CHSS Connection Episode 12: Becoming a Government Worker

EMMA: 
Hello! Welcome to CHSS Connection, a podcast where we interview different students about all things CHSS, from academics to careers to everything in between. This is a student success podcast for CHSS students by CHSS students. However, if you're not a CHSS student, welcome! 
We're so glad you're here.  
 
I'm Emma Howard.  
 
CADIE: 
I'm Cadie Junker. 
  
BOTH: 
And we're your hosts.  
 
CADIE: 
In this episode, we're discussing internships and how to get them specifically for all you Global Affairs folks listening to this. And of course, we could not do this alone. 
  
So today, we are joined by a junior slash senior kind of in between in the Global Affairs program, somebody who has pretty extensive experience in Global Affairs, who can speak to how to get an internship. And also, we're just so happy to have her here. Welcome to the podcast, Eva Trump. 
  
Eva, how are you doing today?  
 
EVA: 
You know what, guys? I'm great. Thank you for having me.  
 
CADIE: 
Thank you for being here. 
  
So, I think we're going to get into our first act of the interview. This will be a little bit more general questions.  
 
You want to take it away, Emma. 
  
EMMA: 
So, Eva, can you tell us a little bit about your internship?  
 
EVA: 
From what little I can say, it is with Department of Homeland Security. It's a student volunteer position. So even though I did get a stipend from George Mason, if you want to continue with the internship, if they invite you back, it is unpaid. 
  
But I just do research for them. The best way to describe it, whatever topic that they need. And I really get to explore the different avenues that Department of Homeland Security has. 
  
CADIE: 
Amazing.  
 
And kind of on that note, because I know that this is one of your career goals. Why did you choose to go into Global Affairs, to major in Global Affairs for this specific career goal?  
 
EVA: 
Yeah. 
  
When I was a Police Cadet in my hometown, I was talking to police officers and different federal agents about what I wanted to do in school, and I actually wanted to go into Crim really badly. But a lot of them were telling me that even though it's really cool that you want to go into Crim and you want to do something in law enforcement or criminal analysis, it's really important to have a different and diverse background, because if you go into Criminology and you don't want to stick with Criminology, you're really stuck with just that education. So going into Global Affairs gives you an array of different experiences, different knowledge bases around the world, especially if you want to get into a government job or become an analyst. 
  
It's really important to know what is happening in our world and how people move throughout our world. So, I really was looking into the major and the different concentrations, and I really liked the human security aspect of it. So, I was like, this is something I want to do, not just because of how it opens up different avenues for different jobs, but also it's something that really interested me because I've always wanted to study abroad and maybe work abroad as well. 
  
EVA: 
It sounds like your internship is really providing for you what you were looking for in aligning with your interests about why you chose Global Affairs. With that said, what was the first step to finding your internship?  
EVA: 
So, it was a not a long process, but I was denied by several other federal internships before I found this one. This one I actually applied for just on a whim because I was a bit I felt a bit down in the gutters because I wasn't getting any of my other internships. 
  
So, when I applied, I found it on LinkedIn. Actually, a friend sent it to me, my suite mate Noah, and I applied. It was just a cover letter, and then your resume, and a couple of references. 
  
And then a month later, I got a call back saying they really liked my application. And then a couple of weeks later, I got my interview.  
 
CADIE: 
Amazing. 
  
What materials did you need to apply with? Resume, cover letter, etc. Yeah, did you have to apply with those? Were there extra materials that you needed to apply with? If you could talk a little bit about those, and specifically what your experience was like to like providing those for your employer.  
 
EVA: 
Yeah, so I already had a resume made for all my other internships. 
  
But what was really important was just configuring my resume to fit in with that job title. And also my cover letter, I do have like a, not like a formula, maybe like a way to build a cover letter to go into what type of job I want to go into. So, the cover letter was only one page. 
  
They only wanted a one-page resume. Reference page, they only needed three references. So I asked my police sergeant, my research professor because my research was one of the main contenders of why I wanted to go in the job and was one of the reasons why I got hired. 
  
So I used him, Dr. Winsler, and then I also used my counselor because they need to know how well my academic standing was in school.  
 
EMMA: 
I think it's really smart that you, one, already had a resume drafted and ready to go, as well as just having what sounds like a cover letter template. And I think it really served you well. 
 And I think that would be a good thing for listeners applying to any job to have in their back pocket.  
So you submitted the materials that were requested. As much as you can, can you tell us a bit about what the interview process was like for you?  
EVA: 
So, the interview process, usually with government jobs, they want you to come in person. 
  
But if that's not viable, like I was overseas, I did mine through Zoom. The interview was only 30 minutes. It was with a panel of officers that asked three questions. 
  
And the questions I thought were going to be more about the job itself, but it was actually about my character, how I work through hard situations, if there's any times I really had to defend my opinion, and any leadership roles that I had to take to make sure a group is working sufficiently for their job.  
 
EMMA: 
I personally, when you were mentioning that you had a panel of officers in your interview, I could not imagine how, because I'm just a naturally anxious person. I think that going into an interview like that, that would definitely spike my nerves a little bit. But clearly, you handled yourself very well.  
 
EVA: 
Trust me, it was scary, but my panel was all female officers. So, it was really cool to see, and I was surprised, and they were very, very respectful. 
  
EMMA: 
I think it speaks a lot to how the presence of women in the workplace is a very necessary thing, because it sounds like that was a very calming factor during your interview.  
 
EVA: 
Yes.  
 
With the government, and especially where I work now, it's a very male-dominated field.  
So, seeing that women were interviewing me, and then, even though it was like maybe the only three women that work at my office, it was just really nice to meet them and already have that connection when I go into the workforce.  
 
CADIE: 
Kind of speaking on your interview and interview experience, do you have any tips about how to go into an interview?  
 
Because I know, when you were talking to me about this job positioning, back before you knew that you got it, you really wanted this position. So what advice would you give for other people who are going into an interview for a job that they might really want? What can they do to prepare themselves and set themselves up for success?  
 
EVA: 
That's a really good question, because I prepared for my interview by researching the job, which you should always research extensively about the job before you have the interview. 
  
And then I didn't even get questions about the job. So when you're at the end of the interview, and they're like, do you have any questions for me? That's when you start asking questions about the job and really showing your interest.  
 
I will say, I'm a big fake it till you make it person. I really had to fake my confidence. I was so nervous. I had to fake my confidence in myself. 
  
And you really just have to believe in yourself and present yourself in a way where you're like, you need me at this job. You should have me at this job. But still be respectful and showing your gratitude, showing you're thankful that you have the interview. 
  
And honestly, just write down some really key qualities about yourself that they will like. Because sometimes in the moment you get anxious, you forget about all the amazing stuff that you've done to work up to get to this point of the interview. So make sure to write it down and have it as a reminder when you are being interviewed. 
  
EMMA: 
I think those are all really great tips that can really serve anyone in any field really well, no matter what career they're going into.  
 
So, after your interview, what was, and you did allude to this earlier, but after your interview, what was the next step in the process of getting hired?  
 
EVA: 
So yeah, after the interview, you had to wait a couple weeks for, they usually give you a phone call or I got an email from the center, DHS Center of Excellence. And they just say, “Hey, you're conditionally hired now. Here's the steps to start when your background starts.”  
 
I will say the group of girls that were hired for this internship, we were kind of like the guinea pigs because this was their first actual connection with George Mason. So, the process was halted for a bit. We were supposed to start our backgrounds, I mean, February, but then we started late May. So even though it was supposed to be a summer internship.  
 
So, the background process is long. The documents, it's a long, it's a big packet. It goes seven years back into your life, all the people you've lived with, your education. They're really strict about what, where you've been when you go abroad. 
  
Like I've been to the Czech Republic almost every year visiting my family. They wanted to know every instance, people I've talked to, my family members, like they made it a really big deal, which it is because they're fearful that any malicious groups would come and try to talk to you as an American about whatever they're trying to do.  
 
So very extensive background, even though it was just a public trust position, it wasn't even security clearance. So that took a lot of time.  
 
And then going straight into the background investigation, you have to have an interview with your background investigator. And mine lasted three hours because of all the times I went abroad for my family. 
  
And then after that, you start the actual background where they start investigating everything about your life. So, all the people that you put down in your contacts, make sure to text them and say, “Hey, you're going to have a phone call. Please expect it. Please answer it because it's not only going to slow down my process if you ignore it, but it just doesn't show that you have reliable people in your life to answer questions for yourself.”  
 
So that took another three weeks, where I was constantly calling people, being like, “Hey, did you talk to my background investigator yet? Hey, make sure she's going to ask all these crazy questions about my loyalty to the United States.”  
 
And just expect if you don't know anything about me, just say you don't know. Don't even try to make anything up for me. Just be 100 percent honest because all they're looking for is something bad or something that would not want them to accept me into this position and give me access to government products.  
 
CADIE: 
You've already touched on this a little bit, but I want to go even further and even deeper in that. What can you tell us? What general information you needed to provide during the background check process? Because I'm sure that getting a job where you need to go through a background check process isn't unique for Global Affairs majors. So, for anybody who's listening who might want to also go into this field, what can they expect?  
 
EVA: 
So, for the public trust background packet, I had to put in who my neighbors were, all the places that I lived and then those neighbors of those places that I lived. I also had to put my education in. 
  
It was seven years worth. And then I had to put any close contacts that could show my character. So close friends, family members, and also all the places that I went abroad, which was a lot and every place. All the times you went, how long you went. So when I was in Spain, I actually had to put that as my residence because I lived there for more than 90 days.  
 
CADIE: 
Right. 
  
EVA: 
And then also whatever crimes you have done or haven't done. Have you ever been approached by a terrorist organization or an organization against the United States government? All foreign. And then if you have any other additional information to provide at the end of the document, they want you to do so. 
  
And it's all you fill it out all electronically.  
 
CADIE: 
Amazing.  
 
EMMA: 
Well, you really already answered this question of how long did the background check process take? I imagine the the waiting of it all must have felt like it took forever. 
  
EVA: 
Yes.  
 
So, me and a couple other girls that I do the internship with, we felt like sitting ducks because you submit one packet, you wait a month, then you do one interview, and then you wait another month. And then actually, when I got hired and was able to actually go in the office and work, it was only my provisional background. It wasn't even my full background.  
 
So I wasn't able to access certain government tools until my full background cleared, which was two weeks ago. And I've been working there since mid-August. Sorry, mid-July. But I didn't really start working there like mid-August.  
 
EMMA: 
For context, we are recording this in on November 11th. 
  
CADIE: 
So that's November 11th, 2025.  
 
EVA: 
So around five, it usually it takes five or six months. So I told my dad, and my dad works for the federal government, and I told him, “Hey, they're starting my background now in May, and it's supposed to be a summer internship.” 
  
And he just looks at me and shakes his head because that's just not how backgrounds work. They take a lot of time, even if it's just a public trust position.  
 
CADIE: 
Yeah. 
  
Now, you and I were in Spain together while you were undergoing this process, and you already said a lot about this. So I feel kind of silly asking you this question. But how did being abroad affect the process of interviewing and background check even more than just needing to provide a lot of that information?  
 
EVA: 
Yeah. 
  
First of all, when I was in my interview, and they said that they couldn't believe they were interviewing me from Spain, I think that gave me a little bit of an edge because they were like, wow, this girl's abroad, and she's interviewing for a government position.  
 
And then when I got hired, and I came to the office, everyone knew me as the girl that they interviewed in Spain, which was kind of funny. But the cons were my phone number was off in Spain. I did not have any service. So by luck, I turned on my phone number, and I saw I got a call from them, from my Department of Homeland Security. So, I just got really lucky that I turned on my phone number because if I didn't, I wouldn't have gotten the call. 
  
They didn't email at all. It was just straight phone calls. I was like, “Hey, guys, to reach me, it's best if you do email.” And they didn't do that.  
So thankfully, I turned on my phone for all of February, even though it did cost money.  
 
But also, during my interview process overseas, they could not see my face. They weren't allowed to see my face overseas. So I thought I actually, even though they were super excited that they were interviewing me overseas, they couldn't even see what I looked like. So I got to see what they looked like, though, which was still pretty scary. 
  
But-. Go ahead.  
 
CADIE: 
Can I ask why weren't they allowed to see your face? 
 
EVA: 
They have this rule. I remember during my background packet and background investigation, they weren't allowed to call anyone outside the United States. 
  
So I kind of put two and two together. I was like, maybe they weren't allowed to see anything foreign, or it was just maybe the government Zoom was strict. And I don't know, but we tried multiple times to reset the Zoom, and they just couldn't see my face. 
  
And they just assumed it's because I was overseas. But they're very strict about phone calls overseas.  
 
CADIE: 
Interesting. 
  
EMMA: 
Well, I will say, from my understanding, what you were saying about the restrictions on them calling overseas, I think that speaks a lot to how promising of a candidate you were on paper and the fact that they were willing to do that.  
 
Which resources have you used to get your internship?  
 
EVA: 
I will say being in the Honors College is definitely a pro because you get thrown straight into research experience. As Cadie would know, we took a Honors 110 course our first semester here, and they were like, OK, write a really long literature review and research proposal, but pick any topic you want. 
  
And I was like, OK, I've done my research before. I was a police cadet. I can do something that goes with Global Affairs but also goes with criminology. 
  
And I did my research paper on the Mexican-U.S. smuggling trade. And I wrote this long literature review about it, about the interplay between different groups. And I really utilized that paper and that research experiences and the sources that I have to give myself a leg up when it comes to the job that I applied for, because that's something, among other things, that they really look into in that department. 
  
CADIE: 
Yeah, for sure. That sounds absolutely fantastic. And with that, that's the end of Act 1. So now we're going to move into our bulletin board, where we're going to hear from career correspondent Rachel Lindsey and so much more. 
  
CADIE: 
Don't skip this. This isn't an ad break.  
 
EMMA: 
This is the bulletin board. 
  
In every episode, this is where we will announce upcoming events and opportunities in CHSS, hear from correspondents, and give shout outs to the resources that make this podcast possible.  
 
RACHEL: 
Hi, my name is Rachel Lindsey, Assistant Director for Career Education at University Career Services. I'm also a two-time CHSS alum, and you can reach me at r-l-i-n-d-s-e-y at gmu.edu.  
 
University Career Services is located in Sub 1, Suite 3400. That's directly above Student Health Services, and our office hours are 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. We also offer virtual advertising, advising, 7 to 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. University Career Services at George Mason University provides a broad range of resources to help students build skills, explore careers, connect with employers, and succeed after graduation. 
  
Some of the most important services we offer include general career support and advising. So things like career advising appointments to discuss your goals, explore possible career paths, or get help with internships and job searches. Document reviews, where peers and advisors can give feedback on resumes, cover letters, and professional materials. 
  
Major and career exploration assistance to help you understand options related to your interests and strengths. We also offer job and internship support. So things like Handshake job and internship platforms with listings tailored to you, Mason students. 
  
We also offer career fairs and on-campus interviewing with employers from a range of industries. And we help set up networking and employer events that connect you with alumni and professionals. We also offer things like a career readiness guide and industry-specific career resources on our website. 
  
We have virtual appointments and drop-in hours to support both in-person and online students. And tools like CareerShift and LinkedIn Learning for job searching and skill building.  
  
For Global Affairs majors, Career Services is especially helpful in navigating international and policy careers. So we offer career advising on international career paths, including diplomacy, working with NGOs, policy research, global development, and general strategies for working abroad and developing careers abroad. We also have access to curated career links like USAJOBS, Intelligence.gov, Idealist, DevEx, and international job boards. 
  
We can provide support with finding internships in international organizations, government agencies, and global nonprofits. And networking opportunities connecting you to alumni or employers engaged in Global Affairs roles. And the pro tip here is Global Affairs students often pair Career Services advising with targeted industry events like nonprofit career fairs or global policy panels to expand their connections. 
  
One of the really important things to do is make sure you have some kind of foreign language skills. It might be a critical language, but not necessarily, but absolutely demonstrated capacity in a foreign language. Ideally, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to interact well with people from lots of different cultures and diverse backgrounds. 
  
And that might come from something like study abroad, but it also comes from general work practices, the kinds of experiences and opportunities you're seeking out. But being able to demonstrate that you can go into a new space and potentially a different culture or even a different country and engage respectfully and productively and all of that is really important. I think it is true for students in all majors. 
  
Experience is a huge piece of this, right? Having relevant experiences, whether they are relevant research opportunities, relevant internships, your coursework is so important, and it's the foundation of what you know. But what makes you competitive for opportunities is also being able to show what you can do. And that comes from the experiences. 
  
So continuing to build relationships, continuing to engage with faculty, with organizations in the area. And I think, too, taking advantage of the fact that you are geographically positioned to be engaged with all sorts of international populations, international organizations. It's easier to make a compelling argument that this is your area of interest or passion or commitment when you have a demonstrated record of it, as opposed to it being something you'll get around to when you get the job. 
  
So the only way to actually get security clearance is through the role, right? 
 
So you get the preliminary offer, and the organization that has made the offer will then start that process, but it is a long and complicated process. And so the best thing that we have been able to offer is our Clearance Ready program. And that is actually a nationally recognized best practice program. 
  
It's pretty unique, but we offer a series of workshops and connections with employers from federal agencies where students can learn about the different things they need to do to be ready for the process, and where possible, start doing that. And again, you can't initiate a clearance process. But you can do things like start keeping documentation of the places you've lived and maintaining contact information for the people you've lived with, so that when it's time to start filling out those forms, you have those records easily available. 
  
We have also some ideas, some suggestions we make for all students in all majors. I think this is especially true the closer you get to an active job or internship search. When you want to be ready to move forward at any minute, you want to create and regularly update your Handshake profile, so that you're receiving tailored job and internship matches, and so that you're ready to apply when something shows up that is interesting. 
  
You want to attend career fairs and workshops early and often, not just in your final year. And part of that is so that you are building relationships and building connections. And part of it is so you can get comfortable and familiar with what that looks like and feels like before the stakes are high, right? Things like career fairs can be very overwhelming. 
  
And so what we hate to see is the first time someone has gone to a fair is the last semester of their senior year, and it feels really overwhelming, and it's just too much, and they feel like they didn't know what to do, and then they feel like they missed the opportunity. So go early, go often, get comfortable, aim to learn one new thing from at least one new employer, and then when the stakes are high, when you know you need to get that internship, when you know it's time to get job offers, it's not so scary and brand new.  
 
And then as far as meeting with us in Career Services, to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting, use Patriot Connect. And if you're unable to schedule an appointment through Patriot Connect, call University Career Services at 703-993-2370 for assistance.  
 
CADIE: 
And we are back. Welcome to Act Two. And in this act, we're going to get into a little bit deeper reflection.  
 
And to start out with this, when we're on the topic of careers and internships, Eva, what is your dream job? If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?  
 
EVA: 
Oh my gosh, that is so hard. But one thing I really want to do is possibly work at an embassy abroad, maybe be a liaison for an agency. 
  
That's something that I've wanted to do for a really long time. And any country is fine. Like I just want to live abroad and experience a new culture while also helping my government and my country out as well. 
  
CADIE: 
Yeah. And how did you know that that was something you wanted to do? How did you figure it out?  
 
EVA: 
Another really good question. So one thing that I really appreciate is that I have.... My mom's from the Czech Republic. 
  
So I've been able to go abroad a lot as a kid because my dad was able to always get free miles with our credit card. And then also my dad's a federal officer and he's like, “Hey, Eva, you like to go and travel a lot. There's so many cool liaison positions and different agencies like Customs and Border Protection or FBI or DEA.” 
  
And he was like, “If you don't want to be an officer, but you can still technically be an officer, but abroad doing more analyst work and engaging with different police departments overseas in different communities overseas, that's something you can do.” And I might even end up back in my mom's home country, the Czech Republic.  
 
CADIE: 
Yeah. No, that's super cool.  
 
And one last question and this little trifecta that I have for you, what steps do you want to take or are taking right now to eventually get that dream job or at least have that avenue open to get that dream job?  
 
EVA: 
I will say liaison positions are really, really competitive. You have to have some tenure. 
  
So it's definitely something that I will have to achieve when I have a lot of experience and maybe I'm older. Maybe when I even have a family. So definitely with this internship, I'm really just trying to digest as much information that I get.  
 
With this internship, you work with so many different people from different places. So you really learn what avenues you want to take and what it what you have to do to get to it. I met when I was in Spain, the CBP liaison for in the Spanish embassy. 
  
Well, it was the American embassy in Madrid.  
 
CADIE: 
Yeah.  
 
EVA: 
But and he was like, “This is one of the coolest things I've ever done. I got to move my whole family to Madrid and really live that slow paced lifestyle while also working and getting a salary from the US government.”  
 
But he told me it was very competitive. And so it's just something you really have to advocate for yourself and really have to find a career path to find a way to make it wherever you want to go. 
  
I mean, it always takes hard work and advocation for yourself, but also passion. People really want to see that you want to do it. And you really have to show people that you deserve it as well. 
  
EMMA: 
That's really incredible to hear. I want to come back a little bit to your experience in applying for the internship and applying for other internships. And I'd love to hear from you. 
  
How do you balance a paid job that may not be in your career field versus a stipend internship that is?  
 
EVA: 
That's a good question. Um, I would say I rather, although I, I will probably be finding myself working two jobs a semester, because even though I get the experience that I've always wanted through this unpaid internship, it is really, really hard to continuously go to the office and then know that all your work, all the work you're doing, although you're getting the experience like you're a college student, you need to get paid, you need money, you need to start saving, especially if you want to go and get a master's, I really would say like, if you could find a part-time, even unpaid of a field that you want to go in, just do it.  
 
I would just say, spend the extra time, that's what I'm going to be doing next semester, I'm going to find a paid job somewhere else, maybe a restaurant, something simple just so I can have the income. But also be able to have that income to continue pursuing my dreams with my unpaid internship is the best way I can explain it. 
 
EMMA: 
 As you get further along in your academic career and going into your professional life, how do you know which one to prioritize? I will say, though, at the end of your last response, it sounds like you're starting to figure out a nice balance or you have a plan to. 
  
EVA: 
I mean, I'm very fortunate that I did get that stipend over the summer. I've been really budgeting off of that. And then on top of that, the support from my parents, I can't thank them enough. 
  
I mean, even though they're pretty strict with what they give and what they don't give, you learn how to budget. And I would say, especially if you see an opportunity to get hired, which it's looking like that for not just me, but the other interns that I work with, there's a path to get hired by them when I graduate next December. I would just say keep at it, even if it's unpaid, because you can't take away time and experience. 
  
That's something that's so valuable. I would say even more valuable than money.  
 
CADIE: 
Yeah. 
  
I mean, like in my experience as well, it's always hard to kind of know what to prioritize and more specifically when to prioritize. Like at what point in your career do you start being like, “No, I need to get paid for this stuff.”  
 
And so I just I really appreciate your insight as somebody who has worked in the field where you're getting paid, has worked in the field when you're doing a stipend and then has worked with a volunteer position as well, kind of to pivot just a little bit. 
  
Well, actually quite a bit. But how has your time here at George Mason influenced your overall career goals?  
 
EVA: 
Oh, my gosh. Again, I keep saying that's a good question, but it really is. 
  
I, I love it here at Mason. I say the community here, especially with the Honors College and with CHSS, there's a new Global Affairs Club promo without them even telling me promo, but next...  
CADIE: 
Wait, we'll throw it in the bulletin board section of this episode.  
 
EVA: 
Because next fall, I believe they're making a club, even though it's my last semester. 
  
I'm really excited. And the GLOA counselors, the GLOA professors, they're all amazing and they really, really care about what they're doing here. And a lot of the classes that I'm required to take for my major, I'm glad they're required. 
  
It's so necessary to understand conflict resolution for any job. But I learned about global conflict resolution, human security, how global dialogue works, how the different dimensions of globalization really affect what is happening now, especially with the United States influence. That's something that's really important, especially if you want to work in the government, how much of an influence that the United States has on so many different factors in the globe. 
  
I mean, the movement of people is important to understand. I mean, global affairs, the major itself is so diverse and it's so rich in knowledge. I can't even, I can't even like, I'm so glad I picked this major. 
  
I just, it's been a great time. I've only been here for a year and a half now because I am graduating early and I'm going to miss it. I'm going to miss it next year. I'm going to miss the classes I take. I'm going to miss the teachers. I'm going to miss the community, even though it's small. 
  
But it has, it's deeply influenced what I want to do in a career and it's definitely influenced just the way I think about the globe now.  
 
CADIE: 
To piggyback off of that, how has being near DC and the opportunities that you found within NOVA in this area also influenced and sort of shift your more recent career goals or things that now, you know, you may have thought they're 10 years down the line. Are they now five years down the line for you or even sooner or not? You know, like how has being in this area shifted those career goals?  
 
EVA: 
So I actually picked George Mason. 
  
One of the main reasons was because of the area. NOVA and DC are filled with government positions, filled with government agencies, filled with different contracting, different political stuff, different state departments right in DC. I mean, this is the place to go if you really want to go and get into the government. 
  
I talked to several agents, including my father, and he was telling me that everyone has done a tour in NOVA. Every federal officer that he's ever met has done something in NOVA. And it's just a great place, great community, so much culture and so much job opportunities. 
  
George Mason, I saw on a post on Instagram, is one of the, I think it is the number one university in Virginia with internship opportunities. And it's not just government. There's so many NGOs in DC. 
  
There's so many different programs in DC and in NOVA because it's such a, it's just such a rich area. It's great. This is a great school. 
  
CADIE: 
Yeah.  
 
EMMA: 
Coming back to how GMU has influenced your career goals, I want to ask, how have you been staying motivated to achieve those goals, especially as you near graduation?  
 
 
EVA: 
I don't know. I've always really enjoyed education. 
  
It's not just like a task for me. I really do enjoy going to classes. I really do enjoy the community here. 
  
And also just being able to see a pathway towards something I really do want to do is so motivating. I actually want to do more than what I'm doing now. I mean, I'm just constantly working towards my goal and seeing how my hard work has really turned into successes. 
  
And even though I made so many mistakes along the way, you really just have to pick yourself back up and keep going. I mean, this is a great school with great resources and a really good community. If you find the places that you want to go. 
  
I mean, yeah, I just I'm filled with great people that motivate me as well. And yeah, I just seeing that my pathway is right is always such a plus. So you just want to keep working towards it. 
  
CADIE: 
For sure. And speaking of this, of the pathway, how has this internship kind of changed your mindset when it comes to career goals, ambition, and that pathway?  
 
Because I would imagine, you know, it feels a lot scarier, a lot more unknown when you don't have an internship in your field versus when you do. And what doors has this opened for you and what opportunities has this given you?  
 
EVA: 
So you said perfectly feeling scared because you don't know what any of this stuff looks like. 
  
Oh, my gosh. I, I didn't even think I was able to get something like this. I... it was so scary because I came into school already being a second semester sophomore. 
  
Literally, my next semester last year was straight junior. So I was like, OK, I need to pick up the pace like I already need an internship. And it's technically my first year here. 
  
I was terrified when I was getting denied by four. I think I applied to like five different internships before I got this one. I mean, really being able to know that I can achieve getting something as important to me as this really just it boosts my confidence, but also humbles me because. 
  
The people that you meet at your internship are so intelligent and have so much experience, you're like, wow, I do not know a lot, but the fact that they accepted me here means that they know that I'm willing to grow and they see that I'm willing to do a lot to learn more and more about what I want to do in my career.  
 
CADIE: 
Yeah, and speaking of that experience, what experience has this internship given you?  
 
EVA: 
Such a great question. Oh, I don't even know what to say. 
  
I have met so many amazing people because the office I work for without giving too much information, it's just a cohort of just everybody, anyone you can think of. And the specific job that I do, I'm just surrounded by a bunch of nerds and I'm a nerd myself. So I've been really enjoying it. 
  
And one thing that they really prioritized is that don't belittle the interns. They want to accept new ideas. They want to accept new ways of doing things. 
  
That's the first thing they told us when we came in is like, you're not going to do our dirty work. We want you guys to come in, learn and actually teach us because a lot of the people that work in that office are older.  
 
They have tenure. They have seniority. They have so much knowledge. And what they really want to do with this program is bring in new knowledge from the new generation that is coming up in the workforce. 
  
And I never felt so accepted and also valued from just being an intern. Like I thought that it was just going to be brute work. And it still is difficult work, but it's fun work. 
  
It's tedious. You do a lot, but you are surrounded by very intelligent people. And I have learned so much from my experience. 
  
EMMA: 
Yeah, I have to say, I can't tell you how much this passion, the love and passion that you speak about this internship. It just really resonates with me as someone who also works in D.C. as an intern for scholarly programs for Folger's Shakespeare Library.  
 
Exactly what you're explaining. I see it because those those workplaces do exist. And this leads me into my next question of you talk about how incredible the workplace environment is. And I'm just wondering in your experience, this internship, what have you learned about creating or contributing to a workplace that you enjoy being in?  
 
EVA: 
It's all, I would say, about creating a very good relationship with your co-workers and also being really flexible. 
  
I'm that type of person, I'm very type A. I'm very control freakish. So I've had to work on a plethora of projects where I would like to do everything. 
  
But you really learn like, hey, these people, they know what they're talking about. The interns, they hire them for a reason. They know what they're talking about. 
  
Just really being able to sit down and listen is a big thing. Sitting down and listening to the experience and really learning and captivating it to make not only the work environment easier for you, but really build those relationships and those connections that will last you, I would say, a lifetime 
 
CADIE: 
 Yeah, we're kind of going around all over the place with these questions, but I do want to ask and talk about, you know, I think there is a lot of post-grad anxiety that people have. 
  
I know I experienced that for sure about, am I going to find a job in my career field? Am I even going to find an internship in my career field? And I think it's so amazing getting to interview people like you because it is an opportunity to reassure that you can get an internship. Like the job market is bad, but it isn't impossible. Like don't give up hope. 
  
And kind of on that note, how does working within your career field make you feel on a personal, deeper level?  
 
EVA: 
Yeah, it just gives me hope. Something that my parents always told me is expect the worst, but hope for the best. And I was definitely expecting the worst last winter when I was just not getting anything. 
  
I was like, I'm not going to graduate with a job. I'm going to have to move back home, be one of those bums. Like, and by the way, no one's a bum for moving back home. 
  
But that's just how my mindset was. I was like, so many people are doing all these amazing things.  
CADIE: 
No, continue, please. 
  
EVA: 
Sorry. And I just I was scared. And I will say like there's no guarantee I'm going to get hired, although it's been a great work experience. 
  
Like it is very competitive to get hired even as like a paid, leveled intern. So again, expect the worst, hope for the best. I'm just going to keep, keep showing up, keep showing my interest, keep working hard. 
  
And, you know, good things are going to come to you if you just keep going at it. One piece of advice that I've always received in my life is it's OK to do things scared because if you never do things scared, you're never going to do the things you really want. And it's OK to be uncomfortable as well, because sometimes life's not always going to be rainbows and sunshine like there's going to be really hard days. 
  
And I've had hard days at my internship, especially when I knew absolutely nothing. I was like, why? Why did they even hire me? Why am I even here? Like, I'm not smart enough for this. And trust me, you're going to learn really quickly what you need to do to really achieve what you want. 
  
So, yeah. 
 
CADIE: 
 Just what you said about like, oh, by the way, nobody's a bum for moving back home. But like, that's just how my mindset is. 
  
I think that's like so interesting because I definitely experienced that, too, where like everybody else in the world can do this and that won't make them like any lesser. But if I'm the one to do it, then now that's an issue.  
 
And I think when we are talking about things like moving back home or simply existing in the economy that we have right now, I think we really do need to have a space for those conversations and talking about how, yeah, sometimes, like it is OK to move back home for a little bit. 
  
I mean, I think if you're like thirty-five, don't have a job, not looking for a job, living in your parents house, like that might be a little bit different of a case. But if you're twenty-five, fresh out of college, trying to find your career and trying to make your way into the world, like I do think that there is merit to utilizing the resources that you have and utilizing the home that you have. Yeah. 
  
So I just I it's really interesting because there's a lot of global cultures where it's very normal to live at home and stay at home. And that's not really the case here in America.  
 
EVA: 
Yeah. 
  
We're very individualistic and we're very independent people. And sometimes it's to our own detriment.  
 
CADIE: 
So, yeah, just an interesting thought that I wanted to comment on. 
  
EVA: 
Yeah.  
 
EMMA: 
So this, my goodness, we're starting to close out. I can't believe how fast this has gone. 
  
But because it's just been so lovely talking to you.  
 
EVA: 
Thank you. 
 
EMMA: 
But on a philosophical note, what benefit has this internship added to your life?  
 
EVA: 
Philosophical note. I'm actually taking a philosophy class right now. Shout out Mr. Kimmerman. I would say, like, philosophically. 
 
EMMA: 
Sorry. It feels philosophical to me. You don't have to take that spin.  
 
EVA: 
No, philosophically, like, what would Plato say?  
 
CADIE: 
What would Plato say?  
 
EVA: 
Don't cave into your desires. No, I'm just kidding.  
 
No, I think it really this internship really showed me that I can achieve anything that I really set my desires to. I mean, it just shows and it shows me a world that I've always wanted to be in. 
  
And I just can't ask for anything else. Like even I have a lot of gratitude for the people who hired me, for the people who who have really helped me out in this internship. But I have a lot of gratitude to my parents as well for always being my biggest supporters and also my friends. 
  
My friends are also my biggest supporters. And just having amazing people surrounding you all the time really, really just it helps a lot. Like, it's good to hold yourself to high standards, as we say, like sometimes you think you're a bum, but also give yourself some grace as well. 
  
So I don't know. That's, that's the best way I can just-. I just, I'm just thankful. Thankful for my life. 
  
CADIE: 
Yeah. And what a lovely note to end this on.  
 
But before we close out, I want to ask you the final question that we ask all of our guests, and that is, do you have any advice for our listeners? 
 
EVA: 
 Advice that I have is plan, but also take it one day at a time. 
  
I think looking into the future is fun. It's fun to plan. It's fun to dream. 
  
But sometimes it gets so overwhelming because it certainly has for me. Let's say take it one step at a time and really just enjoy the people around you, I would say. But also work hard. 
  
You got this. Like everyone's got this. I know school's hard. 
  
I know getting internships is hard. I know keeping up familial and friend relationships is hard, but just one day at a time. And you got this. 
  
And don't do things afraid or do things afraid. It's OK to be uncomfortable, do things afraid.  
 
CADIE: 
Be afraid, but don't let that fear stop you.  
 
EMMA: 
Wonderful advice to close on. 
  
Well, thank you, Eva, for joining us. Is there anything that you would like to shout out or promote? Is there anywhere listeners can find you on social media or in CHSS? Would you like to share any postgrad plans you have prepared?  
 
EVA: 
You know what? Shout out Global Affairs Club. Shout out all the people at Global Affairs, all the professors, all the students, all the counselors and follow their Instagram page. 
  
Go Global Affairs.  
 
EMMA: 
Alright. 
 
Well, Eva, goodness, Eva, thank you once again for being here. Listeners, thank you so much for listening to this episode of CHSS Connection.  
 
CADIE: 
Hey, thank you for listening to this episode of CHSS Connection. This podcast is hosted and written by Emma Howard and Cadie Junker. 
  
Our audio engineer is Dennis Gabitov. Our supervisor is Eleana Velasco. This podcast is produced by George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Undergraduate Academic Affairs. 
  
Special thanks to the Mason Innovation Exchange for their recording studio. The podcast could not happen without them. This project was developed in collaboration with Career Services and the On Campus Internship Program. 
  
If you love the show and want to interact with more of our content, follow us on Instagram @CHSSPod or check out the CHSS website where there is an ongoing library of our episodes. You can also be a potential guest on our podcast.  
 
EMMA: 
If you enjoyed the show and would like to express your support, there are a few things you can do. You can leave a review wherever you are listening to this podcast. You can help by word of mouth, either by telling someone directly who might be interested in the show or posting about it on social media, tagging @CHSSPod. All these things help support the show and we appreciate anyone who has done it or will do so in the future. 
  
Again, thank you for tuning into this episode. We hope you will tune into the next episode, but until then, stay curious! 
 
CADIE: 
Stay creative!  
 
BOTH: 
And stay connected!