In this Q&A, we speak with Carrie Wang, an international studies undergraduate, who was selected as an autumn 2024 recipient of the Leslianne Shedd Memorial Fund Internship Scholarship award.
The Shedd Memorial Fund Internship provides up to $2,500 to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to intern with the U.S. Foreign Service, the United Nations, or other international governmental or non-governmental organizations.
Name: Carrie Wang
Degree: B.A. International Studies and Political Science
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2026
Hometown: Wuhan, China
What led you to the Jackson School?
To be honest, rather than saying that I was led to the Jackson School, it would be more accurate to say that I chose the Jackson School because of my academic interests, and what it has offered me has far exceeded my expectations. What I love most about the Jackson School is the opportunities it provides to every member, as well as the advisers and professors who are always available and willing to help. This warmth of support is reflected in the weekly newsletters that keep us informed about internship and scholarship opportunities, in Ms. Peg Cheng’s emails sharing and forwarding every potential opportunity, and also in my interactions with professors. I can confidently say that the Jackson School has introduced me to the best group of people I’ve encountered in my academic journey, making every day of my time there a truly memorable experience.
What was your reaction to receiving the Leslianne Shedd Memorial Fund Internship Scholarship?
Super excited and honored! It is a great encouragement to me, not only motivating me to do my best in my current internship, but giving me more motivation to pursue more similar opportunities in the future.
What organization did you complete your internship at and what were your responsibilities?
The organization where I did my internship was the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC). It is an independent, non-profit research and education organization that promotes tax reform and public-private partnership programs. I belonged to its Energy Growth and Security (EGS) program, which focuses on the security, natural resources, infrastructure, and energy transition that are taking place in Eurasia, Europe, the Middle East, and around the world. My work involved advanced research projects, media articles, preparing research briefs, providing literature reviews, talking points, and preparing presentations, and then reporting to my supervisor. The research focused on programs and projects related to international energy policy and markets. Other responsibilities included developing and organizing conferences, seminars, panel discussions, and other events, as well as assisting with scheduling and administrative support.
How will this award help your goals and career path?
The greatest help that this award has provided me is the access to a wider database and literature and the opportunity to have direct interactions with practitioners. The internship I participated in was unpaid, and in exchange, I had the opportunity to attend seminars, luncheons, and lectures with practitioners in the field of international studies. By accessing sources that my supervisor directed me to — some of which have not yet been registered by UW — I was able to learn more about international relations outside of the classroom. For example, ITIC concentrates its research on energy interactions in Eurasia, focusing on Russia and China specifically, which is a significant overlap with the trajectory I anticipate in my future graduate research. Therefore, I was able to gain an extra opportunity to learn and gain knowledge. Furthermore, because my internship is based in Washington, D.C., most of the offline activities it organizes are also concentrated there. As a networking and exchange opportunity, the award also allowed me to personally participate in those activities and gain valuable experience.
What key skills have you learned at the Jackson School that you’ll apply to your career?
I think it is writing skills. Although there is a big difference between an argumentative essay used for research or reasoning in school and an assignment used for policy analysis during an internship, the thinking mode used to conceive an article is commonly shared. The writing advice I received at the Jackson School writing center has greatly helped my thinking when drafting an article, and this has been beneficial over the long term.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for Jackson School Internship Scholarships?
I think I would say that the most important thing is to take the first step. Don’t let worries of not being selected prevent you from taking advantage of this rare opportunity. On this basis, relate what you have learned in the classroom at the Jackson School to the jobs and works you are currently engaged in, demonstrate and truly do your best to apply what you have learned in the classroom to your internship experience and use the internship experience to inspire your future academic or career path. Finally, sincerely show all of this in the application.
Anything else you’d like readers to know?
Believe in yourself and always be willing to try. The Jackson School has great people who are always there for you and willing to help, and they are a huge gem throughout.