EUROPEAN INSTITUTE
Katherine Herbst

An international relations major from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts who graduated in May of 2006, Katherine Herbst also attended Dickinson College’s Bologna Program in Italy where she studied political science. This Sarah Williston Scholar asked for a Europe-related internship when she applied to WIP in late March. Katherine worked as an Integrated Industrial Systems Intern in Asia last summer, and she traveled around Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manila, and Singapore studying different cultures in relation to business. Katherine belonged to the dressage (horseback) team at Mount Holyoke along with College Republicans and 4-H. She speaks Italian. The Washington Internship Program placed Katherine at both the European Institute and the Italian Institute of Culture. Katherine originally accepted the latter just fourteen days after applying to WIP, but the European Institute persuaded Katherine to work there by promising her a paid staff position in the fall following the summer internship. However, at the conclusion of the internship, WIP brought Katherine Herbst to the attention of Ruthi Postow Staffing, which selects extraordinary interns for up-and-coming administrative positions in large companies or special projects within various organizations. This firm o K Street, N.W. chose Katherine as the first among the exceptional graduates in the Washington Internship Program whom it sought to place. Katherine’s account of her internship follows:

            “When I first arrived at the European Institute in June, I was mainly responsible for writing web summaries and reports of conferences that had been recently convened and which I attended. Before these events were held, I also assisted staff members in preparing name plates, agendas, and other logistical materials. After about three or four weeks, I began more research-related projects. My primary responsibility involved an upcoming Roundtable on Energy and Environment to be held at the end of September. I worked closely with the president of the organization in order to develop a schedule for the meeting. I drafted a few preliminary agendas that listed possible speakers and identified issues to be discussed at the conference. In order to decide on the main themes, I completed Internet research and attended four other conferences at think-tanks as well as a Senate hearing. I submitted oral or written reports on all these activities. Once a clear direction was chosen for the roundtable, I began writing letters of invitation to speakers. I also drafted an invitation to Toyota as a possible sponsor. Later in the summer, I assisted in a mass mailing to all attendees.”

           “Throughout the internship, I did other office tasks like updating the database and filing. I conducted background research on companies and individuals. Over all, my experience was quite valuable, and I am grateful for this opportunity. It was, however, difficult at times because the organization was undergoing restructuring, which created definite tensions. Although I was offered a paid position as staff assistant, I chose to leave the European Institute in order to find a new challenge.”

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