Blair urges State Dept. service

 
Faculty and Students received important information Monday morning on possible opportunities traveling abroad with the Official U.S. Department of State.
The U.S. Department of State offers jobs and internships that allow students to travel across the world while gaining internship experience.
Minister Counselor of the U. S. Department of the State Diplomat in Residence Donna Blair, spoke to students Monday morning about these great opportunities.
” Globally great experience for students who are culturally and intellectually curious,” said Blair.  Blair then revealed the many opportunities that are within the career services of the state department.
” There are 5 career services offered within the department: foreign service, management offices, economic office, political office, and public diplomacy,” said Blair.
Although the career services of the U.S. department of state offers, many opportunities, Blair also spoke on the internship program they offer.
” Application period for the internship program is October 1^st through November 1^st,” Blair said.  Blair then mentioned that Southern University had two students in the internship program last year and how one was in Changzhou, China while the other was in Naples, Italy.
Port Allen 2^nd year Social Science Graduate student Willie Williams discussed his actual experience with the internship.
” As an American diplomat helping U.S. citizens abroad is the purpose of the state department,” Williams said.  He then told of his experience in Naples, Italy, which provided him with a new passion for global politics.
Williams explained his daily experience as an intern overseas during the seminar.
” I had 40 hour weeks, and after work I usually walked next to the Mediterranean sea as well as got some pizza,” said Williams.
 Williams looked to travel on the weekends by riding on trains to Rome, Vatican City, Florence, and Venice.
Williams told of many opportunities Blair warned of the competiveness of the field.
“Out of 13,000 applicants only 2,000 are chosen,” said Blair.  She then revealed that many of the internship positions are unpaid.
After the Seminar, Dean of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs William Arp III spoke on the success of the seminar.
” Definitely a success, students participated from all areas of University,” Arp III said. Arp then spoke on the whole idea of the session was to inform students of the opportunity for career advancement.
3^rd year Houston law school student Erin Campbell told of her reason for attending the event.       
” I’m interested in working for the federal agency,” said Campbell.
Baton Rouge Public Administration graduate student Cameryn Blackmore discussed what she learned at the seminar.
“It’s hard work trying to get into the federal government, but it’s worth it when you get on,” said Blackmore.
Arp III told of this event being part of Nelson Mandela ‘s school to alleviate opportunities for student to achieve.                                
” We Plan to have a series of speakers during this academic year,” Said Arp III.
For more information, interested students can visit careers.state.gov or the U.S. Department of State office at 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520.