Why did you choose LSE, and why did you choose your programme of study?

I have always loved psychology and I wanted to continue my education by focusing on the subject from an organisational standpoint, including topics such as culture, communication, and identity. Studying psychology from different cultural perspectives was very important to me, so I was interested in LSE because of its diverse student population. As I was making my final graduate school decision, I distinctly remember a former colleague describing LSE as "intellectually vast," which really convinced me of the value of being part of such an international student body.

Overall, how do you look back on your LSE experience?

Studying at LSE was one of the best decisions I have ever made! The academics of my MSc degree provided a valuable educational experience which has since genuinely enhanced my career, and many classmates I met through my program continue to be colleagues and good friends.

Please describe your career path to date:

After graduating from LSE and returning to my home country (USA), I began searching for and applying to jobs in the field of international education. I started my current job in New York City within a few months and have been there ever since.

Why did you choose your current job?

Studying in such a diverse, international environment at LSE made me appreciate the value of international education, and I realised I wanted to work towards providing that same type of opportunity to as many students as possible.

Tell us about your current job:

I manage New York-based internship programs for an international education non-profit organisation. Essentially, I work with students from all over the world who come to New York City for internships - it's similar to study abroad, but the education is more experiential than classroom-based programs. Year-round, my job is very dynamic as my work cycle is tied to the academic calendar. I go through more organisational/administrative phases when I am liaising with international universities and local employers and preparing for students to arrive, and much more active phases when interns are actually on the ground in New York and I am leading them on events, workshops, etc. Though the company I work for is large and multinational, my office in New York is just myself and my supervisor. The work environment is flexible and affords a lot of responsibility and therefore personal satisfaction. The best part of my job is getting to meet students from other countries and other states in the US, learn about their lives and homes, and guide them through an experience in New York that is usually as transformative for them as my own experiences in international education were for me.

What advice do you have for LSE students who are looking to enter a similar profession to you?

If you have an interest in international education, you'll learn as much outside the classroom at LSE as in it. Get to know your classmates, lecturers, and peers in London and learn from people who come from other cultures.