Summer camp job lands internship

Senior Natalie Pippin received an internship at the United States Department of State through the connections she made at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA). She plans to use the experience as she starts her career.

Pippin was involved in the 2023 session of NISA in her role as student assistant. During the weeklong program, she networked with former members of the CIA, FBI and other agencies, and she helped provide students with an exceptional experience. When the program ended, Dr. Edward Mienie and Heath Williams encouraged the Macon, Georgia, resident to apply for the internship during which she hoped to learn more about intelligence.

She is pursuing a degree in international affairs with a concentration in Europe and a minor in intelligence.

"It was good for me in terms of networking for jobs because I was able to put the experience on my resume," Pippin said. “The people from the CIA and FBI gave me their business cards and spoke with me. I definitely think that it was an advantage to be able to say I've met somebody in the field."

Running July 15-19 this year, NISA promises 50 rising sophomores, juniors or seniors an in-depth look at intelligence careers. It is funded through UNG's Cadet Leadership Academy (CLA).  

The academy will be held on UNG's Cumming Campus for the first four days during which students will hear from guest speakers and cover nearly 20 topics including the history of intelligence, possible jobs, functions of the intelligence field, sharing of information between U.S. intelligence agencies, cybersecurity, and the ethical, moral, and legal considerations of intelligence.

The academy concludes with a motor coach trip to the Dahlonega Campus, where attendees will have class, tour the campus, eat lunch, and receive information about UNG's academic programs and its Corps of Cadets.

Participants must apply and priority is given to students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and those students who have studied a strategic language (Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, or Korean). The $149 fee per participant helps defray expenses of meals, course materials and the motor coach.

Georgia high school teachers have audited the course, often creating a curriculum for their schools. Ten teachers have an opportunity to audit the 2024 class, and are encouraged to reach out to Williams at heath.williams@ung.edu.

Pippin's experience working the 2023 academy has helped her during her internship at the State Department and to learn more about government service and intelligence work, something she wants to pursue after graduation. Pippin interns in the European and Eurasian Bureau in policy and regional affairs.

"Being able to do this internship is all about networking," Pippin said. "I've been able to sit down with people from other bureaus and other offices and get to know more about what they do. So, I've experienced a good mix of the Department of State, and I think this is perhaps something that I want to pursue in the future."

Mienie, a professor and executive director of the strategic and security studies bachelor's degree program and partnerships, together with CLA, created the academy, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.  

This year's academy will have guest speakers covering the FBI, National Security Agency, CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Office of Director of National Intelligence, and Military Intelligence.  

"Building on the solid foundation laid during our first two years of hosting NISA, we are looking forward to offering our high school students yet again an experience of a lifetime listening to senior national intelligence officers share their knowledge with us,” Mienie said.