An Elon junior sought feedback from Career Services when applying for an internship that had him researching cybersecurity and cyberwarfare.
Joshua McGee discovered an interest in cyber issues last year during a Model UN event. The junior political science and international studies double major from Raleigh, N.C., soon identified the Center for Strategic and International Studies as a possible internship opportunity for summer 2011, and after getting feedback on his résumé from the Office of Career Services, he found himself working for the influential think tank in Washington, D.C.
McGee, who can be followed on Twitter at @joshuamcgee0325, is the first person to be featured this year in a series of E-net profiles on the recent experiences of students and alumni who use the Career Center to not only find job and internship openings, but to prepare for interviews and improve applications with guidance from Career Services staff.
He answered six questions recently from the Office of University Relations.
Tell me about the company and your role as an intern.
CSIS provides strategic insights and bipartisan policy solutions to decision makers in government, international institutions, the private sector and civil society. It’s based in Washington, D.C., and provides this strategic insight through holding events and publishing in-depth research and commentary. In the Technology and Public Policy Program, I researched cybersecurity, cyberwarfare and Internet freedoms.
How did your interest in the internship develop?
After representing Elon at a Model United Nations Society Conference at West Point, I became interested in international cyber issues and as an Honors Fellow, I decided that I wanted to research the topic more for my Honor’s Thesis. During research, I found CSIS’s research and contacted them about my interest and experience in political science, international policy review, social media, and internet technologies.
What did you learn from the experience?
Over the summer, I learned that opportunities rarely appear in front of you without any effort put into finding them. I found this internship because I personally contacted a member of the program in which I was interested, and I didn’t just settle with the normal internship application. Connections are key for getting amazing internships and opportunities, but you need to show them that YOU have something to contribute.
Who did you work with in Career Services to prepare for your internship, and what help did you receive?
I worked with Pam Brumbaugh to prepare my résumé for all of my applications.
How do you plan on using Career Services in the future?
I plan to use Career Services to find as many connections as possible in government and private organizations. I also plan on using Career Services to perfect my writing sample and résumé.
What recommendations would you share with other students about Career Services?
Take advantage of open office hours, and always send your Career Services advisor an email if you have a concern.
Have a career or internship story you’d like to share? Contact Eric Townsend in the Office of University Relations at etownsend4@elon.edu.