Employer Info Session: Careers with the U.S Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), often referred to as “the most important agency most Americans have never heard of,” is a licensing, regulatory, and enforcement agency that advances U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and by promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership and a strong defense industrial base. BIS administers and enforces the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and reexport of commercial commodities and technology, as well as less sensitive military items. BIS also houses a team of special enforcement agents and analysts, singularly focused on preventing sensitive U.S. technologies and goods from being used for malign purposes. BIS has become the center point for numerous important and complex challenges, in what President Biden has called “…the battle between democracies and autocracies.” According to 2022 Annual Threat Assessment, competition and potential conflict between nation-states remains a critical national security threat. China increasingly is a near-peer competitor, challenging the United States—especially economically, militarily, and technologically—and pushing to change global norms and potentially threatening its neighbors. In Ukraine, we can see the results of Russia’s increased willingness to use military threats and force to impose its will on neighbors. Iran will remain a regional challenge with broader malign influence activities, and North Korea will expand its WMD capabilities while being a disruptive player on the regional and world stages. At BIS, Policy makers, Analysts and Special Agents must work together to target nefarious actors and craft multinational policy. BIS is looking for problem solvers who can navigate a complex scientific and technological landscape and propose creative solutions that not only support U.S. national defense, but also ensures the health of the U.S. economy and the competitiveness of U.S. industry. Teresa Telesco, along with GW alumnae Gabriella Carney and Miranda Sieg, will be visiting GW’s Elliott School to discuss their work in the International Operations Division, Export Administration, and Strategic Intelligence Division, respectively.