What do you want to be when you grow up? I've been asked this question many times and the answer has since evolved from superstar to doctor to... I'm not sure. When one changes their major from Chemistry, where the steps forward are pretty well outlined to Sociology, with which you can do just about anything generally and nothing in particular, as I did, it is understandable that the picture seems to have gone from clear to blurry in the blink of an eye. Then came Conflict Resolution.
Oh conflict resolution!
Wherefore art thou, conflict resolution
As diverse as the skills you give,
So are the places you lead
And Alas!
By God I sweareth
I shall find mine in the world!
I digress.
I envision my future work to be at least two-fold, involving either policy or advocacy, or (preferably) both. On the one hand, I am eager to work on foreign policies for sub-Saharan Africa and the Korean Peninsula as both a writer and an analyst. The skills required for such a position are research heavy, as intensive expertise in both the subject matter and the region of choice is required in addition to any graduate training. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are also pivotal to success in this line of work. Interestingly, my research led me to discover that policy makers and analysts are encouraged to acquire sociological skills, as much of their work involves research of people, and observation of behavioral social patterns. Unbeknownst to me at the time of acquisition, my BA in Sociology seems to be aligning very well with my future endeavors.
On the other hand, I am also interested in advocacy for at-risk populations in my regional focus and beyond. This ties in to policy because when done successfully, advocacy can and often does lead to changes in policies. Thematically, the particular populations that I am interested in advocating for are victims of human and sexual trafficking, particularly women and youth. Important to this line of work is the intersection of culture, language and conflict, especially given the widespread impact of this issue today. Here, more than anywhere else, cultural and linguistic nuances impede on communication with victims, thus slowing the interception of perpetrators, a problem that could be remedied through integrated skills in these areas. Leadership and passion for research are again noted as indispensable skills in addition to formerly mentioned impeccable communication, along with facilitation.
Naturally, the combination of policy and advocacy is possible in various degrees and such a mélange would most likely house my ideal job. Particularly after my practitioner interviews, I realized that quite a few people are speaking about a gap between those who make the policies and the people that these policies affect. It is my belief that as either a policy analyst or an advocate, I would be instrumental in helping to bridge said gap, by working and building on a ground-up basis.
Besides my shattered dreams of becoming a Kpop Star, other possible career avenues include speech writing, and perhaps giving, as inspired by former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney’s speech at Georgetown a few months ago, storytelling through song (a piece of the dream still lingers), translating & interpreting, and work as a UN consultant. As my dad often says, the sky is the limit.
Oh conflict resolution!
Wherefore art thou, conflict resolution
As diverse as the skills you give,
So are the places you lead
And Alas!
By God I sweareth
I shall find mine in the world!
I digress.
I envision my future work to be at least two-fold, involving either policy or advocacy, or (preferably) both. On the one hand, I am eager to work on foreign policies for sub-Saharan Africa and the Korean Peninsula as both a writer and an analyst. The skills required for such a position are research heavy, as intensive expertise in both the subject matter and the region of choice is required in addition to any graduate training. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are also pivotal to success in this line of work. Interestingly, my research led me to discover that policy makers and analysts are encouraged to acquire sociological skills, as much of their work involves research of people, and observation of behavioral social patterns. Unbeknownst to me at the time of acquisition, my BA in Sociology seems to be aligning very well with my future endeavors.
On the other hand, I am also interested in advocacy for at-risk populations in my regional focus and beyond. This ties in to policy because when done successfully, advocacy can and often does lead to changes in policies. Thematically, the particular populations that I am interested in advocating for are victims of human and sexual trafficking, particularly women and youth. Important to this line of work is the intersection of culture, language and conflict, especially given the widespread impact of this issue today. Here, more than anywhere else, cultural and linguistic nuances impede on communication with victims, thus slowing the interception of perpetrators, a problem that could be remedied through integrated skills in these areas. Leadership and passion for research are again noted as indispensable skills in addition to formerly mentioned impeccable communication, along with facilitation.
Naturally, the combination of policy and advocacy is possible in various degrees and such a mélange would most likely house my ideal job. Particularly after my practitioner interviews, I realized that quite a few people are speaking about a gap between those who make the policies and the people that these policies affect. It is my belief that as either a policy analyst or an advocate, I would be instrumental in helping to bridge said gap, by working and building on a ground-up basis.
Besides my shattered dreams of becoming a Kpop Star, other possible career avenues include speech writing, and perhaps giving, as inspired by former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney’s speech at Georgetown a few months ago, storytelling through song (a piece of the dream still lingers), translating & interpreting, and work as a UN consultant. As my dad often says, the sky is the limit.