Summer Internship 2004; International Trade Administration (ITA) and Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)

Alissa Tompkins, Senior, Textile and Apparel Management

During the summer of 2004, I had the opportunity to intern for the United States Department of Commerce in Washington DC. As a political intern, I served under the International Trade Administration (ITA) for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing, Joseph Bogosian. I also worked on research projects for the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA).

During the 10-week program I was able to work on numerous projects, helping to gain insight on all of the intense work that goes on at the U.S. Department of Commerce. One of the major projects I worked on for ITA involved replying to thousands of U.S. citizens, many of whom were employed by U.S. manufacturing companies that had concerns about trade and U.S. jobs moving offshore. Several of the letters were from NC citizens that are employed by small manufacturing companies in our state. I helped to draft a letter that was eventually sent to all those who had expressed concern. Once the letter was drafted, it was sent all over the DOC to gain approval by various Deputy Assistant Secretaries, as well as the Under Secretary of ITA, Grant Aldonas.

Alissa Tompkins, Senior, TXM and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Donald Evans

I also worked on a team to help implement the first ever Manufacturing Initiative, which included; unfair trade practices, China enforcement, intellectual property rights, and anti-dumping. Commerce’s Manufacturing Initiative is used to help address the significant competitive challenges facing American manufacturing. In March 2003, Commerce Secretary Don Evans outlined an aggressive Administration agenda to cement the role of manufacturing as a driving force in increasing productivity, economic growth, and living standards.

I also had the opportunity to work on a major research project for OTEXA. Working under International Trade Specialist Mary Lynn Landgraf, I developed a comprehensive research project on geo-textiles and their use in reducing evaporation. The project focused on The Great Man-Made River project, located in Libya. After a great deal of research, I was able to collaborate with top U.S. geo-textiles manufacturers to help promote U.S. Textiles internationally.

While working with OTEXA, I also acted as a liaison for The College of Textiles. OTEXA was compiling research information on medical textiles, and I was able to give them contact information for Professor Dr. Martin King, whom I knew was an expert in the field. He was given the opportunity to visit the DOC in late August and discuss forming a potential partnership to help promote the export of U.S. medical textile products.

Alissa Tompkins, Senior, TXM and Joseph Bogosian, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing, ITA

The proudest moment I had during my internship experience was during a discussion with one of the Directors from OTEXA, Larry Brill. He commented that NC State’s College of Textiles was the “Harvard” of textile colleges, which I believe to be extremely true. The College of Textiles is one of a kind, and his comment made me feel exceptionally honored to be a part of the best textile college in the world.

Looking back on my experience, I am extremely grateful. The office that I worked in was absolutely amazing. I met some of the most interesting and incredible people, including Commerce Secretary Don Evans. There is nothing like seeing the Washington monument everyday through your office window or passing the White House on your way home from work. Washington D.C. is such a remarkable city, and I feel extremely thankful for having the opportunity to live and work in the nation’s capital.

College of Textiles
P.O. Box 8301
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301
Telephone: (919) 515-6646
FAX: (919) 515-3733
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Last Site Revision:
November 11, 2004