Eyes Opened to the Complex Nature of an International Career

Upon reflecting on our week in Washington, D.C., we believe it could not have been more insightful, as it was filled with engaging discussions on impactful development work, coupled with valuable career advice. Throughout the week we had a chance to hear from alumni and professionals working for organizations like USAID, the World Bank, CIPE, and Open Capital. As public policy students, hearing various Luskin alumni discuss their career trajectories along with the challenges they face navigating their line of work opened our eyes to the complex nature of an international career. A common theme we noticed was that none of their paths were linear, and each experience brought them closer to what they were truly passionate about. This experience opened our eyes to the many ways a career in international policy and development might look like from the public to the private sector and how they work together.

Everyone we met was very passionate about their work and provided a unique perspective. During our discussion with Izabela Chmielewska from the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) which is an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we discussed the importance of anti-corruption efforts to strengthen the private sector in countries and, in turn, strengthen their democracy. She talked about how the Applied Policy Project during her MPP gave her the skills that she needed for her program management roles such as teamwork, managing client expectations, and interpreting data and using it to convey your message.

A highlight of our trip was a tour of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the working wing of the White House, organized by a Luskin alum who has been working for the federal government for 25 years. This was such a unique experience that would not have been possible without our alumni director and the strong alumni network that Luskin has. It was inspiring to be able to see all the different offices of the White House in that building and know that federal policy was being formed in these halls. We also gained greater insight into national cybersecurity policy from Luskin alum Dylan Pressman, who works directly on creating our current national strategy. We also had the opportunity to network with Pressman and many other Luskin alums at the Alumni Networking Night. In addition to the many alums we got to meet with, this event allowed us to meet some of the Luskin staff who are currently working in D.C. Some of us even met with Luskin professionals outside of the scheduled programming with the intent of potentially working in D.C. as we prepare to graduate.

We also had the chance to explore the city and historical sites during the height of cherry blossom season. This made the experience even more special for those of us who had never been to D.C. before. We had the chance to visit a plethora of national museums at no cost, thanks to the generosity of the Smithsonian Museums. In addition, we attended a Happy Hour at the Library of Congress, a common event for young professionals that’s open to the public. Outside of events and history museums, we experienced the culture of cuisine this global city has to offer. These extracurricular excursions coupled with the incredible networking opportunities made Washington, D.C., difficult to leave. The Global Affairs week in the nation’s capital was an incredibly fruitful and inspiring experience. From the abundance of impactful career opportunities to the rich culture, we left D.C. filled with ideas, good food, and most importantly, priceless connections we hope to foster and cultivate as we advance further into our careers.