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Learning Beyond the Classroom: CMIST Undergraduate Summer Internships

For students in the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), learning often extends beyond traditional academic boundaries. The institute’s interdisciplinary nature encourages students to engage directly with the systems, organizations, and policy environments that shape contemporary global affairs. Each summer, students pursue opportunities in the US and abroad that translate coursework into practical experience, stepping into roles that challenge their analytical, creative, and professional skills. These experiences not only deepen their understanding of complex issues, but also demonstrate how strategy, innovation, and policy intersect in real-world contexts.

This past summer, three CMIST students—David Glick, a political science, security, and technology (PSST) major, Nazmee Kamal, a vocal performance major and American politics and law minor, and Carter Musheno, an international relations and political science (IRPS) major—participated in internships that exemplify how experiential learning fosters critical thinking, initiative, and adaptability. From Washington, DC, to the Republic of Palau, they applied their coursework to tangible challenges while gaining firsthand insight into their respective fields.

At the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), David Glick acquired an insider perspective on US defense policy. Drawn to studying defense budgeting and strategic priorities in real time, he collaborated with researchers focused on military readiness and modernization. “CMIST has a strong focus on security, defense, and the future of warfare,” he said. “Spending my summer thinking about these topics in a really granular, detailed way with some of the leading experts in these fields was great.”

During his internship, Glick contributed to budget analyses and identified potential implications for long-term defense planning. With limited documentation available, he and his colleagues synthesized data, refining their understanding through discussion and evaluation. “I have really enjoyed meeting the other interns and hearing about their interests and aspirations,” he shared. “Most of them are older than I am, so they've been great role models.” Beyond his own research, Glick attended policy talks across DC think tanks, listening to debates that shaped his understanding of policy development through collaboration and critique. Throughout these experiences, Glick observed how policy balances idealism with pragmatism and how security strategies evolve in practice. His work highlighted the importance of analytical rigor and adaptability.

Also in Washington, DC, at the Administrative Office of the US Courts (AOUSC), Nazmee Kamal served as an intern in the Staffing Services Branch of the court’s Human Resources Division. She worked with HR specialists to review and process personnel actions—including hiring, terminations, and leave requests—for employees across the federal court system. With her summer internship financially supported by the Friedman Fellowship program, she gained hands-on experience in the administrative functions that keep the judiciary running efficiently. “I got to work with really nice people and other interns from around the nation,” Kamal said. “We helped hire and orient new judges and let them know about all their workplace benefits and any law clerks that they could hire. We also assisted with retiring judges, which allowed me to meet them and learn about their experiences and contributions.”

Kamal’s time at the AOUSC offered a close look at how effective administration supports the courts’ mission. She gained insight into the precision, discretion, and communication required to manage processes that directly impact judges and staff nationwide. Working in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary building—just steps away from the Supreme Court, Capitol Building, and Library of Congress—she was able to connect her daily experiences to the broader functions of government.

For Kamal, the summer strengthened her interest in law and public service and bridged her academic studies in vocal performance and American politics and law. It underscored how diverse disciplines can contribute to strengthening democratic institutions through dedicated administrative work. Providing both practical experience and renewed motivation to apply her skills towards meaningful civic impact, Kamal’s summer in Washington marked an important step in her academic and professional journey.

Meanwhile, Carter Musheno applied similar principles in an international context. Through the (TCinGC) internship program, he served as a student consultant for the Republic of Palau’s Social Security Administration (ROPSSA) and the Palau Healthcare Fund (HCF). His work integrated technology, policy, and law to enhance institutional processes, providing practical experience aligned with his minors in cybersecurity and international conflict, American politics and law, and French and francophone studies.

In his role, Musheno developed an AI tool for automated legal compliance and text synthesis, conducted a full audit of agency processes, and helped lead management training sessions to implement digital documentation systems. He described the experience consulting for a government agency in a smaller country as uniquely hands-on and high-impact, with opportunities to work directly with leadership. With his office just one floor below the president in Palau’s newly constructed administrative building, Musheno regularly met with senior managers and the administrator of ROPSSA.

This close collaboration provided him with insight into how public institutions balance modernization with accountability. “This internship has been a powerful way to bridge my interests in public policy, law, and emerging technologies,” Musheno reflected. “I’ve gained valuable project management experience and had the freedom to independently design solutions with real-world impact. This role feels like the perfect intersection of consulting, policy, and tech—where I’m constantly applying creative problem-solving to complex institutional challenges. It’s exactly the kind of work I hope to continue in my career.” His experience demonstrates how students can apply critical thinking and creativity to incorporate their diverse academic interests in service of innovative solutions to real-world problems.

By engaging in experiential learning opportunities, CMIST students test theories in practice and confront the complexities of national and global systems firsthand. They return to campus with sharper analytical tools, a clearer sense of purpose, and an expanded understanding of how their education connects to the wider world. The experiences of Glick, Kamal, and Musheno demonstrate that the academic study of international policy, law, security, and governance translates to the curiosity, discipline, and insight needed beyond the classroom to understand and improve the systems that shape our world.

(Image 1: David Glick outside the American Enterprise Institute; Image 2: Nazmee Kamal, on the right, with other interns in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, where the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts offices are located; Image 3: Carter Musheno meets the President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.)