Diplomacy Alumna Finds Her Path in National Security Media

Just a year after graduating, Madeline Field 24’ is already making her mark in Washington, D.C. as an assistant Editor at War on the Rocks, a prominent defense and national security publication. She now helps lead the outlet’s new Cogs of War vertical, which covers U.S. defense technology and industry.

In her role, she manages a wide range of editorial responsibilities, from early-stage edits and podcast scheduling to research, copyediting and developing social media content. She also stays immersed in current events and regularly attends defense industry briefings across the city. “There’s a ton of behind-the-scenes work that goes into a publication,” she said. “I do a little bit of everything.”

Field’s professional path was shaped by a series of key internships, beginning with an editorial role at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point after her sophomore year. She later joined the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland, working there both during and after her senior year before joining War on the Rocks.

Despite balancing athletic commitments with the Women’s Swim and Dive team, leadership roles in the Buccino Leadership Institute, and service as Student Government Association Vice President, she credits the Diplomatic Envoy for opening her first professional door. “Writing for the Envoy gave me the samples I needed to get my first internship,” she said.

Upon reflection of her time at Seton Hall, she highlights professors Moremen, Ph.D., Huddleston, Ph.D. and Balestrieri, Ph.D. as standout mentors. “Being busy taught me to multitask which is now essential in my job now,” she added, noting that the Diplomacy faculty also helped her understand her options during the job search.

For current and future diplomacy students, her message is simple: Say yes. “Yes to club meetings, yes to think tank events, yes to coffee with someone new,” she said. “Most people don’t know exactly what they want to do when they graduate. Focus on being excellent at what you’re doing now and building meaningful relationships — the opportunities will follow.”

Categories: Alumni