SU students excited about state dept. positions in Italy and China

Southern University will be represented globally this summer by two political science students heading to Italy and China.

Senior Jarquevious Nelson and graduate student Willie Williams III will be developing their careers as interns with the U.S. Consulates offices in the two countries.

Nelson, an Atlanta native, will be returning to China for the second time when he interns at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. He will be working in the Political and Economic Section. Nelson studied abroad in China during the summer of 2010 with the University of Utah, visiting North China. This time he will be in South China.

Nelson, 22, thought he had a 50-50 shot at the second internship but says “I prayed often about it so I was pretty sure I was going to get it.” He says his parents are ecstatic that he will be returning to China.

Port Allen native Willie Williams will spend 10 weeks in Naples, Italy working with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Consulate. Most of his duties in the Office of Public Affairs will be a combination of public affairs activity, cultural work and communicating with U.S. government efforts to confront ideological support for terrorism.

Williams, 25, says he is not nervous about leaving the country for the first time but anxious “to get there to experience a ‘new world’.” He says that his parents are as thrilled and pleased with his opportunity.

Both students were introduced to the internships from Blanche Smith, assistant professor and internship and placement director in the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs.

Nelson and Williams believe their internships will benefit the university. “Being there will let people know that Southern stays true to the mission of “achieving high-quality and global educational experience,” Williams said.

Nelson said, “I will be wearing my Southern shirt” to let China know that “SU produces students with open minds… and the ability to tackle pressing issues.”

Nelson hopes that this internship will open the door to a career in the State Department and Williams’ ultimate goal is to become a U.S. ambassador.