Title: Student Spotlight: Caleb Diamond

Next up in our Summer Student Spotlight Series, we talk to rising second-year Caleb Diamond. 

Caleb is concentrating in Global Politics and Security (GPS). Within his concentration, his research interests include conflict management, stabilization operations, and collective security. Before starting at MSFS, Caleb worked at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank in Washington, DC. Caleb holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and is a proud DC native. Reflecting on his decision to come to Georgetown, Caleb said “I joined MSFS because of the comprehensive core curriculum, intimate class size, and impressive alumni network. After graduating, I hope to work for the U.S. government, multilaterals, or non-governmental organizations on the issues I am studying.”

Caleb, can you share a little bit about what you are doing this summer? 

This summer I am interning with the Policy Planning Team within the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO). DPO provides political and executive direction to the 12 active UN peacekeeping missions. Specifically, I assist with research and administrative tasks for three workstreams: the future of peacekeeping operations; the impact of mis- and disinformation on peacekeeping operations; and host-country consent of UN troop deployments. There is no typical day here at the UN, but everything I do is an opportunity to apply my academic interests to a professional setting.

What do you find most rewarding about this experience? 

In addition to my assigned tasks, working with DPO has been rewarding for two reasons. First, working for such a large organization—one that dwarfs Georgetown and CSIS—has begun to teach me how to navigate bureaucracy and work with diverse teams to achieve shared beneficial outcomes. I’m still a long way away, but this is a skill I will certainly apply to future endeavors. Second, it has been inspiring to witness firsthand how international and local organizations provide security and offer political and peacebuilding support to countries in need, many of which are in Africa and do not receive much attention in U.S. foreign policy circles.