Some people have moments of clarity, where they know they are on the right track. That is what the PLEN Women in Global Policy seminar was for me. I knew that I wanted a career in international relations, but I didn’t know what exactly my options were once I graduated. Thanks to the seminar, I now know that there are a variety of options, and I am definitely on the right career path.
Since my university is not a PLEN member school, I had no idea about the opportunities that existed through PLEN. A family friend and mentor told me about the seminar. At first, I had my doubts – I didn’t need to learn more about foreign policy; I knew enough already, or so I thought. Eventually I was convinced by my friend to attend, especially since the schedule of the seminar promised visits to the U.S. Capitol and the Department of State. I do not regret this decision for a single second. While some of what I already knew was affirmed, I gained so much more insight into the career of international relations and what one can really do with a degree in this field. Not only did I learn more about different career paths, but I also learned important business skills such as resume building, networking, and creating a LinkedIn profile.
Thanks to PLEN and my scholarship sponsor, Ms. Jen Stange, I was able to attend this life-changing seminar, where I was surrounded by 50 other like-minded, inspirational women. I had incredible opportunities to listen and engage with different panelists and speakers from all kinds of different areas within the field of foreign policy. I was challenged in my ways of thinking and had the experience of touring a majorly influential think-tank. I learned so much during this seminar, and I cannot wait to apply what I’ve learned to the real world! The Women & Policy in the Global Community seminar confirmed my dreams of a career within the field of international relations, and it gave me the tools to accomplish just that.
Molly Willeford attended the 2015 Women in Global Policy seminar as a junior at Illinois Wesleyan University. She received a scholarship sponsored by PLEN Board of Directions member Jen Stange.