The daughter of a US Air Force fighter pilot, Madeline O’Mara says her family moved around the country during her childhood. “It was great to see so much of the country and really understand and appreciate how different and unique each place is,” she says. While at Notre Dame, Madeline majored in Political Science and earned the NDISC certified along the way Now a data scientist working with the Department of Defense, we were excited to sit down with Madeline to hear her story.
Why did you go to Notre Dame?
I knew I was going to get an amazing education at Notre Dame, no matter what I decided to study. I also really wanted to continue my Catholic education in a school where faith is truly a part of the culture and mission.
Why did you decide to study international relations?
I decided to study international relations at the end of my university career. I majored in Business Sciences until my first year. That all changed when I studied abroad in London and interned as a Member of Parliament. I loved both the internship and the British politics class that came with it, and I realized that if I wanted to study political science and pursue a career in that field, I needed to switch majors immediately in order to graduate on time. I was nervous about changing careers so late, but I had a feeling it was the right choice. I’m so glad I did.
How did you discover NDISC?
I first learned about NDISC through Professor Dan Lindley—I took his US Foreign Policy course in the spring of my freshman year and he encouraged me to attend NDISC conferences based on some of the interests he had shared in his class. I met Professor Michael Desch and the other teachers while attending the seminars, and I officially became an NDISC fellow in my senior year. Before I learned about NDISC, I didn’t realize that Notre Dame had a specific program that really focused on the subjects I was interested in.
Was there a specific class that resonated with you?
My favorite class was US National Security Policymaking. It was a great overview of the most important issues in the field of national security, and I still think a lot about the things I learned in that course. It was also co-taught by three of my favorite professors: Michael Desch, Dan Lindley and Eugene Gholz—So it was great to learn from all of them at the same time, and always entertaining.
While at Notre Dame, you held several internships, including at the Department of Justice, the US House of Representatives, and the UK Parliament. What did you learn from these roles?
I was fortunate to experience different parts of the national security apparatus through my internship. My internship as a member of the House of Representatives gave me insight into local issues, especially those facing veterans. My internship in Parliament gave me an insight into the foreign policy of one of our closest allies. My internship at the DOJ was probably the most insightful, as I began working on domestic security issues. All of my internships have helped me better understand homeland security.
After Notre Dame, you continued your security studies with a master’s degree at Georgetown. How did NDISC prepare you?
I worked full time and attended Georgetown part time for my Masters in Security Studies. It was an incredibly busy three years, but I was very prepared for the course at Georgetown thanks to NDISC. NDISC ensured that I had a very solid foundation in not only IR theory and the basics of military analysis, but also prepared me for some of my more advanced classes at Georgetown.
You now work at Booz Allen Hamilton, working with the Department of Defense and the US Government. How do you bring your NDISC education to work with you?
At Booz Allen, I have been fortunate to support several different clients in roles that require different skills, which has given me additional insight into the national security apparatus. My roles have ranged from Middle East-focused all-source analysis to organizational strategy. NDISC’s encouragement of critical thinking and problem solving, variety of topics, and emphasis on theory have allowed me to succeed in all of these positions.
What would you say to someone who is considering NDISC but isn’t sure it’s the right fit?
Join, you won’t regret it! When I joined NDISC as a second semester student, I had no idea that I was going to meet some of my best friends and future colleagues. There’s something for everyone at NDISC – you can really make the experience whatever you want it to be. In the process, you’ll make great friends and have amazing mentors. A strong foundation in foreign policy and national security issues can help you in a variety of careers, even if you don’t want to come to DC!
Originally Posted by at ndisc.nd.edu activated June 1, 2023.
