Pardee Works: Careers in Money and Impact
On October 25, 2023, Pardee Career Services hosted the second installment of the school’s signature Pardee Works series, offering students invaluable insights into forging careers in finance and economics that advance global well-being and sustainable development.
During the panel discussion, Tsitsi Musasike, Professor of the Practice of Global Development Policy, along with alumni Lubna Maria Elia, MA ’06, founder of the New England Impact Investing Initiatives, and Ali Ammar, MA ’19, a World Bank consultant, shared their experiences in careers at the intersection of the public and private sectors. Guiding the discussion with finesse was Professor of Global Development Policy, Kevin Gallagher.
The speakers explored career strategies, such as evaluating whether a potential position might open doors for future opportunities, weighing options based on long-term and short-term goals, along with taking into considerations of salary and benefits. They also emphasized the importance for students to see themselves as someone who could bring value to an employer. Students were encouraged to embrace flexibility, develop patience, and leverage networking to stand out professionally.
When asked about the overlap between the public and private sector careers, the panelists agreed that these domains draw upon similar skill sets and often share the same professional networks. They debunked the common misconception that the private sector has all the funding while the public sector has all the influence. Instead, many organizations leverage both financial resources and influences effectively and to achieve meaningful and impactful outcomes.
The Pardee Works series is a platform for professionals from various backgrounds and careers within global studies to network with Pardee School students. In addition to the annual Pardee Works career symposium, past Pardee Works topics have included careers in intelligence agencies, working in the national security and defense industries, women in U.S. national security, and careers with the U.S. Department of Commerce.