Alexa: Could you tell us about your current position as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the NSC?

 

Amanda: My name is Amanda Mansour. I oversee the public engagement directorate of the National Security Council (NSC). 

 

During the Biden administration, there was a real interest in creating a formal way for all kinds of expert stakeholders and other interested communities, both domestically in the United States and internationally, to be able to communicate with the National Security Council. For a long time, the National Security Council, I think, has really suffered from its opacity. 

 

I think there was a lot of our story that was not being told, but there also wasn't really a direct channel for people who had important questions to be able to ask those questions. And for people who had a lot of experience, a lot of expertise, a wide range of diverse perspectives, to be able to share that with us so that we could take it into consideration in the policy formulation process. So the Biden-Harris Administration created this Directorate as a formal channel to ensure that diverse groups of voices are being considered and also informed about how our policy is being both created and implemented.

 

We also have a much more formal mechanism to generate and support public-private partnerships that support our foreign policy and national security goals. And through that process, we also ensure that all the different federal agencies with missions centered around foreign policy and national security share collective knowledge resources and feel more empowered to use public-private partnerships as a part of their toolkit. And then finally, we have tried to do a little bit more coordination in terms of all the federal agencies, and there are actually quite a few, who communicate with foreign public audiences. 

 

So you think about the State Department, of course, doing a lot of public diplomacy. As well as the Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, in terms of trying to bring US products to foreign audiences. Same with the Department of Agriculture, Peace Corps, or Voice of America. I mean, the list just goes on. So making sure all of the government agencies are on the same page and doing things that are mutually supportive of one another. So, I run the team that does all of those different things. And I think it's been personally rewarding, and a really high impact operation.

 

Cassian: How did you get into public service early in your career? What are some of the challenges in finding jobs in national security service?

 

Amanda: I'm nearing my 20-year anniversary in federal service, and I'm 41 years old. I started working in the federal government right after graduating from college, starting with work in the Senate. 

 

The job landscape in foreign policy and national security is vast, and understanding what's available is a challenge. The distinction between domestic and foreign policy has blurred significantly, broadening the demand for varied expertise, including experts like meteorologists and tech specialists.

 

Applying for these jobs can be daunting. USAJobs, although improving, often feels like a black box. Efforts by the Administration, for example creating www.NatSec.USAjobs.gov and www.intelligencecareers.gov, have helped consolidate and streamline the job search process in our field. Additionally, fellowships like the Rangel and Pickering, and the Presidential Management Fellowship offer gateways into federal service. 

 

Another significant hurdle is the security clearance process, which can be slow and cumbersome, particularly for those with extensive foreign contacts or those from higher security risk regions. We're actively working to address inequities that arise in the clearance process.

 

Lastly, lifestyle choices, like recreational drug use, may disqualify candidates. It's crucial for aspirants, especially students, to make choices early on that facilitate their ability to get a security clearance, as these positions are highly competitive. And that’s the last point: The public sector's pay may not match the private sector, but the interest into these roles is high, so it’s importance to find ways to distinguish yourself in the application process.

 

Alexa: We inspire people to believe that anyone can be a leader, not just those from certain communities. This belief inspired me and all of us in the IN Network to pursue careers in foreign policy. Our goal is to help people, empower the youth, and create positive change in our society.  If people are inspired to pursue a career in public service, is there a particular background that they need?

 

Amanda: I remember my entry class, called A-100, into the Foreign Service—technically, I'm still a member of the diplomatic corps, even though I'm currently on loan to the White House. There were individuals with prestigious careers in law or master's degrees from top universities in international affairs. There were also people who had worked in fast food or other service industry jobs and didn't have a graduate degree or even a college degree. It's an exam-based system, so if you have the knowledge and soft skills, it really is a meritocracy in terms of who gets into the Foreign Service. When I served overseas, people would often ask if my parents were diplomats, and I would say, no, that's not how you get into the Foreign Service in the United States.

 

Cassian: I'd like to know, for a person from an underserved background who really wants to make it big and work for the government, how can they shape their life to take steps toward getting a job in national security or foreign service?

 

Amanda: I think there's a lot of research people can do to understand what the workforce looks like in their area of interest. Reaching out and meeting people who currently work in that field can give you a sense of what roles are suitable for you, the best ways to apply, and what skills and expertise are most valued. Then work on acquiring those skills and expertise.

 

When I mention soft skills or executive skills, I mean strong writing skills, the ability to read and analyze a lot of information, and the ability to communicate concisely and clearly. Time management, relationship management, and networking are also important.  Entry-level jobs don’t expect you to be an expert; you’re expected to gain expertise as you go. Basic professional skills are what will make you successful in your early roles. To the extent possible, reach out to people and ask for informational interviews.

 

Contact people through alumni or other networks, or even cold emails to people you see online or on LinkedIn. Politely express your interest in their work, and ask for advice on how to pursue a similar path. People love talking about themselves and sharing their journeys and achievements. If you frame it that way, they may be eager to help and flattered by your interest. And remember, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. If someone ignores your email, you lose nothing. 

 

Alexa: Do you have any advice for the youth and women on how they can get involved in national security and become strong representatives for women's empowerment in politics, foreign policy, or leadership in general?

Amanda: The youth perspective is crucial for the longevity of our institutions. The sooner we can get young people involved and make them feel that this is an important calling, the better our public service team will be.

 

Regarding women, not including them in any field is like leaving half your team on the bench. Women are half of our workforce and have the potential to excel in any area.

Additionally, women often bring different perspectives than their male counterparts. Among other things, having been overlooked or underappreciated, women can recognize when others are in similar positions.

 

Recently, I read a memoir of a woman intelligence officer in Afghanistan who noticed during a patrol there were no children playing outdoors in a village – something none of her male counterparts noticed –, which turned out to be an indicator that they were about to be ambushed. Her observation allowed her patrol to find a way to protect themselves. This is obviously just one small example. 

 

We also try to bring a gender lens to all of our national security work, and woman are a valuable part of that process. 

 

But more broadly, including different perspectives which may come from gender, religion, race, or other identities can bring valuable insights. We aim to represent America, and the more our agencies reflect America’s own diversity, the better we can represent American interests. One of the President’s priorities has been to create a more diverse national security workforce to address both the need for technical skills and the underrepresentation of certain groups within the national security enterprise, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve already made, but there is more work to be done.

 

Alexa: What do you think the youth can do to get involved in these public forums or government? How can they be inspired to speak about these issues within their local communities?

Amanda: First of all, this isn't exactly the answer to your question, but I want to give a little PSA: the first thing you can and should do, if you're 18 and over, is vote. People should vote. In the United States and almost everywhere with free and fair elections, youth are very unreliable voters. They're excited, but they don't turn out as consistently as older voters. As a result, election results tend to favor more established, older views.  Older citizens also bring important perspectives, but youth need to show up in greater numbers.

 

Number two, be informed. Keep yourself apprised of what's going on. Make sure your media diet is diverse, like your food diet. Get information from various sources. Read at least one long-form article a week to deepen your understanding. Find a few people you respect who align with your fundamental beliefs and follow them.

 

To feel empowered, you need to be knowledgeable. Many people feel unqualified to discuss foreign policy, but it's like anything else—you learn by reading and focusing on it. Subscribe to reputable publications like The Economist or Foreign Affairs, or read the international section of your newspaper. Avoid relying solely on social media for information.

 

Beyond that, there are many ways young people can get involved. There are more internships available in foreign policy and national affairs, many of which are now paid. This makes these internships a more realistic options for people whose socioeconomic background would not allow them to intern for free. 

 

There are also civil society organizations focused on foreign affairs that cater to different political orientations. These organizations do great programming – we send our WH officials to speak to them frequently –and are eager for youth involvement from across the country. Many of these groups offer free, often virtual programming on international relations, anti-isolationism, and bipartisan cooperation. I encourage people to check out these opportunities to get involved and learn more.

 

Cassian: How is it working with different types of presidential administrations and beliefs? How does your work change? Does it get impacted, and how do you adapt to these changes?

 

Amanda: The majority of our foreign policy and national security workforce are career professionals who serve through many administrations. I've been in the government for 20 years. My career began in the Senate, which was a very partisan environment.  I joined State Department during the George W. Bush administration, worked through both Obama terms, stayed on during the Trump years, and now I'm in the Biden Administration.

 

You touched on it, and the answer is that many aspects of our work remain the same. Our bilateral relationships are often based on mutual interests and values that don't change from president to president. Trade relationships, countering transnational crimes, and other priorities often remain consistent. However, some things do change. For example, my last job was as the US spokesperson in Taiwan, and the Trump Administration's shift in posture on the US-China relationship had a significant impact on my role.

 

The institution is like a giant ship that doesn't change course quickly. There is a joking tension between political appointees and career people, where each thinks the other doesn’t fully understand the job. However, it's the balance between new ideas from political appointees and the continuity from career professionals that ensures innovation while maintaining stability.

 

I’d also note that working for the government is like working for any organization in that there will be policies you agree with and those you don't. To stay in federal service, you need a degree of faith in the institutions and the overall set of interests and values driving policy decisions. If you ever feel that you can no longer support these values, it might be time to consider moving to a new job, which is completely fine. Most people regularly check themselves to ensure they're on board with the overall project. I feel very proud and inspired by the work we're doing in my office and this Administration.