How an internship in D.C. prepared Kelcie Alba for a career in U.S.-Japan relations
The experience was made possible by the Boog Internship Fund
Kelcie Alba spent three months last summer in Washington D.C. working with the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC), where she was immersed in understanding the complexities of the relationship between the two countries. JUSFC is an independent U.S. federal agency that works to sustain relations between the United States and Japan, promoting activities, partnerships and exchanges that advance common interests.
Alba, a senior who is double majoring in Japanese studies and political science, hopes to pursue a career working with the State Department in U.S.-Japan relations.
“The internship opened my eyes to what kind of opportunities there are in the State Department,” Alba said. “At first I saw it as one dimensional, but within the State Department, there’s a creative aspect, there’s a financial aspect, everything that makes the department as a whole — but they’re still working toward a broader goal of foreign diplomacy.”
She worked on numerous projects, including writing policy memos and daily news briefs, preparing a case study on local and state government efforts to promote relations with Japan for the Japan Conference on Cultural & Educational Interchange (CULCON), promoting a creative artist fellowship program, and even helping recruit interns for the fall. The experience she gained was multifaceted and provided insight to what she could expect in the field.
“I definitely learned a lot. It made the career feel more realistic. I always kind of felt that government was unreachable — like they do all these magic things,” she said. “In reality, it’s a desk job. But they do important work, and I still find it interesting, even after hearing that it’s a lot of paperwork.”
Alba describes herself as a lifelong language learner with an interest in politics. She grew up watching Dora the Explorer and Ni Hao, Kai-Lan, and the news was always on in her home. An early interest in Japanese pop culture, specifically anime, has blossomed into a more robust interest in Japanese culture and its impact on the United States and the global economy.
Her experience at JUSFC also provided her with opportunities to network with and gain valuable insight from professionals in the field, including Japanese diplomats and people at the State Department. All of this — in addition to studying abroad in Japan twice, having received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the State Department — has prepared her well for pursuing her career aspirations.
But it wouldn’t have been possible without financial assistance. While the internship was paid, it did not cover the cost of living in D.C. Alba applied to six scholarships to make the temporary relocation from New York to D.C. feasible, and only heard back from two of them.
She received Boog Internship support, made possible by donors and offered through the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. Selected students, with at least sophomore standing, receive funding to defray costs associated with participating in an internship, such as housing and travel.
Alba also received donor support from the Fleishman Center’s Professional Development Fund to purchase professional clothing, which was vital for her success in a government position.
“The funding from Fleishman was what made it possible,” Alba said. “That’s just the reality. I don’t have the financial security that a lot of people do, but I’m not going to let that stop me. I’m still going to apply. To have been granted that opportunity from the donors and the Fleishman Career Center was a dream come true. I was very lucky to have that opportunity from them, and I’m very thankful.”