Dylan Vest

Experience

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  West Virginia University

  Mar 2017 - Mar 2017

  Study Abroad Participant

  I displayed initiative and leadership on a spring break trip to Rome and Florence while assessing Italian culture, history, architecture, and globalization through group discussion and projects

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  The European International Model United Nations

  Jul 2017 - Jul 2017

  Model United Nations Delegate

  One of six West Virginia University students selected to attend TEIMUNEnhanced debate, public speaking, technical writing, collaboration, and critical thinking skills by creating resolutions that addressed tensions in the Balkans while representing Lithuania on the simulated NATO councilSuccessfully exercised composure, resourcefulness, information integration, good judgement, and initiative by collaborating with fellow delegates to organize NATO military and diplomatic strategy during a simulated crisis where Russia invaded the Balkans during our conference meetings.Practiced self-confidence and independence by leading friends on independent travel in Amsterdam Show less

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  West Virginia University

  Aug 2017 - May 2020

  One of two students selected on campus to tutor French for the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsExercised patience, empathy, and composure by tutoring three to four walk-in students eight hours per weekEnhanced linguistic and intercultural competences by expanding students’ linguistic understanding in an appropriate cultural contextHighlighted the similarities and differences between French and English and their respective cultures to fortify students’ understanding of coursework Show less Collaborated with a team of 40 New Student Orientation Leaders to guide students, answer questions, and resolve conflicts that arose during an intensive month of New Student Orientation, a program during the summer when West Virginia University welcomed over 5,000 new studentsOne of five newly hired Orientation Leaders selected to recruit by calling 60 to 80 prospective students per shift at the Student Call Center to encourage them to apply and to guide them through the application processRepresented West Virginia University at open house events while fostering connections with new studentsOne of ten Ambassadors selected to speak in front of 300 new students daily during Summer 2019 to convey values such as diversity and respect on campus Show less

  • French Tutor

    Aug 2019 - May 2020

  • Student Ambassador, West Virginia University Office of Admissions

    May 2019 - May 2020

  • Tutor at Student Support Services/TRiO

    Aug 2017 - May 2020

  • Tutor, West Virginia University Office of Student Success

    Aug 2017 - May 2020
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  U.S. Department of State

  May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Intern

  Performed a competitive unpaid internship with the Bureau of West Africa AffairsOne of 12% of applicants selected from across the United States to use resourcefulness and resilience in order to perform a full-time, unpaid internshipExercised event planning and organizational skills while volunteering outside of scope to plan the 2018 The African Growth and Opportunity Act SummitStrengthened information integration analysis by writing concise briefings for high-level meetingsFortified technical writing by drafting letters written for the U.S. president and Secretary of StateAmplify adaptability through diverse tasks given within the bureauDemonstrated strong communication and data analysis skills while prepping U.S. officials for ambassador confirmations.Mobilized cross cultural communication by interacting with foreign dignitaries and maintaining healthy professional relationsWelcomed constructive criticism for work produced within the bureau Show less

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  U.S. Department of State

  May 2021 - Jul 2021

  Intern

  Worked with the Western Europe (WE) unit of the Office of Press and Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR/PPD) for my domestic internship as a 2020 Thomas R. Pickering FellowPracticed Foreign Service writing skills, information integration and analysis, and quantitative analysis by writing briefing memos, invitation memos, twitter building blocks, drafting fireside chats, drafting bio tabs, and other paper for principals Strengthened composure, team collaboration, writing skills, information integration and analysis, planning, and resourcefulness, by responding to urgent and rapid taskers in preparation for the Secretary’s trip to Berlin, Paris, and Rome in June 2021Took initiative and practiced leadership, resourcefulness, and judgment by taking leads on taskers and filling in for public diplomacy desk officers when on leaveLearned and adapted quickly to bureaucratic processes such as the clearance process to move paperReceived EUR’s Goblet Award for the week of June 26: my team received this award for our work in preparing the Secretary’s travel to Berlin, Paris, Rome, Matera, and the Holy See. The team responded to changing conditions and short turnaround taskings to produce and clear a buzzard of trip paper to support high level meetings, public outreach events, press availabilities, prepared remarks, Q&As, social media content, and trip announcements to cover all aspects of the Secretary’s multifaceted diplomatic engagementsNominated for a Certificate of Appreciation Award by EUR/PPD for my performance during my internship Show less

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  Penn State School of International Affairs

  Aug 2021 - May 2022

  Peer Advisor

  Served as the Peer Advisor for the Class of 2023 SIA cohort of 86 studentsEnhanced organization skills by working on New Student Orientation programming and assisting with incoming student administrative tasks such as new student surveys and foreign language proficiency form processing Practiced leadership, objectivity, integrity, and resourcefulness through academic advising dutiesGained leadership and planning skills through student affairs responsibilities such as leading the Peer Mentor program, organizing at least 1 outing per semester, promoting ideas for monthly gatherings, and assisting with the mentor-mentee matching program for incoming classExercised planning, public speaking, and project execution skills through organizing a graduate school survival 101 panel, implementing a buddy system, organizing a world trivia night, and helping with graduation planning Show less

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  U.S. Department of State

  May 2022 - now

  I completed my overseas internship remotely as part of my Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship. I interned with the public affairs section of U.S. Embassy Suva. I practiced written communication, editing, planning and organization, objectivity, and good judgement by editing daily media summaries, monitoring embassy social media engagement, working on public affairs section events, drafting press releases and talking points, and assisted with Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowship programs. I also created a presentation on applying for U.S scholarship and university programs to help local audiences create competitive applications. This event was held on Facebook live and had over 1,000 views. Schools across our accredited countries tuned in live for the event. Show less

  • Vice Consul

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Foreign Service Officer

    Sept 2022 - now

  • Thomas R. Pickering Fellow

    Nov 2019 - Sept 2022

  • Intern

    May 2022 - Jul 2022