Jackson School Pathways: Technology

Jackson School courses and programs offer invaluable insights and context for students wanting to pursue careers in a variety of fields and industries. Below is an example of some the unique courses and opportunities offered by the Jackson School for students interested in careers in technology.

Pathways to careers in technology

Tech companies are large multi-national businesses that require workers with diverse skills and knowledge to successfully operate across international borders. The Jackson School produces international area experts with broad knowledge of history, policy, and culture to fill a wide variety of roles in the dynamic and ever-changing tech sector.


Jackson School Pathways: Technology Alumni

Emma Lii

Emma Lii

Government & Public Services Business Intelligence Analyst, Deloitte US

Emma Lii // B.A. International Studies (General) [2020]

While a JSIS student, Emma worked as an undergraduate researcher on a National Science Foundation funded project focused on Internet of Things (IoT) device cybersecurity in the built environment. She also completed a Global Research Group for Microsoft focused on the Paris Call for Trust and Security and received a Mary Gates Research Award for her work on this project. Emma pursued coursework related to cybersecurity in the Jackson School and completed her Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and global politics.

After graduation, Emma joined the Training Enabling Areas Campus Hires (TEACH) program at Deloitte US and currently works as a Business Intelligence Analyst in their Government & Public Services Contracts organization.

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Conor Cunningham

M.A. Candidate, Harvard University

Conor Cunningham // B.A. International Studies (General) [2020]

During his time in JSIS, Conor combined area studies focus with a thematic interest in technology. He was a Cybersecurity Initiative Cybersecurity Research Fellow focusing on information operations. He received a Mary Gates Research Award for his research. He also completed two Global Research Groups for Microsoft, one on financial security and one on election security. His Task Force focused on election security and he took courses on international cybersecurity in the Jackson School. Conor also studied Russian in Moscow in 2018 as a FLAS Scholar and in Latvia as a Boren Scholar during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Since graduating, Conor was an intern with the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He then was a Fulbright Scholar in Moldova researching social and traditional media usage among university-age students. In February 2022, he relocated to Bucharest, Romania, where he worked as a translator with Ukrainian refugees. Conor is now an M.A. candidate in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies with plans to enter government service.

Victoria O'Laughlin

Victoria O'Laughlin

Quality Engineer II, Dataminr

Victoria O'Laughlin // B.A. International Studies (General) [2019]

While Victoria was a JSIS student, she was a Cybersecurity Fellow and in this role engaged in research on Internet of Things (IoT) devices and privacy, with a particular focus on IoT surveillance device use in public spaces. She also completed a Global Research Group focused on dis/misinformation for the Woodrow Wilson Center in D.C. Victoria was also the co-editor (and an author) of a Task Force focused on nation-state cybersecurity strategy and international norms. Victoria also pursued independent studies in technology related topics as well as coursework focused on cybersecurity.

After graduation, Victoria was hired at Dataminr as a Domain Expert focused on cybersecurity. She now is a Quality Engineer II at Dataminr, testing their Cyber Risk product to ensure accuracy and quality across cyber risk-related alerts.

Technology Pathway News


Recently offered Technology courses

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Student Opportunities

The Jackson School offers unique initiatives and opportunities for students to expand their knowledge for careers in the tech industry.

International Studies (General) Major

The International Studies program equips students with the skills (including writing and foreign languages) and the disciplinary tools needed to analyze global and regional issues and challenges. Students can choose a concentration in ‘Technology, Security and Diplomacy’ to match their course of study  to their career goals.


Task Force

Students presenting their task force researchTask Force is a unique undergraduate capstone experience that challenges teams of students to produce a report that is evaluated by real-world experts in the field. Task Force report topics change every year, and often include technology focused case studies.


Global Research Groups

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Global Research Groups pair teams of faculty-supervised students with clients who want cutting edge and cost effective consulting. GRG consultants provide in-depth data analysis, reports, presentations and other research to meet their partners’ needs. Since 2009, GRG teams have worked for Microsoft, Starbucks, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and many others.


Cybersecurity Fellows

Cybersecurity Research Fellows work on independent research projects under the guidance of Jessica Beyer. Research fellows are required to produce one piece of high quality research a quarter and attend weekly research group meetings. Research fellows receive the title “Cybersecurity Policy Fellow” and close research/writing mentorship from Beyer. Students of any level – undergraduate to graduate – may be a research fellow.