A Bear football player during my time at MSU, I earned my BS degree in Political Science in May 2013. After graduation, I enrolled in Missouri State’s Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) Graduate program in Washington, DC. Perhaps relatively unheard of in back home, DSS is becoming a highly valued graduate degree and offers the chance to learn from some of Washington’s finest. Unlike other programs in the area, DSS’s professors are still highly active in the fields they teach. For example, I recently completed a missile defense course taught by Dr. Peppino DeBiaso, Director at the Office of Missile Defense Policy. Department Head Dr. Keith Payne, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Forces Policy, is highly respected inside the Beltway and is considered by many to be the foremost expert on nuclear deterrence and weapons policy. While there is certainly a “nuclear flavor” to DSS, there are a wide variety of classes one can choose from, including studies on chemical and biological warfare, Russia, East Asia, intelligence/counterintelligence, cyber warfare, and strategic culture.
Because of the competitive atmosphere here in DC, getting a few internships under your belt is vital. During my time at the American Foreign Policy Council, The Heritage Foundation, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies I had the chance to work with some of the nation’s top national security experts. Don’t let my think-tank centric experience throw you off; there are tons of internships available. One can seek out opportunities on the Hill, in the government, or private enterprises (A little advice: come into DC with a strategic game plan when selecting your internships, particularly those in government as you often have to apply in the summer. Some could offer a security clearance, which is a huge professional advantage). These internships allow students to make valuable connections and gain insight into the innerworkings of policy and research development. Just to be clear, DSS does not give you internships. However, our staff is great and works hard to hunt down new opportunities. Just this week internships at National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Center for Applied Strategic Learning were posted.
In addition to internships, I have published a handful of articles in outlets such as Defense News, Real Clear Defense, and US News & World Report on topics ranging from combat drones in Africa to missile defense in East Asia: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2013/11/12/nato-is-passing-the-buck-to-the-us-on-missile-defense, http://dailysignal.com/2014/08/11/nuclear-weapons-deserve-priority/
I was also fortunate enough to be selected as a Heritage George C. Marshall Fellow, received the Rumsfeld Foundation Fellowship scholarship award, and become a member of groups like the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Center for International Maritime Security, and Project on Nuclear Issues. For anyone thinking about enrolling in DSS, these programs are great for networking and a potential for publications. Worst case scenario you get a great dinner once or twice a month.
To be sure, the transition for Missouri was difficult. DC is fast paced and expensive. However, DC offers experiences you cannot find anywhere else in the world. For their part, DSS has given me the tools I need to exceed professionally. We are a tight-knit group, and most DSS alum will bend over backwards to help you out. I would highly recommend taking a look at DSS if you’re thinking about a career in international relations, security studies, or defense.
–Go Bears