Internship Opportunities

•  Our interns gain a better understanding of U.S. diplomacy, the inner workings of the U.S. Department of State, and the realities of Foreign Service life.  They also gain valuable contacts and work experience.

•  Through special arrangements with academic institutions, the majority of our interns receive college credit and a modest stipend for their work.

•Interns work on a wide variety of projects.  In addition to contributing to a wide range of projects as part of oral history, Century of Service, emerging technologies, and legislative affairs teams, interns have helped edit book manuscripts, contributed to our Country Reader and Subject Reader series, helped design and maintain our website, expanded our use of social media, helped organize Washington outreach through book launches and other formal events, and conducted independent research.

•  Interns have the possibility to interact with with the U.S. Department of State personnel representing multiple career tracks in both the Foreign and Civil Service, both through projects and ADST’s leadership professional development program. Interns may also sit in on our interviews with retired Foreign Service Officers and ambassadors and have the opportunity to speak candidly with them.

•  ADST is an independent, non-profit organization located at the George Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) campus in Arlington, Virginia.

We accept interns during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Special appointments during academic recesses may also be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents. Applications are evaluated upon submission. 

If you are seriously interested in this internship, you should apply well before the deadline. Although the positions are unpaid, we do offer a modest stipend to help cover transportation costs.

Deadlines for applications are:
Spring – November 30
Summer – March 30
Fall – July 30

Early applications are strongly encouraged. We review candidates on a rolling basis, and the application window may close early if the positions are filled. 

To apply for an internship with The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, please email us at [email protected] with the following:

1. 2-page writing sample/excerpt from your larger research paper, memo, etc. 
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter
   • In your cover letter, make sure you address the following questions:
   • Why are you interested in the ADST internship, and what skills will you be bringing to the team? 
   • What areas of ADST’s work are you interested in, and why? Please be specific. 
   • What do you hope to gain from this internship? 
4. A copy of your unofficial or official transcript