Schar student’s summer internship at Capitol Hill is a slam dunk

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Arnold C. Dupuy

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Livija Kaktaite started her journey at George Mason University in 2018 as an undergraduate global affairs major. This past May, she graduated with her master's in international security from the Schar School of Policy and Government. During her time as a Patriot, she also played point guard and shooting guard on the women's basketball team. Now as an alum, she continues to run up the hill-Capitol Hill.

Livija Kaktaite. Photo provided

"I'm currently interning for Representative Ann Wagner from Missouri (R-2nd). I attend [House] Foreign Affairs [Committee] hearings, take notes, and write memos. The best part about this internship is that you get as much out of it as you put in," said Kaktaite, who is from Lithuania. "You could answer phones and make coffee, or you can be proactive and ask your colleagues 'How can I help you?'"

Before getting her current position, Kaktaite reached out to a fellow George Mason alum Ted Dubuque, BA International Relations '22, who is the staff assistant to Rep. Wagner. Dubuque, like Kaktaite, completed the Global Politics Fellows program while at George Mason.

"I wanted to learn about his experience, so we had a call on LinkedIn. He asked if I would want to interview with him for an internship and I ended up getting selected," said Kaktaite, who also emphasized the importance of networking on Capitol Hill.

Along with her internship, Kaktaite is working with Schar School professor Arnold Dupuy on a NATO Science and Technology organization assignment, which dovetails with her interested in aerospace and security. Dupuy, who was working on multiple projects in the energy security field, gave Kaktaite the opportunity to work as a coordinator on the virtual workshop symposium being held.

Livija Kaktaite on Capitol Hill. Photo provided.

The internship and NATO assignment both provide practical work experience that will help her with her job search in the future.

One of the biggest lessons Kaktaite has learned from her internship so far is how important it is to understand the wide-ranging American perspective, the innerworkings of Congress, and how legislation is made, she said.

"I talk to constituents from Missouri, and I get very polarized opinions. You just have to understand the broad perspectives, needs, and concerns of everyday people," said Kaktaite.

Following her time on Capitol Hill, Kaktaite will intern at the Lithuanian Embassy where she is participating in a NATO simulation as a representative of her native country.

"All of the participants will submit one page of their priorities and then we try to negotiate with each other and reach consensus. If we reach consensus then three people selected will be able to present it to a group of academics-generals from NATO, people from think tanks, ambassadors," explained Kaktaite.

Kaktaite came to George Mason with the hopes of being a professional basketball player. She even played professionally in Lithuania earlier this year.

"I played the season, and it just wasn't the same," said Kaktaite. "I'm way more passionate about international security diplomacy now. I can be more impactful there, and I am able to translate the skills that I learned in basketball, like the importance of teamwork, into my career."