David Lopacki
Class of 2004

After UCSB, I moved down to Austin, TX to work for Dell computers small and medium Business sales. It's been pretty good, trying to pull some strings to get into the international sales and marketing role in places like Panama, Argentina and Hong Kong.

Last year I finally received my security clearance for my internship at the State Department in Washington D.C. It definitely was a great experience working in the United States Embassy for the Organization of the American States, a smaller version of the UN that deals with all countries located in the Western Hemisphere. I worked with the Ambassador and Deputy in dealing with many issues ranging from hemespheric security to improvements in civil society. Note taking, writing opening remarks for the Ambassador and negotiating text for certain articles with foreign officers were some tasks I had to deal with at the OAS. Knowing Spanish was a critical tool in helping the Embassy translate documents to help determine what type of wording countries used to differ from English text.

Also being able to speak with other countries representives allowed me to make new friends and learn what goals countries wanted to achieve. Venezuela had a very important influence with certain nations in South America, as it was obvious countries moving leftist such as Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay had an influencing voice in certain votes.

I highly recommend anyone in the Global department interested in foreign relations to apply for a State Department internship to learn and be involved in how multi organizational and one on one negotiating works between nations.

FYI, also be prepared to wait 8-12 months to receive a security clearance once you are accepted.