NATO internships open doors for future peace and security professionals

  • 13 Mar. 2015 -
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  • Last updated: 13 Mar. 2015 10:06

Have you ever wanted to know how the Alliance works from the inside? On 13 March, NATO began taking internship applications for 2016. Young graduates and research students from a wide range of academic disciplines are invited to apply by 14 April 2015.

As an international organisation, NATO is characterised by diversity.  It is comprised of people from different backgrounds, cultures, work styles, values and ways of thinking. This is reflected in the Organization’s internship programme, which offers opportunities in various areas, such as political science, international relations, IT, media, finance and human resources.

Alexios carried out his internship in the Logistics and Resources Division (IMS), Infrastructure and Finance Section after completing his Master's Degree in the Science of Leadership and Project Management.

"NATO's internship programme has been instrumental in garnering indispensable knowledge pertaining to working in a multinational and diverse environment, as well as giving me a plethora of opportunities that have allowed me to not only grow as an individual but also to acquire hands-on experience,” Alexios explains.

As an intern in the Planning Directorate of NATO’s Defence Policy and Planning Division, Ralitsa gained an understanding of the different stages of the defence planning process and witnessed firsthand how the Alliance’s civilian structure interacts with its military authorities.

Ralitsa says, “I was assigned tasks related to both the NATO defence planning process for Allies and the planning and review process for partners. I was also tasked to prepare defence-related briefing material for the NATO Secretary General’s external visits.”

She adds, “One of the most valuable aspects of my internship was the daily interactions with experienced defence planners. This significantly expanded my understanding of different service capabilities and the work of the armed forces in general.  I was also involved in defence-related work with Georgia and Ukraine, including staff visits to Tbilisi and Kyiv.  This gave me unique insights into NATO’s relationships with its partners.”

Various opportunities

There is a broad range of possible thematic orientations: former students of graphic design, library science, journalism, law enforcement, translation, aeronautics or engineering might also find a unique opportunity to gain international experience in peace and security. Knowledge of Russian or Arabic is especially welcome.

Although some interns stay on at NATO after the internship to complete ongoing assignments or to take up full-time employment, many move on to other international organisations.  Whatever their long-term ambitions, NATO interns will gain invaluable experience as they strive to achieve them.

To apply or learn more, visit the NATO Internship Programme page.