Around the Table with Courtney Blankenship

Around the Table is a three-question interview series from the Make Room email newsletter as a part of the CNAS Make Room initiative. Each edition features a conversation with a peer in the national security community to learn about their expertise and experience in the sector.

You have lived and studied in several countries—including a stint in Morocco with the Peace Corps. How has this experience affected your perspective and work?

One of the first lessons we learned in the Peace Corps was to make observations rather than judgements because things are not always as they seem and it’s important to have proper context. I believe this perspective carries exceptional weight when analyzing the foreign policy motivations of other countries, as viewing decisions through the lens of what America would do in the same situation can result in miscalculations. I have carried this lesson with me in the years since returning from Morocco, and it goes well beyond the foreign policy/national security space, extending into daily life and everyday interactions between friends, family, neighbors and classmates. It’s never too late to open your mind and acknowledge that you may have been operating on incomplete or outdated information.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far, and what keeps you motivated?

The opportunities I have had to learn other languages through programs like the Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship program, as well as the Peace Corps’ intensive language training prior to service, have opened the world to me in ways I never could have imagined both professionally and personally. In my case, learning Arabic has allowed me to communicate and connect more deeply with non-English speakers inside and outside of work, and it has also opened my eyes to new concepts and ways of thinking that may not carry as much meaning when translated into English. Along with establishing trust and increasing empathy, so much insight can be gained through language acquisition, including on culture, religion, and political nuance—and for me, the most rewarding part of my career thus far has been getting to meet and collaborate with people across sectors and countries to exchange ideas and find new ways to approach existing and emerging challenges. As a lifelong learner, I am motivated by constant curiosity and the belief that there is something to learn from everyone you meet, which is easier to do when you’re able to engage someone in conversation using the language they are most comfortable speaking.

How has mentorship influenced your career?

I have found that the career trajectory for someone entering the national security/foreign policy space is usually not a set timeline of specific achievements and requirements. The path varies by person, which can make international relations feel like an overwhelming field for those who don’t know where to begin. Growing up in a small Kansas town, I had a number of valuable mentors who helped me build the foundation that my professional life would later rely on. I would have never considered a career in the field, however, until my participation in the Kansas Women’s Leadership Institute as part of the State Department’s Study of the U.S. Institutes program. There, I learned the value of cultural exchange and the importance of having someone in your chosen field who you can lean on for guidance.

My own career trajectory has more closely resembled a pinball machine than a straight line as I have gained experience in a variety of roles. From working as a reporter for local Kansas newspapers to serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco—and from working as a research analyst at the Embassy of Bahrain to studying climate leadership at Tidelines Institute to working in nonprofit spaces on international project implementation—throughout each career shift, I have had mentors to guide me and help to fill gaps in my knowledge with new experiences.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations the author currently and previously has worked for.