Internship Questions- what should I do with my summer?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

I’m entering into a top university as a second semester sophomore. I’m studying poli sci and want to go to grad school. My dream career is working in international relations, specifically with something to do with national security.

Is it better to spend my summer this year traveling the world, getting more fluent in another language (I study French). Or would my time be more useful interning somewhere in DC?

Also, how many internships should I have under my belt by the time I graduate? (I have zero now).

I also have never traveled outside of the country and I realize with IR, and even some grad schools, this is extremely important.

2

Good questions. You are late for internships - but my daughter was seeking an internship for Fall in DC and had a lot of traction in - I think May, June. But you don’t just “get an internship” - but they were surprisingly plentiful.

On the flipside, if you’re unable, traveling is great - but do you want to travel or would you rather do an academic program - which you can do abroad (you might be too late but check with your school’s study abroad office) or a program through a school like MIddlebury.

It’s really up to you as to what you do - but you might be constrained now in the choices you can make.

Good luck.