In May 2022, thanks to representatives from tech, a nonprofit, and think tank research group, over 20 Jackson School students learned how to leverage cultural competence, language training, and soft skills in a global professional environment.
The Navigating Global Careers Speaker Series event, held online in 2021-2022, is a collaboration with the Center for Global Studies, East Asia Center, South Asia Center, and Southeast Asia Center. An annual offering, the series began in 2021 as an extension of the Jackson School Pathways to Employment course taught by the School’s Director of Academic Services.
“This year’s discussion centered on soft skills: how do Jackson School alums present to potential employers the skills they honed at UW –– writing, policy analysis, expertise in regions, languages, and cultures –– in creative and surprising ways?” said Nick Gottschall, Managing Director, South Asia Center. “Student attendees appreciated hearing from a diverse panel focused on soft skills, navigating the job market, and applying a global lens to issues ranging from elder care to national security to international business.”
Navigating Global Careers UW Alumni Panelists 2021-2022:
- Ya-Han Brownlee-Chen (B.A. Marketing with Certificate of International Studies in Business, 2006), Principal Program Manager – Datacenter Infrastructure Strategy and Planning, Microsoft Corporation
- Deep Pal (Ph.D. International Studies, 2019), Visiting Fellow, Asia Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Lauren Pongan (M.A. International Studies – Southeast Asia, 2015), National Director, Diverse Elders Coalition
This year’s session was moderated by Jackson School faculty Stephen Meyers, director of the Center for Global Studies and chair of the Master’s in International Studies at the UW. He holds a joint appointment with the UW Law, Societies & Justice Department. Alice Kim, director of the School’s Office of Career Services, gave a short presentation on opportunities for additional career support.
The Navigating Global Careers series is open to all Jackson School students and others affiliated with the supporting the UW National Resource Centers. Its goal is to give students a unique opportunity to learn from alumni who are in international-focused careers.