Building the Next Generation of Foreign Policy Professionals: One Internship at a Time

International affairs institutes like the Canadian International Council and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) form an interconnected family of like-minded organizations working together to provide platforms for debate on issues of global importance. In doing so, they seek to educate, inform, and engage the public, a large number of whom are young people. Focusing on these young people--individuals who clearly have an important place in defining the future--a question arises: to what extent should organizations not only educate young people about international affairs but also play an active role in preparing them for a career in international affairs? In brief, can these organizations function as a training ground for the next generation of international relations professionals? The AIIA, like some other organizations, has grasped this opportunity, and perhaps duty, by creating an internship program where participants receive opportunities for experiential learning in the field of international affairs. In return, the AIIA is able to augment its operations with emerging talent.While current literature on internships almost unanimously commends the benefits accrued both to the host organization and to the participants, there has been little specific focus on internships in international affairs. This examination of the AIIA's internship program therefore provides a concrete and data-rich example of how a foreign policy institute can have a direct impact on the future of international affairs by shaping the next generation of professionals. The aim of this paper is not only to contribute to the literature on internships through a case study of the AIIA's internship program but also to encourage international affairs institutions to recognize the value of high-quality internship programs. Programs like the AIIA's that focus on increasing the skills, confidence, and employability of young people should be part of the future for most, if not all, international affairs institutes.InternshipsFor the purpose of this paper, an internship is defined as a temporary work arrangement undertaken for the purpose of training and education. Internships offer benefits for career development, for example, by helping to crystallize young adults' career interests and values.[1] Internships also increase the employment prospects for new graduates who are put into contact with relevant companies during their experience.[2] These results have been replicated in various industries.[3]The tendency to view the traditional classroom as the exclusive home of significant learning experiences hinders the potential for experiential learning to become an integral part of the education process.[4] Fortunately, policymakers and educational institutions alike have begun to acknowledge the benefits of education beyond the classroom; nonetheless, there is still much debate over how best to prepare young people for the world of work.[5] Sue Cranmer argues, for example, that education resources should be directed to increase employment-based training and experience opportunities.[6] Yet some are less enthusiastic about her proposed change. Their caution stems from the potentially exploitative practices and elitist tendencies of unpaid work.[7] Indeed, last year the Canadian parliament considered a bill to protect unpaid interns and ensure that internship programs were designed primarily to meet the needs of the intern rather than the sponsor organization. Institutions seeking to use interns can address these concerns directly by demonstrating that they are cognizant of the influence of context upon learning and the importance of the work experience setting to subsequent employment.[8]Demand among young people for experiential learning is evident in the large number of "co-op" programs run by various universities across North America. …