Simone completed her MA in Politics with a concentration in International Relations in May of 2011. She is from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Journalism

Where are you [working at] currently and what do you do there?
I am currently a Program Officer at impl. project, a 501(c)3 non-profit, NGO that specializes in targeted data collection, and development programming in austere and non-permissive environments. I support program design, management, and implementation in Azerbaijan, the Philippines, Cameroon, and Libya.

How did the MA in IR Program prepare you for what you are doing now?
My MA in Politics program (what is now the MAIR program), offered a solid and well-rounded foundation from which to start my career. I was allowed the space, time, and support to explore my interests and the opportunities available to me in IR, post-MA. The depth of subject matter within the MAIR program is excellent and prepares students to be discerning and fully engaged practitioners in their careers after graduation.

What advice do you have for current students who may be looking for a career in your field?
Get involved as early as you can at NYU. Take full advantage at the very start of your time at NYU, of all of the resources available to you with regards to career development offices, student activities and groups, events, professional networking, and professional organizations/listservs. Your network is the foundation of your job search!

Which class did you enjoy the most? And the one in which you learned the most?
Dr. Michael Gilligan was my thesis advisor and my favorite course at NYU was his course on Civil War and International Intervention. Dr. Gilligan is an excellent and engaging professor and is able to offer his students unvarnished and valuable insight into the current IR landscape because of his volume of experience.

What is your favorite place on campus? What do you like best about student life at NYU?
Think Coffee on Mercer Street or Bobst Library (anywhere with a good window)! Student life at NYU is so unique. Education and student life at NYU are as much about experiencing what New York City has to offer outside the classroom, as well as inside the classroom.

Last updated November 5th, 2020