[3] In his senior year at the high school, he wrote an essay that won first place in the High School Contest on the United Nations, sponsored by the American Association for the United Nations, won a citation from the Mayor’s Committee on Scholastic Achievement, and was the co-editor of Vanguard, the student newspaper.

in American government from Harvard College (magna cum laude) in 1968, where he was secretary of the Kirkland House and vice president of Pi Eta.

[9][10][3][5] While at Harvard he won the Detur Prize for distinguished application to studies, and the James Bryant Conant Award for the best essay in natural science.

[5] Bersin practiced at the Los Angeles law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson from 1974 to 1992, and rose to be a senior partner.

[7] Bersin then served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California for five years, having been appointed by his former Rhodes Scholar classmate President Bill Clinton.

"[16] He launched a major reorganization of the urban school district to focus its resources on instruction and on modernization of business infrastructure.

[18][5] In 2007, the nonprofit electronic journalism outlet voiceofsandiego.org[19] reported that Bersin was considering a run for San Diego City Attorney.

In the press release announcing his appointment, Secretary Napolitano said, "Alan brings years of vital experience working with local, state and international partners to help us meet the challenges we face at our borders.

[5][23] His recess appointment by President Obama in 2010 was effective with the same power and authority as if he had been confirmed until the end of the next session of Congress.

[23] Through the rest of 2010 and 2011, Republicans in the Senate refused to hold a vote although it held confirmation hearings on the nomination, so in December 2011 he resigned.

[23][24] Starting in January 2012 and through 2017, Bersin served as Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, and as DHS Chief Diplomatic Officer.

[5][8] After leaving government service, Bersin became a senior advisor at the international law firm Covington & Burling.