NATO internship: good ideas can make a difference
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization introduced its Internship Programme in 2004. The Programme recruits a small number of current or recent students to work within the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
Emil Voica, 22, became interested in a NATO internship after coming across a NATO Public Diplomacy poster in his home country of Romania that advertised the Programme. Having earned a degree in business administration, Emil wanted to understand management methods in NATO Headquarters.
“I’ve definitely enjoyed the internship so far,” he said. “I have a lot of interesting projects going on, and the experience will enable me to understand how people interact in an organization that is responding to global changes.”
Older Allies are also well represented among interns. Sven Kragting, 26, is a native of the Netherlands. Currently a Master’s degree candidate in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam, Sven postponed his studies to perform an internship at the NATO Situation Centre. His work includes assisting with research on NATO operations.
“It gives you an inside view of an international organization,” Sven says of his internship. “NATO is at an interesting junction. What sort of role do you want to give to NATO? How will the Allies give new impetus to their future?”
Usually, interns find positions outside of NATO following the completion of internship. But there are those who continue their relationship with the Alliance.
Formerly an intern in the Public Diplomacy Division, Dr Antje Knorr is now temporarily acting as Information Officer. Among other responsibilities, she coordinated the NATO Youth Forum, a conference of 300 students held on the margins of the 60th anniversary Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl.
During her internship, Antje suggested the creation of the NATO Afghan Students Forum, now a continuing yearly event. “You can really do something as an intern here, if you have good ideas,” she said.
Internships at NATO usually run for 6 months. The current Call for Applications is open until 6 June 2009 and covers positions beginning in either March or September 2010. Applications must include a CV, a letter of motivation and a completed application form that can be found at our website.