Chloe Stargel is a fourth year International Affairs & Modern Languages (IAML) major, studying French. On campus, she is involved with IASO, GT Student Ambassadors, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Chloe studied abroad twice during her time at GT, with the EU Study Abroad Program and the Sciences Po Paris Exchange Programme, and considers both amazing experiences that shaped her undergraduate education. Chloe’s past work experience includes the German Marshall Fund, the European Parliament, and the International Rescue Committee of Atlanta, a refugee resettlement firm. In fall 2014, she interned with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in Washington, D.C. We asked her a few questions about how her time at Tech helped him succeed in this internship.
What did you enjoy most about your internship and what did you find most challenging?
Working at OPIC was such an incredible opportunity because it introduced me to the inner workings of both the private and public sectors, while allowing me to gain valuable insight into the international development sector. I would not be lying if I said I enjoyed just about everything, since I was constantly surrounded by accomplished and passionate individuals dedicated to solving the world’s toughest development problems through innovative solutions.
The accessibility and guidance of my coworkers and managers were integral parts to my personal development inside and outside of OPIC. Their leadership solidified my confidence for working closely with executive staff members on international development finance projects.
Early on, my lack of experience working with financial instructions or within the private sector in general stood out as my greatest challenge when working at OPIC. Within no time, however, the support provided by the OPIC intern program and the constant influx of development events and seminars one finds when living in such a bustling political metropolis such as D.C. allowed for me to learn the ins and outs of the complex world of international development.
Tell us about an experience that made an impression on you during your internship.
One of my favorite parts of working in the Public and Congressional Affairs department at OPIC was being involved with various events hosted by OPIC and its partner agencies and departments. The most rewarding event we organized, alongside USAID and the State Department, was the Caribbean diaspora event at the end of Caribbean-American Heritage month. I was able to meet such a diverse array of talented individuals working on both sides of the development fence who inspired me with their determination to make lasting strides in bettering the global human condition. Additionally, the State Department decided to invite the interns to an afternoon at the Truman Bowling Alley as a thank-you gift for working the event, which was a gift of a lifetime!
In what ways did your time at Tech prepare you for the internship?
Since my internship involved me working with several departments and balancing various responsibilities, I was always immensely thankful for all the time management preparation I’ve received throughout my undergraduate career at Georgia Tech. However, I found all of the analytic, problem solving, and writing skills I’ve cultivated with the assistance of my International Affairs professors and classmates as indispensible assets to succeeding at OPIC and beyond.
What are your plans after graduating?
I will be working as a management analyst for Accenture Federal services up in Washington, D.C. next fall!
