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We recently spoke with (IAFS & SPAN ’21) about her experience in the IAFS Internship Program and how it helped launch her career in foreign policy. Emma is now a second-year master’s student at (SAIS), where she’s a - a program that provided full tuition support and made graduate school a reality. She’s excited to share insights about both the IAFS Internship Program and the Fellowship with students interested in following a similar path - and read Emma's "Where Are They Now?" Alumni Spotlight to learn more!

(IAFS & SPAN ’21) is a Master’s student in International Relations at (SAIS), where she is a concentrating in Security, Strategy, and Statecraft with a regional focus on Latin America. Previously, she worked in research at the and the at Eurasia Group, supporting analysis on US foreign policy, sanctions, migration, defense, and national security. She has also conducted research on US-Africa policy and counterterrorism in sub-Saharan Africa as a with the , and received training in diplomatic tradecraft through the . Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Emma holds a BA in International Affairs and Spanish from the University of Colorado Boulder.

What made you decide to do an internship and participate in the IAFS Internship Program (IAFS 4930: Internship in International Affairs)?��

Coming from Oregon, I didn’t have any built-in connections to the foreign policy world and honestly didn’t know how people broke into the field. Being able to tie academic credit to an internship made it feel both accessible and worthwhile, especially since mine was virtual. The program also encouraged me to network and treat the internship as more than a resume bullet point—which ended up being critical in landing my first full-time job after undergrad!��

What advice would you give current IAFS students who are searching for internships?

Apply broadly and look beyond the most obvious organizations. If you’re interested in a specific region or issue, there’s probably a think tank or policy team focused on it - seek them out. Read their work, reach out with thoughtful questions or comments, and don’t be afraid to network with people earlier in their careers; they’re often the most responsive and remember exactly what it’s like to be in your position.

Also, be open to roles outside of your preferred topical niche - communications, operations, or administrative positions can be great entry points. Getting a foot in the door matters. And if you’re interested in US foreign policy, don’t downplay coming from Colorado or outside the DC bubble. Your perspective as an “outsider” to the DC world can be very attractive to organizations here!��

How did your experiences at ���������� Boulder prepare you for the academic and professional expectations of Johns Hopkins SAIS?

���������� gave me flexibility - academically and professionally - that I didn’t fully appreciate until later. There were moments when I thought I needed to specialize early, but over time I’ve come to see real value in being a generalist. That foundation has helped me adapt quickly at SAIS and feel comfortable engaging across different issue areas.

Were there any unexpected challenges you faced early in your career, and how did you navigate them?

I felt a lot of pressure after graduation to move straight into graduate school or to follow a very linear timeline. One year of work turned into three, and I’m incredibly grateful for that time. It gave me space to grow professionally and personally. At the same time, I had to be honest with myself about when additional education would be necessary to keep progressing (especially in the research space!). Constantly reassessing that balance was challenging, but it ultimately worked out better than I could have planned.

If you could give one piece of advice to IAFS students right now, what would it be?

Build relationships - intentionally and early. Professors, alumni, friends of friends, and mentors are the people who will open doors, offer guidance, and eventually write recommendations for you. Asking for help can feel uncomfortable, but everyone in this field has relied on others at some point. Do it thoughtfully and make sure to pay it forward when you can.