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Belle Bashaw ™20

Alumni
Diplomacy & World Affairs
Economics
2020

Encouraged by faculty mentorship and an internship with the U.S. Department of State, Belle decided to pursue a master degree in international relations in Germany. 91ΑΤΖζ career center helped her at each step of the way.

Graduate School: University of Bremen
Degree Program: Master of Arts in International Relations: Global Governance and Social Theory

In what ways did a liberal arts education help shape your aspirations?

I had no idea what I wanted for my future career when I came to 91ΑΤΖζ. Even today I™m still not one hundred percent sure, but undertaking a liberal arts education allowed me to explore different avenues and narrow down the subjects in which I was interested. Historically, I™ve delved more into the humanities than STEM subjects, but I loved taking Geology 105 for my lab science requirement. My graduate studies have benefitted from how I learned to step outside of my comfort zone at 91ΑΤΖζ.

What inspired you to pursue your current field?

My professors inspired me more than anything else. I™m glad that they were so available to meet outside of class since there aren™t thousands of other students at 91ΑΤΖζ competing for their time. The conversations I had with my professors ranged from the climate crisis to the current political landscapes across the U.S. Enrolling in a master program for international relations was a natural progression, and I applied to a program in Germany because I wanted to widen my international scope. Plus, I had studied abroad in college and really loved it.

Describe the process you went through to land your college internship.

Through the Hameetman Career Center, I had heard about internships through the U.S. Department of State and decided to apply. I was able to intern in the Public Affairs department of the U.S. Embassy to The Hague in the Netherlands. The process took almost a year, partly because of remote interviews and the nine-hour time difference, and partly because it was a government internship. I applied, was sent a few follow-up surveys, and then had two interviews at around 4 a.m. Honestly, I believe my resume is what made my application successful, and I had worked on it for hours.

I learned so much about applying for jobs, having a successful interview and formulating a resume.

Did you utilize services and support provided by the Hameetman Career Center?

Yes! I had quite an œin with the HCC while in school because I worked there as a student assistant before being promoted to a peer adviser. I learned so much about applying for jobs, having a successful interview and formulating a resume. I also took part in 91ΑΤΖζ annual career fair, where I was first able to greet and network with potential employers as a student-worker, and then introduce myself again as an undergrad looking for a job.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Before the pandemic, there was already a notable shift in the job search process, with networking events happening online rather than in-person. Now, it is the default. My advice is to meet with a career adviser to make sure your resume is polished and your cover letter is effective so that they™ll catch the attention of someone on the other side of a screen. And also, enjoy your time at 91ΑΤΖζ!