Junior Mya Stevenson attends exclusive Cox-State Department Diplomacy Seminar in Washington D. C.

An Alcorn State University junior recently returned from a seminar that exposed her to possible careers in diplomacy.

In October, Atlanta native and biology/health science major Mya Stevenson attended the Cox-State Department Diplomacy Seminar in Washington, D. C. Stevenson was one of 28 scholars from among 540 applicants chosen to attend the select conference.

Stevenson was enthusiastic to have been selected to learn more about careers and other opportunities to serve the government in foreign affairs.

"Because the seminar had a limited selection process and was highly competitive, I was ecstatic to have been offered a spot in the 2019 cohort," said Stevenson.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the program is designed to allow current undergraduate students to gain a better understanding of the role of diplomats in promoting diplomacy and learning about the educational, internship, and career opportunities in the Foreign Service and Civil Service at the Department of State. 

The scholars met with distinguished ambassadors and participated in diplomatic simulations alongside the U. S. Diplomacy Center. They also met and spoke with current foreign services officers and dined with both Pickering and Rangel Fellows.

The three-day conference provided Stevenson with valuable information and tools that will be helpful in her career. She believes the seminar helped expose her to connecting with other professionals and scholar students from around the nation.

"This seminar was detailed and well organized. My experience was very informative and excellent opportunity to explore a career in international relations. I enjoyed connecting with other HBCU scholars and freely exploring Washington, D.C. A valuable lesson that I took from this conference is that networking and asking questions to get a better understanding goes a long way."

As Stevenson reflects on her experience, she is grateful for acquiring such valuable information.

"After learning of diplomatic careers spanning from medicine, technology, engineering, and international relations, I was very impressed with the wealth of knowledge on diplomacy, foreign service at the U. S. Department of State."

Stevenson plans to pursue a career in public service and international affairs. She is currently exploring graduate school programs that will help lead her to a preferred career.