International Studies Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Professor Stuart teaching

Professor of Political Studies and International Studies J. William Stuart discusses the new administration's foreign-policy priorities. Photo by Carl Socolow '77.

Nadia Shahab Diaz

Majors: international business & management, international studies
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey
Graduate School: New York University Stern School of Business
Field of study: accounting

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I'm excited to continue my graduate studies in the fall at the NYU Stern School of Business to acquire my master's of science in accounting. I'm looking forward to furthering my technical accounting skills with the program's rigorous curriculum and to pursuing CPA certification afterward, and I can't wait to take advantage of the connections and opportunities available in New York City. This summer, I will be working at Munich Reinsurance America, Inc., as a reinsurance accounting intern. Although I am new to the insurance/reinsurance industry, I am looking forward to the new skills and experiences that I will be learning and cannot wait to better understand the unique field of reinsurance accounting. I'm hoping that my pursuit of accounting will bring me a career where each day is different, with plenty of interpersonal interactions and connections and with many opportunities for travel and international assignments.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

My international business & management curriculum has been integral to the development of my career path, particularly because of my classes with Lecturer in International Business & Management Joy Middaugh and Professor of International Business & Management Steve Erfle. Although I did not expect to be interested in accounting, Professor Middaugh's vibrant personality and clear teaching techniques made me want to take one accounting course after another with her, while the quantitative and empirical analysis concepts that I learned in Excel through Managerial Decision-Making have made me a stronger student and taught me the value of the subject in real-life business decisions. We always talk about how valuable our professors are and the connections that Dickinson allows us to have with them, but it is truly the professor that makes the class, no matter how drab you may expect the subject to be coming in, and you might find yourself unexpectedly liking something you thought would not be that important.

Internship Experience

Dickinson College Admissions Office, admissions events intern. When I was offered the position toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the unique experience of beginning it under completely remote circumstances. In order to incorporate the student experience in admissions virtual programming, I was responsible for the development, execution and management of a new student-led series called "Common Room Sundays," which became an opportunity for prospective students to learn about the Dickinson experience from current students in an environment that promoted confidential and honest discussion. I also contributed to the organization of on and off-campus admissions events, including panel building, application review, marketing and communications, program support and assessment.

Julia Walsh

Majors: international studies, French & Francophone studies
Hometown: Jamesville, New York
Employer: French Ministry of Education
Job title: language assistant - Teaching Assistant Program in France

Job Responsibilities

This role is managed by France Education International, an agency of the French Ministry of Education. It is a one-year position where language assistants are placed into one to three schools to teach English and assist the English teachers as a native speaker. Language assistants are required to have a minimum level of French to be considered. It will include lesson planning, teaching, collaboration with other teachers and supporting the overall language acquisition of students in the placement schools.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has prepared me to think critically, act with compassion and be resilient. I have learned to make time for the issues that I care about while balancing coursework, jobs, volunteer positions and social life thanks to inspiration from my peers, who are driven and like-minded. I feel confident in my abilities to step into new challenges in unchartered territory as a result of my time at Dickinson and working through the uncertainties of my final year having been during a global pandemic.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am eager to return to France after studying abroad during the fall 2019 semester. I am looking forward to bringing interests from both of my majors into my next steps. Through my international studies major, I have been interested in developments in the EU with globalization and access to education across the board, which I will be able to explore first-hand. With my French major, I am prepared to continue expanding my language skills and utilize them in daily life while I communicate with colleagues and locals.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Studying abroad and completing a specialized research project with my professor were very defining moments that shaped my undergraduate career and postgraduate plans. However, some of the most defining moments aren't huge milestones but rather the day-to-day interactions that have shaped my Dickinson experience. Having a classmate take the time in the library to talk me through a question from class, a professor inviting the class on a hike and receiving an email from a prospective student that I gave a tour to who wants to learn more about Dickinson are the types of moments that remind me why Dickinson is so special.

Internship Experience

  • Spring 2019 internship - U.S. Army War College Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute   
  • Jan. 2019 externship - Shadowed an alumna French and Spanish teacher at Captain Nathan Hale Middle School in Connecticut

Max Herman

Majors: international studies, Spanish
Hometown: Reisterstown, Maryland
Employer: Allegis Group
Job title: data privacy analyst

Job Responsibilities   

  • The development, implementation and maintenance of privacy policies and procedures, investigation and tracking of privacy incidents to comply with HIPAA, CCPA, GDPR and other applicable state/federal/international laws.
  • Support the objectives of the Global Privacy Office.
  • Working with/enabling our Transformation Programs (Connected/Evolve).
  • Partnering with the data governance and security teams to enable consistent processes and workflow as it relates to global privacy and protection procedures and guidelines.
  • Be able to execute job responsibilities independently and with the understanding of how the output will affect other operational areas as it relates to data privacy and protection.
  • Ensure compliance with data privacy laws such as HIPAA, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act in accordance with the organization’s goals and objectives.
  • Analyze system designs and data flows to identify and mitigate potential privacy vulnerabilities.
  • Help develop and maintain internal privacy policies, guidelines and best practices for our organization.
  • Work in collaboration with the technical and nontechnical stakeholders in our organization to understand data flows as they pertain to business processes, reporting, analysis and advanced analytics utilization to comply with data privacy and protection guidelines.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I have received a well-rounded education that has provided me the opportunity to enter into many different fields postgraduation to begin my career.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

Continuing the career path as an analyst and eventually pursuing a master’s degree.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Study abroad in Spain and South America, jazz band, club sports.

Internship Experience

Data analyst intern/privacy analyst intern, Allegis Group, Hanover, Md. Similar roles to full-time employment functions.

Jenny Wang

Majors: international business & management, international studies
Hometown: Wuxi, China
Employer: Spark44
Job title: operation executive

Job Responsibilities

Managing accounts and ads for customers and making sure the marketing plans are laid out appropriately.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I took HR as one of the electives of INBM and that’s really helpful in terms of interviews and salary negotiations.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I’d love to take my chance in the marketing and advertising industry.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Definitely studying abroad in Germany! Excellent program for studying and traveling around.

Internship Experience

Miracle Automation.

Maddie Littlepage

Major: international studies
Hometown: Aldie, Virginia
Graduate School: George Washington University - Elliot School of International Affairs
Field of study: security policy studies

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I feel really prepared for my major and got me more interested in pursuing security studies.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am looking forward to continuing my education in areas I am passionate about and then using my skills in research and analysis to aid my country.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Well COVID was certainly one, albeit not a positive one. Definitely being on the swim team and competing for 3.5 years with such awesome teammates. It was also super cool when President Margee Ensign congratulated the women's team for our 50-semester anniversary of academic excellence. Being a part of the costume shop with my amazing boss Juli Bounds, expanding my sewing abilities. Creating Dickinson's first ever escape room for the theater department and also was the wardrobe manager for a show with over 40 quick changes between two actors.

Internship Experience

I am doing an internship at the U.S. Army War College as a research assistant to Dr. Pfaff. I am aiding in his recreating new strategic decision models that reflect the multipolar environment and the new security issues that affect us today. Specifically, I am doing a case study in how effective deterrence is in outer space and how we can make outer space more secure.

Daniela Cruz

Majors: international studies, Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Employer: TQL
Job title: account executive

Job Responsibilities

Be the connection between the customer and the companies. Create my own list of potential customers.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has prepared me for life after Dickinson because it has allowed me space to grow as a person but also let me experience the world and its diversity. I think that there is a positive outlook from Dickinson, which you can apply to everything else that you do after graduation.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am mostly anticipating feeling more relaxed and living another life that is not as a student, which I have lived for 16 years. I would love to be more open and see the world in different ways and perspectives in general.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Some defining moments in general were being the first person in my family to go to college and Dickinson being the place in which I decided to further my education. I think the first day of moving in really changed my life and brought on so many more opportunities for me to experience.

Kyra Ramos

Majors: educational studies, Italian studies, international studies
Hometown: Cumberland, Rhode Island
Graduate: George Washington University
Field of study: international education

Majors: educational studies, Italian studiesinternational studies
Hometown: Cumberland, Rhode Island
Graduate: George Washington University
Field of study: international education

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has prepared me for life after graduation as it has developed my problem-solving and self-advocacy skills. While being a Dickinson student, I have been pushed into so many different fields of study, organizations on campus and social groups, and have learned so many valuable skills from the people around me and my environments. The liberal-arts aspect of Dickinson has made me who I am today. As I am graduating as a triple major, a member of an athletic team, a member of a sorority, a member of an educational honor society, a student employee for CCLA, the ROTC house, the peer tutoring program, a Dana research assistant, a global ambassador and an employee for a local Carlisle elementary school, I have been exposed to so many different types of people and spaces and learned so much about myself and so many other backgrounds. This space has made me a more well-rounded, versatile, and compassionate young adult, and helped me to define what I hope to bring to my communities outside of Dickinson. I have advocated for myself to obtain internships and reach out to alumni to learn more about what they do and that is a valuable skill that I will take with me.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am most excited to continue my education that I have started here at Dickinson in my graduate program this fall. This space has made me want to continue learning after graduating from Dickinson, as I have been inspired by many of my professors to commit to work I am passionate about. I know that the work I have done here will inform me what I do after graduating, and for that, I am very excited.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

The most important part of Dickinson to me has been the relationships I have made with my peers and professors here. The community at Dickinson is one unmatched by many college campuses, it is warm, it is personal, and it is so supportive. My peers have taught me so much, and I have made lifelong friends here. Additionally, my professors have been such positive and supportive role models and bring so much insight and intelligence to spaces here at Dickinson, I am so much more informed and well-educated because of them. I would have to say one of my most defining moments came from my study abroad experience. I have never felt so comfortable being myself as I was living in Bologna, Italy. I was challenged academically, while also personally managing myself financially and mentally while living in another country. The growth I saw within myself and my peers was so inspiring and have led me to push myself and continue to always grow since returning. It has also shaped the path I am taking after Dickinson as I am pursuing a degree in international education, in hopes of returning to teach there one day. Another defining moment would have to be joining Delta Nu my first year at Dickinson. Coming from an all-girls school background, it was really imperative that I have a similar all-female space during my undergrad experience. The females in Delta Nu not only gave me a home, but also introduced me to so many different identities of females and each individual in the organization in my four years here has taught me something valuable. I would not be the woman or scholar that I am today with this group.

Internship Experience

  • Summer 2019: Education internship at Captain Nathan Hale Middle School in Coventry, Conn.: Worked with a Dickinson alumna in her 7th and 8th grade Spanish and French classes, designed curriculum and taught lessons.
  • Fall 2019: Education internship in Bologna, Italy at Liceo Laura Bassi (high school): Worked with a 9th grade teacher to teach economics in English to her Italian students, served as a translator and teacher aide in her class.
  • Summer 2020: Internship at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.: Worked with a professor in the Department of Educational Methodology and conducted research on women, peace and security to add to a War College introductory course.
  • Fall 2020: Internship at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Worked with a U.S. Army colonel in the Department of National Security creating the spring curriculum and list of think tank resources for the America Regional Studies Program.
  • Spring 2020: Internship at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Worked with the same U.S. Army colonel and her team of international fellows to create a podcast about the America Regional Studies program and the benefits to Army colonels in taking this course.

Ryan Showman

Majors: international studies, Spanish
Hometown: Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Graduate School: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Field of study: international relations

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson and its great professors have helped me learn how to think critically and understand my major and the potential professional opportunities that it can provide. Study abroad also provided me with great opportunities to learn about other parts of the world, improve my Spanish, and influence my career goals. Dickinson's excellent professors have also given me excellent advice on my future and how to prepare for life after graduation.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am really anticipating further specializing my studies of international relations. My graduate program also involves studying in Bologna, Italy for a bit, so I am especially excited for that.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Definitely going abroad to Ecuador and Argentina have been pretty defining and have definitely shaped how I am as a person. The moment I saw the Andes was definitely a defining moment. Living in The Treehouse has also been defining. It has helped show me the advantages of communal living. A defining moment of living in The Treehouse was when we had our electric open mic my sophomore year. It was very fun! Finally, I think another defining moment was doing my preorientation. It was my first college experience and helped me begin my journey of really figuring out who I was.

Julia Seybold

Major: international studies
Hometown: Cockeysville, Maryland
Employer: Blackbaud
Job title: business development representative II

Job Responsibilities

As a business development representative, I will be responsible for creating a strong foundation for long-term relationships with current and future clients of Blackbaud to be built. My role will consist of calling both existing and prospective clients to inform them of Blackbaud's solutions, and how our software can help maximize the success and overall mission of their non-profit organization.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I think Dickinson has prepared me to take on new challenges and be confident in my ability to tackle a variety of projects. I believe that having a liberal arts education has taught me how to be an advocate for myself as well as the value of forming connections with others.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

An opportunity to continue to grow and develop a professional career as well as continue to learn new skills.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Study Abroad in Bologna: European Studies, being a part of a sorority: Pi Beta Phi (I loved being surrounded by such a strong and inspiring group of women.), creating life-long friendships, time as the donor relations intern for Dickinson College, and being co-chair of the senior gift giving committee.

Internship Experience

Internship: Dickinson College Donor Relations intern, 2020 - present
My responsibilities included creating appreciation videos on the global platform “Thankview”, attending daily development meetings and designing and managing social media campaigns. Created and led an event called “Meet the Mermaids” to increase engagement for Dickinson’s Mermaid Society, which honors those who have donated recurring monthly gifts or for three years in a row.

Internship: Dickinson College Presidential Fellowship, June  -August 2020
An initiative created by the president of the college to foster current donor relations as well as build new ones. My responsibilities included scheduling and conducting interviews with Dickinson alumni to capture their experiences on campus and their current relationship with Dickinson.

Externship: Dickinson College Office of College Advancement and Marketing and Communications, January 2020
Worked in Dickinson’s College Alumni Outreach and Advancement Center. During this time, I worked with various departments including media outreach, alumni and donor relations and major gifts where I provided input on how to better connect to the alumni of Dickinson.

Internship: Jhpiego (Johns Hopkins, international non-profit public health organization), June - August 2019
Worked with the fundraising and communication outreach team on their annual fundraiser, “Miles for Mothers.” Made calls to prospective and previous sponsors, drafted and edited emails and thank you letters and helped design flyers for the event.   

Fellowship: World Trade Institute, June 2019
Selected amongst college students from the greater Baltimore area to be a part of a pre-professional program run by the World Trade Institute where I met and learned from local Baltimore executives from a variety of companies like Under Amour, Brown Advisory, and McCormick.

Externship: Avanade (Microsoft – Accenture Joint Venture), December 2018
Worked in the New York Office learning about technology and innovation consulting where I participated in design-led thinking workshops that Avanade conducted with the Junior Achievement technology and executive team. Observed the consultation planning process, joined project team meetings and employee satisfaction reviews.

Zayn Carey

Major: international studies
Hometown: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Employer: AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange, Inc.)
Job title: business development associate

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has provided me with a diverse range of transferable skills that I am excited to use in my professional career.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am excited to begin my career in the foreign exchange market and the digital payment industry. I am also eager to move to Austin, Texas in the summer.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Nagoya, Japan and Rabat, Morocco through Dickinson. These experiences were instrumental to my growth, and I will cherish such memories forever.

I am also happy to have developed great relationships with my professors, in particular with Assistant Professor of International Studies Shamma Alam.

Internship Experience

  • Development intern at Atlas Corps (Washington, D.C).
  • Intern at OpenWorld Leadership Center (Washington, D.C).
  • Intern at Arab Center for Scientific Research and Humane Studies (Rabat, Morocco).   

Daniela Borrero

Major: international studies
Hometown: North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Employer: Americorps
Job title: corps member

Job Responsibilities

Perform direct, hands-on service in the areas of natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

My study abroad experiences in Italy and Russia, as well as my internship opportunities with Refugee Council U.S.A. in Washington D.C. and with the Institute of New England in Lowell, Mass. have given me hands on experience in working with refugee resettlement efforts at local and national levels and exposed me to new people and perspectives. I am ready to take the next step in my career in public service.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am looking forward to committing several years to volunteer and non-profit work though the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps and eventually return to school for a graduate degree in public service or foreign service. I hope to get involved in refugee relief efforts abroad and maybe contribute to the efforts of the U.N. someday.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

My involvement with the language departments at Dickinson. My study abroad experience in Italy and Russia were priceless. Living in Romance Language House, participating in Italian, German, Russian, and Spanish club activities, and working as the German Club treasurer my senior year of college gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in a variety of cultures. I made lifelong friends at Dickinson thanks to our mutual desire to explore, learn about, and understand the world around us.

Internship Experience

Refugee Council USA, advocacy and communications intern, Washington D.C. - Organized and assisted in the creation of a national search engine for community sponsorship. Attended Hill meetings and press briefings and participated in coalition meetings. Assisted in special research projects and rapid response work. Created content for and managed social media pages.

International Institute of New England, intern, Lowell, MA - Mentored refugees, asylees and Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) to develop good financial management skills. Designed an Individual Development Account (IDA) Program Evaluation Form and conducted evaluation meetings with all program graduates. Conducted one-on-one application meetings to determine candidate eligibility for the IDA Program. Administered regular check-ins with program participants by phone or in-person.

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Published April 28, 2021