Megan Di Giovanni
Intern at U.S. Department of State, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI)
Public Policy MPA Internship Profile
Megan Di Giovanni
Hometown, city, and state or country: Originally from NJ, but now living in Lee, MA
Degree and Graduation year: 4+1 MPA, 2025
Where I am interning: U.S. Department of State, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI)
What I am doing there: I specifically aided the Global Programs team in S/GWI, which meant I focused mostly on program development and management. The main goal of S/GWI is to promote and empower women across the globe, specifically regarding the following policy areas: women, peace and security; women economic security; and gender-based violence. S/GWI has programs in 60 countries, so every day looked different for me. One day, the office was hosting the NATO Summit, and the next I was in consultation meetings with Burkina Faso and South Sudan. I even got to shake hands with the Secretary of State Antony Blinken! My tasks included developing gender analysis toolkits, tracking and creating liquidation charts, and researching highlights from each program.
The most important thing I am learning: The most important thing I learned was time management. There were days in the office when I was given five projects at once. Using my own judgment and time management skills, I prioritized deadlines and tasks for each project to ensure they were completed efficiently and effectively.
The most challenging part of my internship: The most challenging part of my internship was interacting with heavy topics every day. I found it was difficult to stay positive in an office that specializes in distressing problems, but the work I put out and the tangible results of S/GWI’s programming provided motivation for my coworkers and myself to continue forward.
What surprised me the most: What surprised me the most was the tangible results of S/GWI’s programming. It was inspiring to see that I, as a measly intern, could be making positive contributions to gender equality around the world. This internship has reignited my passion for gender policy and justice, for if I could do so much as an intern, there is no telling how much change I will be able to make in my future career.
What skills that you learned at SPP did you use or hone during your internship: There were a plethora of skills that I learned from SPP that I used and honed during my internship. For example, my writing skills that I developed in my SPP classes through memos and papers were extremely useful when developing the gender analysis toolkits. Also, while my research abilities were foundational, the analytical tools I developed at SPP were further honed during my internship.
Why I’m studying public policy: Why not? Human lives are so short, so I feel it is my responsibility to spend my years making positive change for others. I have so many interests and passions, but if I am not transforming the world for the better, then what is the point of living? I believe public policy will give me not only the tools, but also a diversity of perspectives that will allow me to make change.
Future plans: I am currently applying to several post-graduate fellowships, with the hopes of starting my career in the federal government. I plan to dedicate my career to gender policy, while also researching the nexus between female empowerment and the impacts of climate change. Either way, I plan to stay connected with Massachusetts and the incredible community I’ve built here, so feel free to reach out!