INFO SESSION:  October 14, 2009 (Wednesday)

                      4:30pm, Leighton 304

Purpose: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, one of the world's leading think tanks specializing in international affairs, conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international relations and U.S. foreign policy. The Junior Fellows Program at Carnegie Endowment is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Each year, Carnegie holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 8-10 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates - academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. 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.

The Junior Fellow Assignments/Positions

Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating seniors or students who have graduated during the last academic year. No one who has started graduate studies is eligible for consideration. The Carnegie Endowment accepts applications only through participating universities via designated nominating officials.

Funding: Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package. The monthly salary is $2,916.66 (equivalent to $35,000 annually) subject to federal, state, and local taxes. Benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance as well as vacation leave. A $500 allowance (less taxes) will be given to individuals relocating to the Washington, D.C. area. Junior Fellows are responsible for their own housing arrangements.

Deadlines for Students

10/14/09:    Info Session, 4:30pm, Leighton 304

Profs Roy Grow and Greg Marfleet will discuss how to write a "policy paper", how to work with a faculty advisor and how to figure out what the Carnegie folks want from you.

11/9/09:       Submission of all materials, draft essay, etc., by 5:30pm in the Career Center. 

11/12/09:      Notification of finalist(s)

11/13/09  and 11/16/09:  Individual meetings with Profs Grow and Marfleet about essay revisions.

1/5/10:          Revisions due at the Career Center by 5:30pm.  (Profs Grow and Marfleet read again)

1/11/10:        Final Final draft of essay and materials due at the Career Center by 5:30pm. 

Application Process:

• Application form, including an essay (one page or less double-spaced) on why you would like to become a Junior Fellow.
• A resume (1 to 2 pages) which must include telephone number, address, e-mail address, extra-curricular activities and work experience.
• Two letters of reference, one of which should be from a professor in your major department of study.  (For Nov. 9 submission......names, addresses only)
• Transcript (the transcript may be unofficial)
• An essay of no more than three (3) typewritten, double-spaced pages on one of the following topics. These topics are intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. The essays should be thought pieces, not research papers. Students should submit an essay related to their primary research program interests, although the Carnegie Endowment may ultimately select an applicant for a program outside of his/her designated primary interest or make an assignment to more than one program. (Please place your name on each page of the essay)

Applicants must respond to the question pertaining to the program to which they are applying:

A. 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?

B. 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?

C. 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?

D. 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?

E. 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 leaders in redefining U.S.-Russia relations?

F. 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.

G. South Asia Program. What is the best U.S. strategy for defeating terrorism
emanating from Pakistan?

H. 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?

I. U.S. Role in the World Program. Is America in decline as a world power?

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Faculty Adviser:

Roy Grow, 507-222-4086, Willis 406
rgrow@carleton.edu

For more information, check frequently asked questions. Applicants can contact the Career Center at 507-222-4293, Sayles-Hill 50. Please note that students are not allowed to apply directly to Carnegie. Finalists in the selection process will be invited for personal interviews in the spring.

Official Website: http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows