Pardee School Holds Annual Global Career Symposium
The 2nd Annual Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University Global Careers Symposium was held on April 8, 2016, and provided students with an afternoon of development and networking with alumni and professionals currently working in the diverse field of global studies.
The first panel of the afternoon, “Working Towards Human Security–Careers in Public Health,” was moderated by School of Public Health Professor Sophie Godley, and featured Merida Carmona and Lauren Greenberg, of Partners in Health, Amber Oberc, of the Tanzanian Children’s Fund and Rachel Chapman, of Physicians for Human Rights.
Oberc advised the student audience to remain patient through their job searching, and stressed the importance of volunteering with organizations that they are passionate about.
“Don’t panic–there are so many different paths to get to where you ultimately want to be,” Oberc said. “The more you panic and thrash against your future, the more painful it will be. Just get out there and network and volunteer–that is the single best way to get into an organization that you love.”
The second panel , “Progress Through Development–Perspectives on Economics and Business,” was moderated by Pardee School Associate Professor of International Relations Henrik Selin, and featured Ana Lucia Escudero, of the Inter-American Development Bank, Alanna Kahn, of SIG/SC3, Sascha Hoffman, of Dataword and Christina Bain, of the Initiative on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.
The third panel of the afternoon, “Green Careers–Working with the Environment,” was moderated by Pardee School Dean Adil Najam and featured Michelle Perez, of the University of Miami Law School, Environmental Consultant Rebecca Slocum, Lori Dunn, of the Peace Corps and Michael Green, of the Climate Action Business Association.
A fourth panel, “Creating Change Outside the Government–Careers in NGOs,” was moderated by Director of the African Studies Center and Associate Professor of International Relations Timothy Longman, and featured Brian Concannon, of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, Cully Lundgren, of the Abraham Path Initiative, Virginia Fresne, of Flying Kites and Shivam Sanjalia, of the UN Association of Greater Boston.
“Typically with NGOs, at least with small ones like ours, you’re in over your head,” Concannon said. “Some people really like being in over their head all the time and having a constant challenge. There’s often a lot of financial pressures, you’re dealing with people often who have great needs, there are psychological pressures, there’s traumatic stress so there are certainly some challenges. The people who do best, at least in my organization, are people who enjoy those challenges”
A networking hour with students, professionals, alumni and faculty was held following the panels, with organizations including Unicef, Oxfam, WorldTeach and CrossCultural Collaborative in attendance.