General Internship Program

Just Announced

Program Purpose

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies offers an internship program for promising students who are interested in providing solutions to today's security challenges and understanding upcoming conflicts, thereby actively participating in the campaign towards a peaceful future.

This stimulating program features an opportunity for growth and applied learning in the nation’s capital. Interns develop an important skill set that will undoubtedly empower them in their future careers. Moreover, interns participate in peace- and security-building projects of national and international significance. Our interns are paired with dedicated professionals working to advance defense and security issues through innovative and strategic thinking.

Interns actively contribute to ongoing research agendas and may have opportunities to craft their own projects in line with the Center's mission. Interns write pieces for our web resource, the Global Security Monitor on relevant security issues on a day-to-day basis, attend conferences and events at other think tanks and policy institutes of relevance to their focus areas, and offer research support for the Center’s quarterly journal, Defense Concepts. Often, interns attend informal lectures at the Center from CADS Fellows on their work and area of expertise. Through this experience, students will acquire hands-on research experience and insight into future career opportunities.

To apply, students should send a resume, a short cover letter including specific information on a regional or disciplinary area of interest and a short (3-4 page) writing sample from a university class or seminar (ideally related to their area of interest).

The Center gives preference to candidates with prior research experience. This position also provides opportunities to contribute to the Center's publications.

Before Applying

While all CADS internships under the general program are unpaid, they can be used for academic credit pending approval from the student intern's academic institution. Accepted applicants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before beginning their internship. Applicants who do not sign the non-disclosure agreement will not be accepted. The Center currently does not accept applicants from outside the United States.

Application Deadlines

The Center accepts interns on a rolling basis. However, in order to provide the best experience for all interns at the Center, the number of interns at any given time is limited. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

Please e-mail the application materials to internships@c4ads.org or mail the application materials to:

   Center for Advanced Defense Studies
   Internship Program
   10 G St. NE, Suite 610
   Washington DC 20002

The Center will not accept incomplete applications. Please mail application materials in their entirety.

Interviews

The Center will schedule interviews with qualified candidates. CADS will conduct interviews through an in-person office visit or by phone, for applicants residing outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Notification

The Center's internship committee will only notify accepted applicants of its decision via phone and/or email.

Program Orientation

CADS will provide an orientation session upon the commencement of each internship program. During this session, interns will meet their supervisors. The Center will also outline projects and discuss and distribute work plans.

Over the course of the program, the Center will conduct weekly progress reviews. Towards the end of the program, interns must prepare final presentations and reports for submission. Distinguished projects will receive certificates of recognition.