University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies

Cultivating a Global Perspective While Making a Local Impact

Students come to the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver to make a measurable difference in the world. From day one, they participate in scholarship and activities that build practical skills for a solution-focused career, through required internships with various hands-on projects, engaging with guest speakers, and completing comprehensive in-class simulations. 

“We prepare students to address real-world community needs through a lot of applied learning in the classroom and local and global internships,” says Rae Ann Bories-Easley, director of the Office of Career and Professional Development. “We’re committed to helping students build their networks as well as their resumes.”

As proof of that commitment, the Korbel School annually provides funding for students who earn unpaid internships. Launching in the fall of 2024, a new program will fund local internships in the state of Colorado in the areas of health, education, economic opportunity, disaster response, and environmental stewardship.

Career and Professional Development staff are dedicated solely to Korbel School students, resulting in a high staff-to-student ratio. Giving students tailored and individual attention accelerates their success in their program by assisting with goal setting, applying for internships, and preparing for life beyond the classroom.

Faculty members create an engaging academic environment by being experts in their fields, helping students find resume-worthy projects, and bringing in frequent guest speakers. They also serve as mentors, checking in with students on their internships and career searches and continuing to provide advice to alums well after graduation.

As one of the few international affairs programs in the Mountain West, job recruiters, thought leaders, and high-level officials from top agencies, private companies, and nongovernmental organizations travel specifically to visit the Korbel School. Students can personally interact with the broader international affairs community in a way that’s not available in other places.

“There’s a meaningful sense of community at the Korbel School between students, faculty, alumni, and thought leaders hanging out in the hallways and talking with each other about current events,” Bories-Easley says. “Many of our students have jobs on campus as research assistants or they stay to work on group projects together. Our alumni really keep up with their cohort of peers and their professors and build a lifelong network.”

Whether it’s making the world more inclusive, responding to security threats, advancing social justice, or combating climate change, Korbel School students are taking on the significant challenges of the times through a global perspective while making an impact locally and beyond.

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A Professional Network to Last a Lifetime

From Denver to the farthest reaches of the globe, the Korbel School network serves as a living resource for students long after graduation day.
>>>Colorado has one of the highest concentrations of nonprofit organizations in the country, and Denver offers students the opportunity to engage with local, state, and federal government agencies.
>>>The Korbel School’s Career and Professional Development staff offers one-on-one advising for applying to fellowships, and it regularly hosts job fairs, employer site visits, and real-world simulations.
>>>Many local alumni mentor current students, while the annual DC Career Connections program sends students to Washington, DC, for site visits and in-person networking opportunities with alumni who are based there.
>>>Korbel School graduates leave not only with a degree and hands-on practical experience, but also with access to networks that will last a lifetime.

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University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
https://korbel.du.edu
[email protected]
303-871-2324