Sophie Spiers
CAS ‘15 | International Relations, French
Research Intern
During Summer 2013, Sophie Spiers worked at the Boston Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human Rights as a research intern. To find her internship, she simply Googled “international relations internships in Boston,” and applied online.
CCD: Please tell us about your internship at the Boston Consortium.
Sophie: I translated (from English to French) the Monthly Action Plans of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security so that they could be submitted to the UN Security Council. I monitored the Consortium’s listservs and kept up to date with any relevant events and research that was applicable to our mission. I transcribed the Consortium’s “Speaker Series” talks and then edited them for clarity and grammar. I also worked with my fellow interns to design the content for the Consortium’s new website.
CCD: How did you find your internship?
Sophie: I used Google to research international relations internships in the Boston area. After finding the Consortium on Google, I realized the internship opportunity was also posted on the BU IR Facebook page.
CCD: What has been the best thing and the worst thing about your internship?
Sophie: My favorite part of the internship was getting to practice my French skills (I am also a French major, in addition to IR). I was proud of my work, especially because it was important to the organization’s mission and would be submitted to the Security Council. I also enjoyed getting to work with my fellow interns, and learning about website design, a really useful set of skills with which I had no previous experience. While I really enjoyed my internship, the work was very independent, especially since I worked remotely. Had the circumstances been different, I would have liked to work more with my fellow interns in a structured way.
CCD: What is one thing that you’ve learned that will be most beneficial in your next internship?
Sophie: I think the website design skills I learned will be very applicable in my future endeavors. In terms of my next internship, I will aim to work more closely with my boss and fellow interns, so I can establish connections and feel more grounded in my work.
CCD: How has this internship changed your future plans?
Sophie: While I enjoyed learning about the Consortium and really value its mission, I’m not sure the structure of a non-profit NGO will best suit my career needs. I will keep this in mind as I move forward.
CCD: What are the top 3 skills you’ve learned from your internship experience?
Sophie: Group work, website design, translation.
CCD: What’s next? Do you know where you’re going to intern/work at next?
Sophie: I am currently studying abroad in Geneva during the spring of 2014.
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