The Department of History and Political Science has refashioned the previous global studies major into a new major in international security and diplomacy. It is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in national and international security, diplomacy and humanitarian work, in both governmental and nongovernmental sectors. The major requires coursework in comparative politics, global politics and U.S. foreign policy. Students are encouraged to participate in study abroad, an internship or other high-impact programs with opportunities for hands-on learning.
Among the internship opportunities available to Bridgewater students is the BC2DC program, in which students spend a semester living and working in Washington, D.C. Caithlin Rhodes ’24 participated in BC2DC during the spring of her senior year. The global studies major from Westminster, Md., worked as an administrative intern in the office of James Moylan, the delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for Guam. In that role, she learned how to research and write various legislative memos, specifically on topics relating to agriculture and climate change.
While in D.C., Rhodes lived with other college student interns at The Washington Center, located not far from the U.S. Capitol. In addition to her internship, she took a class on U.S. foreign policy and completed an online career-readiness course, earning a total of 15 credits for the semester.
“It was such an amazing experience,” Rhodes said. “The best part was going to events and meeting Congress members and making friends with students from all over the world.”
Rhodes said she always knew that she wanted to work for the federal government and was excited to be able to spend a semester living in the nation’s capital. She hopes to eventually work as an intelligence analyst and is applying for graduate programs to start next year.
Another high-impact program that can help prepare Bridgewater students for a career in diplomacy is Model UN. This program brings students together at a conference where they simulate a meeting of the United Nations. Students serve as representatives from designated countries and conduct research, write position papers and formulate proposals that they debate in committee.
Tony Nesselrodt Jr. ’24 participated in Model UN for two years while at BC and credits that experience, in part, to piquing his interest in pursuing a career in national security. The West Virginia native originally thought he wanted to work in computer science, but he had also grown up witnessing the impact of the opioid epidemic on nearby communities and thought that he’d like to be part of a solution. At BC, Nesselrodt discovered a passion for learning about history and politics, and his professors helped point him in the direction of how he could pursue a career that helped make a difference.
Nesselrodt is now in his first semester of a master’s degree in homeland security and emergency preparedness at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduation he hopes to work for either the Department of Homeland Security or the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in a position that develops policies for addressing international drug trafficking.
“I don’t think I could have gone anywhere that would have better prepared me for finding and then pursuing my career,” Nesselrodt said. “I love BC; the professors are great.”
Alex Schwind ‘22 is another BC Department of History and Political Science alumnus who is pursuing his dream career. The summer before his senior year, Schwind completed an internship with the U.S. Secret Service and then leveraged that into a full-time job.
“Jobs in international security and diplomacy are in great demand in an increasingly globalized world. We will always need diplomats, security professionals and employees with non-governmental organizations to help to solve conflicts around the world,” said Dr. Kevin Pallister, Associate Professor of Political Science.
To learn more, visit the Department of History and Political Science website.
– Heather S. Cole
10/28/24
