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By Jennifer Eikren (MALD '01)
The New York career trip has been a part of the Fletcher experience for at least 30 years, according to OCS Assistant Director Judith Coquillette. "This year's trip follows the scheme of last year's very closely. Our schedule reflects student interest and the employment opportunities in that particular city for Fletcher grads," Coquillette said. She explained that the trip, which primarily focuses on the private sector, contrasts with the February Washington, D.C. trip, which is geared more toward public sector and non-profit careers. Many Fletcher students said they felt that the broad career scope the trip offered was its greatest strength. "I enjoyed the chance to hear what people did everyday and to get a clearer picture of the different sectors," remarked Greg Cooper (MALD '01). Others felt that networking was the most valuable part of the experience. "I heard over and over again not to be afraid to use Fletcher alum to find a position," said Coleen Nicol, who was successful in securing two internship offers as a result of the trip, both within United Nations departments. General criticisms of the trip involved its timing, as it occurred close to midterms and conflicted with the State Department Foreign Service Exam. The trip included seven career panels by alumni who described "life after Fletcher." Generous alumni make the event possible by volunteering to participate in panels, and arranging the use of facilities, according to OCS. The two most heavily attended panels focused on careers in the U.N., although there have been minimal openings for Fletcher graduates there in recent years. "Down the road, many graduates do have an opportunity to do U.N.-related work," reasoned Coquillette. The Career Trip kicked off on Thursday, Nov. 4 with a "Careers in Journalism: Print and Media," panel including Cristina Haus-Alimonti (F '80), Executive Editor, Jet Fuel Intelligence, Petroleum Weekly; Anthony Mace (F '84), Managing Editor, Market News Service; Harry Radliffe II (F '73), Producer, CBS News; Hugh Roome III (F '77), Senior Vice-President and Publisher, Scholastic; Jeanne Tang (F '92), Senior Manager, Editorial Department, National Basketball Association. The "Careers in Public Relations and Marketing" panel included Josh Gilbert (F '94), an associate at Westhill Partners; Josephine Lee (F '94), Marketing Manager, American Express; Vitaly Veksler (F '97), Manager of Business Development, Raytheon Co.; James Wasserstrom (F '78), Vice President of International Partnerships, Global Foreign Exchange Services, American Express; and Chris Williams (F '99), Senior Associate, Coltrin & Associates. After lunch, the affair moved over to the United States Mission to the U.N. for a "Careers in the United Nations" panel. The afternoon began with an address by Head of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Ambassador Ahmad Kamal (F '61). Kamal spelled out the difficulties currently facing the U.N., including coming to terms with information technology, devising a system for the private sector to voice its concerns, reconciling issues of sovereignty and rejuvenating an aging staff. "The retarded baby," as Kamal termed the U.N., must be overhauled to meet the needs of the new century. Kamal's presentation was followed by that of Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary General Simona Petrova Vassileva (F '91), who said it is increasingly difficult to work at the U.N., especially for Americans. The final two U.N. representatives were Dr. Jehangir Khan (F '83), Political Advisor, and Arnold Pronto (F '96), Associate Legal Officer, both of whom entered the U.N. through its intensive examination system. "Careers with U.N. Agencies & Affiliated Organizations" was the final panel of the day and included Jose Cruz-Osorio (F '89), Technical Advisor, Management Development & Governance at UNDP; Hugh Dugan (F '83), Economic Advisor/Delegate, U.S. Mission to the U.N.; and Anna Rubin (F '94), International Monetary Fund. Panelists elaborated on their job duties and the paths they took to arrive at their current posts. An evening reception at New York's Harmonie Club concluded Thursday's events. Host Andrew Safran (F '76) encouraged everyone to mingle and enjoy the company. The Friday panels, held at Salomon Smith Barney, were geared toward those students with private sector interests. Panelists speaking on "Careers in Banking and Finance" gave advice on how Fletcher students can market themselves to compete with MBAs. Panelists included Andrew Safran (F '76), Managing Director, Investment Banking Division, Salomon Smith Barney; Maria Teresa Tejada (F '92), Industry Analyst, Goldman Sachs; Fritz von Karp III (F '97), Industry Analyst, Merrill Lynch; and Mona Yee (F '94), Assistant Vice President, Corporate Banking, Standard Chartered Bank. "Careers in Consulting" followed, with panelists Ruben S. Brown (F '65), President, E Cubed Company; Remie Roseman (F '98), Marakon; Toni Shields, Vice President, Roper Starch Worldwide; and Jennifer Tetefsky (F '98), Deloitte & Touche. Finally, the trip concluded with a "Careers in Non-Profit Organizations " panel including Adekeye Adebajo (F '95), International Peace Academy; Mehlika Hoodbhoy (F '94), Strategic Analysis for Gender Equity; and Shazia Rafi (F '83), Parliamentarians for Global Action. OCS hopes students will make recommendations for improvements for future trips, and is currently surveying students for feedback about this year's New York career trip. Comments? Write us at letter@fletcherledger.com |
