Preparing to Work in the Government

So I've done a lot of talking about how to look for jobs in government. I would like to take a little bit of time to talk about how to prepare yourself while in college for working for government.

I think the number one way to prepare yourself is by studying abroad. I spent a semester in Geneva, Switzerland through the Kent State Geneva Semester. It was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to me. While in Geneva we had briefings at important places with important people such as the UN. UNHCR, International Red Cross, ambassadors to the UN from countries such as Iran, Palestine, Russia, China and Israel. I also participated in a week-long trip to Berlin and Dresden where we studied the reunification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was stuff I would not have gotten to do, had I not studied in Switzerland. I could have read all the books about the reunification of Germany, but until I went and saw how Berlin was devastated and Dresden destroyed, I would not have fully understood.

If you're not sure about studying abroad (and it is a BIG decision) I would recommend at least spending a semester in Washington, D.C. interning for some branch of the government or an NGO. And if you're not really sure about leaving your home state, try for an internship with your state's Governor or a district office for youe Member of Congress. You might love it, or decide it's not for you. At least after trying it out you know!