from early 2004 to august 2005, wickett served as director for south asia at the u.s. national security council (nsc). prior to her nsc post, wickett served as a foreign affairs specialist in the bureau of south asia at the department of state. her major portfolios included counterterrorism, nonproliferation, kashmir, and other law enforcement topics. during her tenure at the department of state, wickett was also a special advisor at the homeland security group, and an officer in the bureau of nonproliferation. shortly after september 11, 2001, she was detailed from the department of state to the office of the vice president (ovp) to help launch the office of homeland security affairs.