Jacopo Demarinis interned with think tank the Millennium Project in Spring 2022. He wants to pursue a career in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
I’ve always known that I wanted to participate in Illinois in Washington. It is an amazing opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge to a real world context and strengthen your professional network in one of the most politically charged and consequential cities in the world. While the Illinois in Washington internship program is a unique opportunity for students pursuing a career in politics or law, it also offers students interested in public policy, lobbying, activism, law enforcement, science and tech, the media, and peacebuilding the chance to explore different career paths.
For me, I’m pursuing a career in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and there was no scarcity of organizations to choose from. My internship search took about four months, and I applied to think tanks including the Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings, and the Millennium Project. I also submitted applications to the State Department, Rumi Forum, and the Environmental Law and Policy Center. In total, I submitted around 15 applications, before receiving an internship offer. Ultimately, I chose to intern at the Millennium Project, a global think tank that conducts futures research, since I have the opportunity to independently research topics of interest in peacebuilding.
A couple of tips while applying! You should start early (start searching at least 6 months before moving to D.C.), cast a wide net, prepare for your interviews, and be organized. Create a separate Google Drive folder dedicated to the internship search and make each internship application a new document. Also, make sure you have a list of what you are looking for in general in an internship (opportunities for professional advancement and networking, travel time, pay, etc.), to better refine your search.
Living in D.C. has been an experience that I will never forget! Being in the epicenter of politics and government is so exciting. Of course, you must visit the National Mall and all the memorials, monuments, and museums therein! But other places you should visit include the whole Georgetown area- it is so beautiful and relaxing- as well as the Wharf, the White House visitor’s center, and the countless embassies in and around D.C. And, of course, don’t forget the US Capitol! Also, taking relaxing walks around the neighborhood is a great way to get to know the people of D.C.
At the Millennium Project, I am researching topics that relate to Global Challenge #10, Peace and Conflict. Specifically, I am particularly interested in environmental peacebuilding, ways to shift the global security paradigm to promote a culture of peace, and how to ensure global food security in the decades to come. Some of my other responsibilities include supporting the Millennium Project’s mission by spreading awareness of its public events, contacting leading experts in the peacebuilding field, and adding material to the Peace Chart, a chart that documents all known peacebuilding strategies.
Importantly, I’ve learned some important lessons about staying organized and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. To stay organized, dedicate a particular time in the day to answering emails and make those messages concise! Also, write daily task lists to keep track of your progress and what you have yet to accomplish. Setting reminders on your phone can help. And, regarding a healthy work-life balance, my best advice is to work hard and then turn off the computer at a certain time at night and relax/sleep. And always keep things in perspective. There are so many professional opportunities in D.C., but nothing is life or death. And I know you’ll do great!