Fall 2012  

Back to home page

Washington University in
St. Louis

Department of Anthropology

Arts & Sciences

College of Arts & Sciences

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Archived
Issues

 

Tackling World Affairs in the Nation's Capital
by Hannah Lloyd, AB 2009

Hannah Lloyd (seated in the middle behind U.S. Senator Carl Levin) attended a 2009 hearing to receive testimony on the situation in Libya. Witnesses were Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen.

As an undergraduate at Washington University, I coupled my anthropology course work with a major in African and African-American studies. I learned that among my true passions were the exploration of different cultures and groups of people, and finding solutions to conflicts in various areas of the world. As I approached graduation, I really had no idea where I wanted to end up. I knew that I had always been something of a political junkie and that I cared a great deal about government and injustices going on in the world. I decided that Washington, D.C., was as good a place as any to begin my post-Washington University life.

I started as an unpaid intern in U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan's (D-Mo.) office in the summer of 2009. From research and drafting opening statements to attending briefings and meetings, I had a tremendous amount of room to explore various policy areas. Time and time again, I found myself completely absorbed in international affairs and international security. From the interactions of various world leaders to conflict zones and arms control, I loved the constantly shifting puzzle pieces that world politics had to offer and I became hooked.

In the fall of 2009, I realized that it was time to begin the job hunt for a position in which I could earn a salary, but also find some sort of professional fulfillment. I loved the energy of Capitol Hill and decided that, if it was possible, I'd like to stay there. It was. I applied for a staff assistant position with the Senate Armed Services Committee and became an employee in September 2009.

As a staff assistant, I am responsible for researching various issues for professional staff members as well as senators. My research portfolio includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, NATO, nuclear weapons, and intelligence. It is incredible to be working on these issues, and assisting in hearings and briefings that involve some of the most complex, sensitive, and difficult problems our country faces today. From classified briefings on Iran to assisting in the debates surrounding the passage of the New START Treaty, I am keenly aware of the amazing opportunities that I have had through this job.

I really do not believe that I would have the perspective or sensitivity to do my job and participate in international security were it not for my studies in anthropology. When looking at a war zone, it is just as important (if not more so) to be familiar with different cultures and societal traditions as it is to be familiar with the weapons systems that insurgents employ. For instance, in Afghanistan, we have learned that it is very important to train women to participate with Afghan soldiers in operations. Because of societal norms and cultural sensitivities, it was unacceptable to many Afghans to have male soldiers searching or questioning female civilians. The newly trained female soldiers have helped to defuse some of the tensions that have been caused by this problem. Anthropology taught me analytical skills, critical thinking, the importance of having an open mind, and the ability to accept differences among people.

I began attending graduate school at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service this fall to get my master's degree in international security.