but soon discovered they had very delicious California Rolls. And since I bought the sushi for lunch on my first day, I sentimentally decided it would only be right to buy sushi again for my last.
As I finish up some of the last assignments I would do for my internship, I realize that my perspective on bureaucracies has shifted. The Department of State does vital work with their impacts felt around the world. One of my colleagues in my office began working there only a week before I came along, and she told me that it was fascinating “to see how the sausage is made.” A funny expression, but I can’t help but agree with her. Many Americans don’t see the effort and amount of work that goes into the essential operations in bureaucracy, and I’m truly grateful for the lessons of diplomacy that I received.
At the end of my last day, I had a small get-together with my office before my supervisor walked me out. It was bittersweet to walk through the halls. I finally learned how to navigate the maze that is the Department of State headquarters, but now I had to leave.
I passed by the same break between the two buildings that presented the unobstructed view of the Washington Monument as I made my way to the Foggy Bottom metro station.
It was an absolute pleasure to work at the Department of State. The morning commute was tough, but what I learned and the experiences I gained made it a valuable internship that I won’t forget.
By Sophie Fink, '25