Adam Sherinian, global affairs major
Where is your summer internship and what is your title?
I am an intern at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
How did you find your internship?
I found my internship through a program with the Armenian Assembly of America that helps Armenian-American students find internship placements in Armenia to gain more experience in my respective field. Since my major is in global affairs, and I have previous internship experience working with government and foreign policy, I was placed into the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lots of programs like this one are available for students of all different backgrounds, and since I am of Armenian descent I thought I would try this one out!
What are your main responsibilities on the job?
- Conduct research on political developments in Latin America and North America
- Meet with and entertain members of foreign delegations to the Republic of Armenia
What do you enjoy the most about your summer internship?
I love being in Armenia and being able to conduct business in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Armenian!
What is the most valuable lesson you learned as an intern?
The most valuable lesson I have learned as an intern is to advocate for myself and be proactive. The internship culture in Armenia encourages me to be more self-motivated and to actively ask for work. Since I've had prior internship experience and a strong academic background in the field of my internship, I have used that to ask to work on projects and events that build on my previous experience, and therefore I have had an enriching experience where I am busy and fulfilled.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your internship experience?
I would tell other CHSS students to be proactive about everything in their internships. Ask for more responsibilities (if you can handle it), request feedback, and initiate contact and connect with interesting people both inside your workplace and out - not just your superiors and direct colleagues. I've gotten the most out of this internship and out of past internships by doing this, and it's a great way to learn more and to build a more robust foundation for your future career.
July 08, 2024