Internship Opening: U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC)

The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC) has ongoing openings for Research 

Interns, and is dedicated to maintaining a diverse workforce with a wide variety of backgrounds and 

expertise. 

ABOUT THE COMMISSION:

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) was created by the United States 

Congress in October 2000 with the legislative mandate to monitor, investigate, and submit to Congress an 

annual report on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between 

the United States and the People’s Republic of China, and to provide recommendations, where appropriate, 

to Congress for legislative and administrative action.

The U.S.-China Commission shall investigate and report exclusively on each of the following areas:

1. Proliferation Practices 5.   Regional Economic and Security Impacts

2. Economic Transfers 6.   U.S.-China Bilateral Programs

3. Energy 7.   WTO Organization Compliance

4. Access to U.S. Capital Markets 8.   Freedom of Expression

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Research, monitor, and conduct analysis on developments primarily in China, Taiwan, and the 

western Pacific Region.  

2. Work with USCC staff on the planning and preparation for the Commission’s public hearings, 

report editing sessions, and other meetings.

3. Attend seminars, meetings, and events on behalf of the USCC, and write memorandum to 

Commissioners and staff members.

4. Monitor and report on current events and emerging topics-of-interest relating to the Commission’s 

mandate through research and fact-checking.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be a U.S. citizen, or have applied for U.S. citizenship and naturalization.

2. Must be current college junior or senior, or a recent graduate of an undergrad program.

3. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) at the current or last institution 

attended.

4. Must have coursework in one or more of the following areas:

a. Economics & Trade: coursework with a focus on Chinese and/or broader Asian business, 

economics, and trade.

b. General Research: coursework with a focus on Chinese and/ or broader Asian culture, 

society, and language.

c. Military & Security: coursework with a focus on Chinese and/or broader Asian international 

relations, foreign affairs, and security studies.

5. Chinese language skills – reading, writing, and/or speaking – are highly desirable.

USCC Internships are intellectually challenging and require individual initiative and an ability to monitor and 

report on current events and issues.  Strong research and communications skills – writing and oral – are 

essential.

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES

2013 SESSIONS APPLICATION DEADLINE

Spring 2013

(January – May)

November 4, 2012

Summer 2013

(June – August)

April 7, 2013

Fall 2013

(September – December)

July 21, 2013

The US-China Economic & Security Review Commission is an EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or age, and is dedicated to maintaining a diverse workforce with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise.

HOW TO APPLY

A complete application package containing ALL required documents below must be sent via email to 

internships@uscc.gov.  Please send all your documents in PDF format.  Incomplete packages will not be 

considered.

Your application package must include a:

1) COVER LETTER THAT INCLUDES:

Please list in the following order in bullet format.

 Your basic contact information

 Email address

 Phone number (whatever is most applicable)

 Permanent address  

 Session for which you are applying

 Spring 2013; Summer 2013; or, Fall 2013

 Availability

 Full-Time or Part-Time (include tentative work schedule & hours per week) 

 Brief statement outlining your interest in the USCC and our Internship program. 

 Brief statement addressing your research skills, knowledge and effective utilization of electronic and 

print information, especially sources regarding China, Taiwan, and the Asia-Pacific region. 

 If you are interested in completing this internship for-credit with your academic institution, please 

answer the following:

a. Name of the program, or class, and the affiliated academic institution

b. Contact information for a program administrator

c. Start/End dates of registration

d. Any other applicable information

 Provide concise, point-by-point responses to the following questions: 

1. Are you a United States Citizen, or have you applied for U.S. citizenship and naturalization?

If you have recently applied for U.S. citizenship and naturalization, please include: (a) date of 

citizenship if naturalized; and (b) if you have or have ever had a Federal security clearance 

identify the level and dates held. 

2. Are you proficient with using Microsoft Office Suite software applications, preferably Office 

2007 versions of MSWord, Excel, and Outlook? Updated 9/19/12

3. What is your primary area of interest? (a) Economics & Trade; (b) Military, Security & 

Foreign Affairs; or, (c) General Research.

4. Are you able to read and/or speak Mandarin Chinese? If yes, please indicate which and at 

what level: (a) beginner, (b) intermediate, (c) advanced, (d) native fluency. 

5. Have you ever travelled, lived or worked in the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, or 

Hong Kong? If yes, please elaborate on where, when and the circumstances. 

6. How/where did you hear about this position? 

2) PROFESSIONAL RESUME:

 Be sure to include all applicable work history, educational achievements, completed coursework, 

special honors/awards, and anything else that you feel will help in our evaluation.

3) WRITING PROMPT:

Discuss the three most important issues in U.S.-China relations today that relate to the 

Commission’s legislative mandate as outlined at: http://www.uscc.gov/about/charter.php.

Your submission must be your own work, not more than 3 pages, double spaced, 12-point font, and 

include footnotes and sources. 

4) 2 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
Please instruct your recommenders to email their letters directly to internships@uscc.gov.  

Recommendations will be attached to the respective application upon submission.

5) COPY OF ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS:

Unofficial academic transcripts are acceptable.  Please include the academic transcript from your 

current institution, and for recent graduates, the transcript from the school last attended.  

NOTE: ALL THE INFORMATION REQUESTED ABOVE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 

MIDNIGHT EST ON THE ‘APPLICATION DEADLINE’ DATE OR YOUR APPLICATION 

WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER APPLYING:

After submitting your application package for this position you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of 

your application materials.  Applications will be reviewed as received on a rolling basis or after the closing 

date. You will be contacted via phone and/or email if we wish to schedule a telephonic interview.

Applicants not selected for further consideration will be notified via email when the selection process for 

the current session has been completed.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Research Interns are paid $10.00 per hour. Applicants/selectees who are receiving credit for their 

Internship through an accredited academic program are not eligible for hourly compensation. The “Smart 

Benefits” transit subsidy program is available to all Interns, but no other benefits are authorized or available. 

Please send any questions regarding the program or application process to: internships@uscc.gov.

Any interested applicantsshould visit the job opportunities webpage at http://www.uscc.gov/jobopportunities.php  to learn more about the internship and how to apply.

The application deadline is November 4, 2012.