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| Susan Meyer, M.A. '99, U.S. Foreign Service Officer |
Q&A with CRI's First Graduate,
Susan Meyer
Which degree did you receive
from the University of Denver
and do you hold any other
degrees?
Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution,
1999. I was the first graduate of the
Conflict Resolution Program, but I
spent more than half of my studies in
GSIS and Public Policy.
Where do you see yourself in
ten years?
I'm not sure. I'm concentrating on the
next two years, traveling around the
world with the Secretary of State. Who
knows what doors will open during
that time—the possibilities are really
exciting.
What was your first job? What
is your current job? Where else
have you worked?
Presidential Management Intern (now
Presidential Management Fellow)
working in the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy as a
Mexico Desk Officer in 1999. I am
currently a Foreign Service Officer in
the U.S. State Department: El Salvador
2000-2002 (Consular and Political
Sections); Budapest, Hungary 2003-
2005 (Economic Section); Washington
D.C. 2005-2007 (Travel Advance for
the Secretary of State).
What is it like working in an
internationally focused arena?
There is always something new and
unusual to learn— languages, political
systems, customs, history, recipes…
Have your career goals
changed since graduating?
My career goals constantly change.
More important is that my confidence
has grown, which allows me to focus
on goals I couldn't even imagine when
I graduated.
Is there anything else students
might like to know about your
experience that would help
them with their own career
objectives?
Take full advantage of internship
opportunities. Interns get special
treatment in many organizations—
access to high level people and events,
great writing opportunities, and at the
very least, solid recommendations
from people working in the field.
Don't be afraid to tell your co-workers
and supervisors what kinds of work
you would like to try or that you really
enjoy. It may or may not help you, but
it certainly won't hurt you.
For students who may not have
already defined their career
objectives what advice can you
give them about finding out
what it is that they want?
I still haven't defined my career
objective, other than to enjoy and take
pride in my work. That's enough to
keep me busy!
Did you complete any
internships while still a
student? Where?
Woodrow Wilson International Center
for Scholars in Washington, D.C.
Interview Courtesy of "GSIS news" Volume 4 No. 2, Fall 2006
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION? click here
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