Margaret (Meg) Lillis is an intern for the International Trade Administration’s Global Markets, Office of Africa. In this Q&A, Meg writes about her experience as a summer intern for the Department of Commerce and what’s next for her. This is the fifth installment of a seven-part series. 

Can you share a little bit about yourself and why you chose the U.S. Department of Commerce for your internship?

I am a Master's in International Relations student at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, where I concentrate on China and development. This summer I am interning with the International Trade Administration’s Global Markets Office of Africa. Because of the growth potential of the continent and China’s significant investment in it, I chose this internship to better understand the work the United States is doing to build its own relationships and influence. I also wanted a chance to focus on studying the region, learning about it from a business perspective, and learning from those with a lot of experience working in certain countries in Africa.  

I am originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, and attended Lafayette College as an undergrad. After making DC home, I have enjoyed staying active with the Washington Field Hockey Association and biking around the city. My 9-year-old rescue cat, Leo, has kept himself busy watching birds and roaming around my AdMo garden since he moved in with me in February!

What have you been working on during your internship?

I have been primarily working with the Foreign Commercial Service teams in Africa performing market research for U.S. companies looking to expand into African countries. This research includes understanding whether the local populations would have a need/desire for the products or services, and if so, which companies already operate in the country that would be competitors or potential partners for the U.S. company. If there seems to be a market for the product or service, the FCS Officers can arrange meetings and site visits for the U.S. company. I have also worked with the U.S. headquarters team as they prepare briefing materials ahead of conferences and meetings. For example, I helped prepare one for Deputy Assistant Secretary Richardson to use for a panel discussion in Marrakech.

What have you learned during this internship that you can apply in the future?

Gaining an understanding of the preparation required for each meeting and statement has been invaluable. I did not realize how many people work behind the scenes to ensure that messaging and statements are coherent and do not contradict the work and messaging of other departments. Further, I learned how committed the United States is to helping American companies do business abroad. This has greatly influenced my understanding of U.S. trade policy and decision-making.