NATO internships open doors for future peace and security professionals
Have you ever wanted to know how the Alliance works from the inside? On 6 April, NATO began taking internship applications for 2011. Young graduates and research students from a wide range of academic disciplines are invited to apply by 4 June 2010.
Opportunities can be found in various areas, such as political science, international relations, IT, media, finance and human resources.
Martin Janku from the Czech Republic was an intern in NATO’s Terrorist Threat Intelligence Unit from December 2009 to March 2010. “I was encouraged to present my ideas and take initiative,” he said. “What I really appreciated was the possibility of taking a proactive approach, to take a new direction or establish a new research project.” He also had the chance to participate in a crisis management exercise.
Various opportunities
There is a broad range of possible thematic orientations: Former students of graphic design, library science, journalism, law enforcement, 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.
Ina Kranjcevic, a young Croatian who studied English, Spanish and Economics, began an internship with NATO’s Executive Management Division in March. She wrote her masters thesis at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium on transatlantic relations and NATO’s enlargement when her country was on its way to joining the Alliance.
“I am definitely glad that I came here,” she says. “It’s great to work in such a multicultural environment, communicate in several foreign languages and be able to listen to some important meetings.”
Although Ina owes the Croatian Government another year and a half of service for a scholarship she received, her long-term wish is to work for an international organization like NATO. Her internship experience will surely help her to achieve her goal.
To apply or learn more, visit the NATO Internship Programme page (www.nato.int/structur/interns/index.html).