For over thirty years, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI Fellowship has shaped the careers of senior military officers, government officials, and industry executives in the national security community by deepening their understanding of complex security challenges.
The program has had a lasting impact on Katie Burkhart, the Coast Guard’s Senior Advisor for Prevention Policy, who is deeply grateful for the experience and knowledge the fellowship gave her—and its extensive alumni network. She is one of many Coast Guard military and civilian members who have participated in the Fellowship since 1991.
MyCG sat down with Burkhart to discuss the fellowship’s impact and why more Coast Guard members—and civilians—should take advantage. Not long before our conversation, she told us, she sought advice from a Seminar XXI classmate on a policy question. “You end up with this incredible network” from the program, she said. “It is the premier fellowship opportunity. It’s a sophisticated curriculum and the best and brightest from across the interagency.”
With previous experience working in the office of Senator John Thune (R-SD), the Commandant’s Advisory Group (CAG), the State Department, and prior service in the US Navy, Seminar XXI was a natural next step in her career.
Fellowship alumni have gone on to serve as Coast Guard flag officers, Supreme Commanders of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allied Forces, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Civilian alumni include directors of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), senior Pentagon officials, and various ambassadors.
It’s no surprise, then, that Burkhart strongly recommends Seminar XXI to Coast Guard members and civilians alike. Beyond the networking benefits, she said, the program forces participants to think beyond their daily portfolios and broaden their horizons. Burkhart says that exposure has immense value. As a Seminar XXI participant at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, real-world events showed that “you can’t separate national security from other elements of governmental power.” She appreciated the diverse and thoughtful perspectives from colleagues outside the Department of Defense (DOD). Their perspectives—especially when combined with the distinct experiences and mission sets from the DOD—helped her see complex issues with fresh eyes.
The program, Burkhart added, is designed to balance well with participants’ full-time jobs. Because Seminar XXI is part-time, fellows can build their skills without stepping away from their work.
Coast Guard civilian employees, active-duty members, and reservists are encouraged to apply. Officers in or selected for paygrades O-5 to O-8 and civilian employees in grades GS-14 to SES are eligible. The Coast Guard will nominate up to three people from the Washington, D.C., area for Seminar XXI. While members from any location may apply, you must be stationed in the Washington, D.C., area during the program to participate. For instructions on how to apply, please see ALCOAST 057/25.
Ideal candidates will be strong communicators who can explain the Coast Guard’s evolving missions and broader role to a range of audiences. Burkhart’s advice to applicants is to think about their role at a high level and how their job “has an impact and operational effect on the service.” Explaining that impact in your application, she says, is critical.
“It is important to articulate [to the Coast Guard and MIT selection committees] why your work matters in the bigger picture, because that reinforces your value to this program,” she explained. “Everyone in the CG workforce plays a unique role in the national security community.”
If you are interested in this opportunity, applications are due to the Coast Guard’s selection panel on March 13. The panel will select up to three nominees and help them apply to MIT by April 15. Acceptances are issued in mid-June. Please bear in mind that multiple letters of recommendation are required and should be factored into your plans and timelines accordingly. For more information on the application process, please see the Coast Guard’s MIT Seminar XXI portal page.
Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to alumni, who you may locate on MIT’s website.
If you have any questions, contact Senior Education and Fellowship Program (SEFP) manager Lt. Cmdr. Emily Brockway. Stay tuned for further announcements about the application process.
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