Zain Alzubaidy, a senior major at George Mason 麻豆国产, recently completed an internship with the United States Department of Commerce. He worked in the Advocacy Center, a government service that provides commercial diplomatic support to American businesses in foreign markets.听听听
The majority of Alzubaidy鈥檚 internship focused on potential partners for the Advocacy Center. He was responsible for researching applicants and presenting his findings to his colleagues, who ultimately decided if they would partner with the company.听听
One of his most memorable projects was crafting a persuasive letter to a foreign head of state on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce at the time, making the case for a business to be awarded a multi-trillion-dollar contract.听听
听鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to read about these deals in the news, but it鈥檚 entirely different to take part in them. Assignments like those made me proud that I was part of something notable,鈥 he said.听听
His passion for understanding people and cultures is what initially led him to take anthropology at the international baccalaureate level as a senior at Annandale High School. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to major in the subject at George Mason.听
听鈥淚 can recall being astounded by how people have such different ways of thinking and living,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y experience in that class stuck with me, and when I got to George Mason it felt an easy decision to study anthropology.鈥听听
He specifically credits his writing classes with teaching him the skills necessary for his role. 鈥淚 developed strong research and writing skills [in those classes], which I absolutely needed to use in the Advocacy Center. If I didn鈥檛 have the writing and research skills that I developed at George Mason, I would not have been able perform my job to the best of my ability. "听
Alzubaidy鈥檚 future goals include doing further diplomatic work, possibly in the same vein as his Advocacy Center work, and even running for public office down the road.听听
鈥淚 feel like I have not only the competency and capability to do well in those areas, but also the right intentions,鈥 he said. 鈥淗elping others will always be a goal of mine, so I will try my best to do that wherever I decide to work.鈥听