Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program
Information Session
Please join us for an information session about the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program at one of the following dates and times:
- Friday, November 20, 2009 at 3 p.m. in B9 Thaw Hall
- Monday, November 23, 2009 at 9 a.m. in B9 Thaw Hall
- Monday, November 30, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in B10 Thaw Hall
About the CEIP Junior Fellows Program
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. As one of the world’s leading think tanks specializing in international affairs, the Endowment conducts programs of research, discussion, publication and education. The Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Approximately 8-10 students will be hired to work at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC on a full-time basis for a period of one year.
Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working on Carnegie Endowment’s projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, Middle East political reform, trade and environment, economics, international security, international economics, South Asian politics, China-related issues, and Russian and Eurasian affairs. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists and government officials. One junior fellow is also assigned to work on communications/outreach initiatives.
Applications are accepted only from graduating college seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered who has started graduate studies. Applicants who have completed a significant amount of coursework in the following areas are encouraged to apply:
- International Affairs
- Political Science
- Economics
- History
- Russian, Chinese or Middle East studies or communications
Language and other skills may be required for certain assignments.
2010-2011 Projects
- Democracy/Rule of Law – Political Science background preferred.
- Middle East Studies – Native or near-native Arabic language skills essential.
- Nonproliferation
- South Asian Studies – Strong math skills required in addition to background in international affairs or political science.
- Energy and Climate Change - Quantitative skills required.
- Chinese Studies – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus.
- Russian/Eurasian Central Asian Studies – Excellent Russian language skills required.
- U.S. Role in the World
Application Process
All of the following must be submitted to Margaret Heely, B-4 Thaw Hall, no later than Friday, December 18, 2009:
- Completed application form (DOC)
- Essay (one page or less) on why the student would like to become a junior fellow
- Students should indicate their name on each page
- A one- to two-page résumé (including telephone number, address, extra-curricular activities, and work experience)
- Two recommendations, at least one of which should be from a professor of the student's major department
- Transcript of undergraduate records (transcript may be unofficial and unsealed)
- An essay of no more than three typewritten, double-spaced pages on the topic you are interested in researching as a Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. The essay is intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. The essays are to be thought pieces, not research papers.
ESSAY TOPICS
Applicants must respond to the question pertaining to the program to which they are applying.
- Democracy/Rule of Law Program. Given the sobering state of global democracy and the complex array of different U.S. interests abroad, the Obama administration should hew to a minimalist line on promoting democracy abroad. Agree or disagree?
- Middle East Program. Political reform in the Arab world is faltering. As a result should the Obama administration a) give up on attempts to promote democracy in the region or b) redouble efforts to promote reform and devise more effective democracy promotion strategies?
- Nonproliferation Program. By the year 2015 do you think there will be more than the current nine countries with nuclear weapons? If so, which ones, and why? If not, why are people who fear this wrong?
- Russia Program. Differences between the U.S. and Russia over development of the states in the former Soviet region and the relationships between these states and the Europe of the EU and NATO have generated some of the most difficult issues in relations between the United States and Russia. What is the origin of this tension and what steps might be undertaken to ameliorate it in the future?
- Central Asia Program. The Obama Administration has made a "reset" in relations with Russia a key objective for the United States in Eurasia. What are the prospects for achieving a more productive relationship with Russia and what are the challenges that will face American leadrs in redefining U.S.-Russia relations?
- China Program. The United States must maintain a clear position of military predominance and political/economic leadership throughout the entire Asia-Pacific maritime region in order to protect its vital national interests in the face of China's rise. Do you agree or disagree with this proposition? Explain why.
- South Asia Program. What is the best U.S. strategy for defeating terrorism emanating from Pakistan?
- Energy & Climate Program. One of the major obstacles to deploying new clean technologies revolves around intellectual property rights. What is the appropriate level of technology transfer between countries? How can we balance the need to incentivize new research and development with the need to keep costs for new technology low?
- International Economics Program. The U.S. financial crisis will have international consequences. What will be the most important ones? Which countries will be most affected? Are there any countries that will benefit from the American Financial problems?
- U.S. Role in the World Program. Is America in decline as a world power?
All of the above materials will be forwarded by the designated university official, Margaret Heely, EdD, to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.
For Further Information
For more information, contact:
Margaret Heely
Designated/Nominating Official
Office of Experiential Learning
B-4 Thaw Hall / 412-624-6828
