Career Services

Planning and Resources

SAISWorks
students in washington, D.C.

Individual Career Planning

Career Services offers a variety of resources to assist students and alumni in their professional development. Our services range from providing guidance and goal setting to helping students gain experience in their chosen professional field while crafting an effective job search strategy. Due to differences in staffing resources across the three campuses of SAIS, some services and programs are not offered on all three campuses. Students with questions about which campus offers certain specific services and programs should contact the Career Services office on that campus.

Career Course

The primary purpose of the course is to help each student develop a personalized professional development plan that will map out goals and objectives for gaining experience and ultimately finding a job. In addition to the general orientation and online tutorials, the course includes interactive sessions that review key concepts in the job search process and give students the opportunity to work together on fine-tuning key job search strategies by researching a key employer, briefing other students interested in this sector and writing a targeted résumé and cover letter. The final stage of the course will be an individual meeting with a career counselor to review each student's professional development plan and career goals for the year.

Self-Assessment Review

Career Services offers two self-assessment tools for current students seeking to clarify and explore their career goals: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and CareerLeader. After taking these online assessments, students may attend a workshop to learn about the results and then they meet with a counselor to discuss any impact the results may have on their professional development and career choice. First-year M.A. students may meet with a counselor after they complete the Career Course.

Drop-In Appointments

These are best suited for a student who has already developed a strategy for a job or internship search and needs to review application materials, follow up on a specific topic from a previous meeting, or discuss a specific question. Students receive a weekly e-mail from Career Services with updates on appointment information and other important matters.

Counseling Appointments

These appointments are designed to support students throughout the development and implementation of their internship or job search strategy. Some of the common issues covered in these sessions include:

  • Preparing a professional development plan
  • Researching sectors, fields and employers
  • Providing linkages to SAIS alumni and professionals in all fields and sectors
  • Identifying and pursuing year-round or summer internships
  • Assisting with the job hunt process

Mock Interviews

Students can schedule a time to conduct a mock interview with a counselor. Students will need to provide a job description of the employer of interest and any application materials. The meeting will include practicing interview questions followed by feedback on content and presentation style in the mock interview.

Nonprofit Leadership Development Initiative

The Nonprofit Leadership Development Initiative (NLDI) is a new extracurricular program established by the Office of Career Services to assist SAIS students who want to enter the nonprofit arena. The NLDI, made possible by the generosity of SAIS Advisory Council members Peter O'Hagan '87 and Sarah Brown O'Hagan '86 and Goldman Sachs Gives Charitable Fund, has three main components: a leadership development program, a summer internship with stipend at an international nonprofit and a presentation forum of student experiences.

Overview

SAIS trains dedicated leaders to solve crucial issues facing our world. In 2011, 17 percent of our graduates accepted nonprofit sector jobs working to build thriving, sustainable communities at home and abroad. The NLDI ensures selected students gain valuable leadership skills and nonprofit sector experience, enhancing their academic experience and positioning them advantageously when pursuing professional goals.

The Nonprofit Leadership Development Initiative Program components include:

Leadership Development

NLDI participants are required to complete a leadership development program prior to their summer internship experience.

The curricula for the program will include the following:

  • Leadership retreat with a focus on leading nonprofit organizations
  • Alumni series covering current trends and challenges in nonprofit management
  • Opportunity to meet with leaders in the nonprofit community

Internship Partnerships at Select Nonprofits

Career Services develops partnerships with targeted nonprofit organizations which agree to participate in the program and provide a substantive summer internship opportunity for a SAIS student. Internship designations are based on each student's area of focus and career goals. SAIS provides a summer stipend of $5,000 to each student participating in the program.

Reports and Open Forum

At the conclusion of their internships, students are required to submit a report and make a presentation to the SAIS community outlining the scope of their work, reviewing how lessons and skills developed through the leadership development program were used, and how the program impacted students' professional development and career goals.

How to Apply

Students apply for the program by submitting an application form available on the Career Services website, résumé and letter of interest to SAIS Career Services. Application deadline is October 15 of each year.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

First-year M.A. students from the Washington, D.C. and Bologna campuses in any concentration are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to nonprofits and leadership potential. Application materials are available in SAISWorks in October.

For Further Information, contact Setu van Lare Hodges in Career Services, 202-663-5710 or svanlare@jhu.edu.

Application Deadline

October 15 every year

Career Treks

The Career Services staff in our offices in Washington, D.C., Bologna and Nanjing organize sector-focused treks to Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Brussels, New York and other cities. Treks provide valuable opportunities for students to visit employer sites, hear alumni speak about their careers and gain insight into the hiring requirements of some of our top employers. Trek opportunities vary for students on each campus.

In past years, Career Services staff members have helped students in various Career Clubs coordinate treks to other cities including San Francisco and Houston. If you are interested in helping to organize a trek, contact your Career Club president or contact the Career Services office on your campus. Here are some examples of past Treks:

New York Finance Treks

With the Wall Street recruiting season commencing in the fall, Career Services organizes two Wall Street Treks in early fall. Additional Treks targeting consulting, energy and other private sector employers are slated later in the academic year.

New York Nonprofit and Multilateral Trek

The January New York Career Trek is an annual career exploration and alumni networking program for SAIS students primarily interested in nonprofit employers and international organizations. Participating organizations have included: Trickle Up Program, Council on Foreign Relations, Revenue Watch Institute, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations.

Asia Trek

For many years, Career Services has organized a January Career Trek to Shanghai and Hong Kong. Participating organizations in Shanghai have included Deloitte, APCO, Citibank, and Wells Fargo. Participating organizations in Hong Kong have included JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Thompson Reuters.

London Finance Trek

To prepare for the fall finance sector recruitment cycles, our staff in the Bologna Center Career Services Office organize a Finance Trek to London in October. Participating companies have included Barclays, ING, Morgan Stanley Investment Management U.K. Rogge Global Partners.

Brussels, Geneva and London Treks

The Bologna Career Services team organizes Career Treks to major European cities for students interested in exploring opportunities with businesses, think thanks, nonprofits, European and multilateral organizations. Participating employers have included: (Brussels) Burson Marstellar, the European Commission, the International Crisis Group and NATO; (Geneva) International Trade Centre, UNDP, UNHCT and the WTO; (London) the Economist Intelligence Unit, Eurasia Group, Human Rights Watch and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Gaining Experience Through Internships

Career Services has a number of resources that can help students identify and seek promising internship opportunities. Additionally, many academic programs also work with students in their concentration to develop relevant internships.

Internship Handout

Check out this guide to the internship-seeking process, which covers why, when and how to find an internship

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Meet With a Counselor

Review your search strategy, brainstorm new ideas or look for contacts working with employers of interest. First-year M.A. students must complete the Career Course before they can set up an appointment with a counselor.

Summer Internship Evaluation Surveys

Review the results of past summer internship evaluation surveys. Each individual survey contains contact information, a description of duties and an evaluation of the merits of the internship. The most current and past surveys can be found on SAISWorks, the internet based multi-career-resource tool available to SAIS students on all three campuses 24-7.

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Summer Travel Safety Information

This resource provides tips on how to travel safely during your internship. Note that you must use your JHED ID and password to access this site.

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SAIS Sector Profiles

Developed from the APSIA Career Guide, these profiles have been gathered by Career Services staff, clubs, and alumni to provide more in-depth information on fields and employers of interest most common for SAIS students. The guides provide both general information on internships and links to top employers. This resource is available to SAIS students through SAISWorks.

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Fellowship Links

Search research, internship and fellowship opportunities.

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APSIA Career Guides

The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) also provides general career information about the wide range of careers that graduates from APSIA schools pursue.

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Career Library

Review the Career Library's resources on internships and fellowships.

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InterviewStream

In addition to conducting mock interviews with a counselor, you can use this online tool to help you refine your message to best sell your skills in a professional and effective manner. InterviewStream also takes away the stress and challenge of fine tuning your message with someone you do not know. You can record and watch your responses until you get them right. All you need is a webcam, microphone and speakers or headphones to conduct an interview right now. When your answers are fine tuned, you have the choice to e-mail your interview to classmates and friends for objective feedback. The website also provides tips for non-verbal behaviors and communication missteps. To get started, SAIS students and alumni should login to SAISWorks.

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SAISWorks

Through SAISWorks, Career Services provides links to both General and International Job and Internship Search Engines

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Summer Internship Fund

The Summer Internship Fund provides partial financial assistance to first-year students with confirmed unpaid full-time internships. Awards are intended to supplement student resources to meet the general costs of their internship.

The Summer Internship Fund (SIF) was established at SAIS in 1996 to provide limited financial assistance to first-year master's degree students pursuing full-time, summer internships between their first and second year of study. Awards are available to students on all three campuses, in any concentration, for work in any sector and in any region.

Eligibility

First-year master's students who are returning to complete their studies at SAIS on any campus may receive an award one time during the period of their studies. This also applies to students who begin their studies in the second semester and for dual-degree students. No SIF funding is available to students for the summer after graduation.

Application materials and instructions are available in the spring. Students apply for SIF through SAISWorks. Applications will only be accepted for confirmed full-time (what is considered a full-time schedule within the organization) unpaid internships lasting a minimum of one month.

Students receiving funds from an academic program or other SAIS sources are eligible to apply for the Summer Internship Fund as well. The amount awarded will be based on a percentage of other funds received.

Summer Internship Fund grants are not available for the following:

  • All language study opportunities
  • All teaching opportunities (i.e. teaching of English as a second language)
  • Independent research (i.e. research conducted independently and not directly tied to internship job description)

Awards

Awards are intended to supplement personal resources to meet the general costs of an internship (i.e. vaccinations, airfare, living expenses, insurance, visas, etc.). Award amounts vary from year to year depending on multiple factors, including the total amount of funds available, the number of students who apply for funding, the duration of an internship and the amount of any departmental funds a student may be receiving.

Funding Sources

Award funds come from several sources, including general funds from SAIS and through annual fundraising efforts of the Student Government Association. There are also several alumni funds earmarked for internships in specific sectors, regions and fields. These include: the environment, private sector, Central Asia/Asia, as well as funds specifically earmarked for public service internships in the U.S. government.