#WeAreElliott: Caitlin Mittrick

May 14, 2024May 9, 2024 ~ Elliott School Graduate Admissions ~ Leave a comment

Caitlin Mittrick smiles, wearing her graduation gown. The Washington Monument stands high in the background.

Caitlin Mittrick is a second-year student in the International Development Studies M.A. program at the Elliott School, concentrating in humanitarian assistance and gender relations. She is a soon-to-be two-time Elliott alum, having graduated with a B.A. in International Affairs from GW in 2022. She currently serves as a Senior Coordinator with the International Development Group, LLC, a small-business international development contracting firm. She has previously interned with USAID, the Advocacy Project, the Atlantic Council, and the American Academy of Diplomacy. In 2024, she was named a finalist for the federal government’s flagship Presidential Management Fellows Program. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys baking, spending time outdoors, and brushing up on her Irish-language skills (she is a dual U.S.-Irish citizen!).

What path led you to apply to graduate school? Why did you choose the Elliott School?

I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from GW in 2022. My undergraduate studies, and particularly my concentration in international development, made me confident that I wanted to pursue a career in this field. After consulting with a few of my mentors from previous internships, I learned that a Master’s degree, and especially one from GW, would help me stand out to future employers. Further, I appreciated the curriculum of the M.A. in International Development Studies program. At the time of applying, I was excited by the capstone program and the opportunities it presented for allowing me to engage with widely renowned actors in the field of international development and hone my practical skills.

Where do you currently work, intern or volunteer, and how does it fit in with your career goals?

I currently work for the International Development Group, LLC (IDG). IDG is a small-business international development contracting firm that primarily does work with USAID, MCC, and a few other USG agencies. Through my role as a Senior Coordinator, I am assigned to the USAID-funded Economic Development, Governance, and Enterprise (EDGE) Growth project that operates across 12 countries in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. My work has taught me what it’s like to work with USAID as an implementing partner. I’ve gained transferable skills relating to project operations and business development. In addition, I’ve gained important soft skills including a strong cultural awareness by collaborating with stakeholders from various countries. As a recipient of GW’s Wolcott Fellowship, I intend to work for the U.S. government following graduation, and it is my goal to work for USAID, in particular. Through networking with current USAID employees, I’ve learned that prior experience with implementing partners is highly sought after by USAID hiring officials because it contributes to a well-rounded perspective of program management and implementation, as well as promotes a strong technical insight. I believe that working with IDG will help to me achieve my post-grad career goals.

What tools/strategies have proved most helpful in making the most of your time at the Elliott School?

The Graduate Student Services (GSS) office and its team have been very helpful to me during my time as a grad student at the Elliott School. My academic and career development advisors have helped me secure internships and career opportunities. In particular, my academic advisor Lyndia McMullen first introduced me to the organization Advocacy Project, with which I interned abroad, through regular emails alerting me and other students to international internship opportunities. Similarly, my career development advisor Meg Wurm was instrumental to me becoming a finalist for the Presidential Management Fellows Program. I highly recommend incoming graduate students to take advantage of the resources GSS provides.

What advice do you have for students for staying motivated at work or in class?

Break larger assignments down into small tasks! This will help make those seemingly insurmountable papers seem much less intimidating. Also, reward yourself periodically after completing tasks with a short walk around campus or a coffee!

What has been your most memorable experience while studying at the Elliott School?

My most memorable experience was getting to intern abroad with the Advocacy Project in Nairobi, Kenya. If it hadn’t been for the financial support offered me by the Elliott School’s International Internship Grant, this experience would not have been possible! Working in Kenya, I was able to collaborate directly with a community-based organization supporting a group of women across Nairobi’s informal settlements through an income-generating composting and gardening project!

What is one book you think everyone should read and why?

I think everyone interested in international politics should read Wangari Maathai’s memoir Unbowed. She was the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Her work on environmentalism in Kenya while faced with fierce political opposition and oppression is inspiring.

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The #WeAreElliott profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights current students to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.

The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.

#WeAreElliott: Keita Nakano

May 8, 2024May 1, 2024 ~ Elliott School Graduate Admissions ~ Leave a comment

Keita Nakano, posing in front of the Elliott School building at GW

Keita Nakano is an International Development Studies Master’s Student specializing in conflict and development. He has worked with Accept International, a Japan-based International Peacebuilding NGO taking action in deradicalizing and reintegrating former violent extremists in areas such as Somalia, Kenya, and Yemen. During his 3 years there, Keita gained experience in designing Monitoring & Evaluation activities (e.g., focus group discussions, baseline and endline surveys, etc.), writing grant proposals, and assisting the overall implementation of projects. He also gained on-the-ground work experience in Turkana, Kenya, where he conducted various tasks, such as interviews and meetings to key stakeholders and beneficiaries for a climate change resilience build-up project towards pastoralist communities. During his studies at the Elliott School, Keita took various courses such as Project Management, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, Negotiation and Conflict Management, and Cross-Cultural Communication.

What path led you to apply to graduate school? Why did you pick the Elliott School?

During my years as an undergraduate student in Japan, I was doing an internship at a Japanese peacebuilding NGO called Accept International, that was taking action in deradicalizing and reintegrating former violent extremists in various countries (e.g., Somalia, Yemen, Indonesia, and Kenya). Through such an experience, I gained a passion to become a practitioner in the field of conflict resolution and countering/preventing violent extremism. As an undergraduate (and a student from Japan with no full-time working experience), I realized that I need to gain more practical skills and knowledge in becoming such a practitioner. In addition, I wanted to gain further connections with various peacebuilding NGOs and international organizations. The International Development Studies program at the Elliott School, as well as its location in Washington D.C., provided me such needs – not to mention the possibility to obtain more knowledge in the conflict and peacebuilding field at the same time.

What has been your favorite course at the Elliott School so far and why?

There’s too many! As a first, I loved all of the 1-credit professional skills courses that I took, which were Cross-cultural Communications, Gender Advisor Roles and Skills, and Mediation. Even though the courses were held in the weekends (for one or two full-days), they were very interactive and fun. Most importantly, they were very useful throughout all of my working experience, as it enabled me to think about how to interact and work in an international setting, which my career trajectory most likely will be.

Regarding the field of conflict and peacebuilding, I really liked Dr. Corinne Graff’s Conflict Prevention class. It enabled me to think about the importance and challenges of conflict prevention, which I feel is gaining traction in the conflict and peacebuilding sphere. Rather than being reactionary to conflict, if conflicts can be prevented by building states to be more resilient towards conflict (just like a vaccine), all of the money towards trying to solve conflicts can be used more efficiently! I feel that what I learned through this course enabled me to gain a better understanding of what kind of career path I want to pursue in being a practitioner in the field of conflict and peacebuilding. I was more narrow-minded on aiming to be a practitioner in preventing/countering violent extremism, but now I have become more interested in how to strengthen states to be less prone to conflicts!

Where do you currently work, intern or volunteer, and how does it fit in with your career goals?

I am currently doing an internship at Search for Common Ground as a project implementation intern for the Asia Regional team. This internship fits very well with my career goal to be a practitioner in the conflict and peacebuilding field, as I believe such responsibilities have enabled me to use both the skills and knowledge I gained through my coursework and internships (e.g., project design, project management, monitoring and evaluation, etc.). To give some context, my responsibilities there are: 1) copy-editing and drafting reports and success stories to donors on various projects across Asia (e.g., Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, etc.); 2) supporting project management through reviewing and consolidating reports developed by local partners into one that is more accessible; 3) updating databases and tools for grants management in various systems; and 4) researching and developing project management and team development tools. Being able to foster practical skills (e.g., project management, donor reporting, budgeting, etc.) while gaining further knowledge of how projects are being implemented on the ground has enabled me to be prepared to be a practitioner in the field of conflict and peacebuilding.

Think of where you were when you applied to the Elliott School. What advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now, as a student?

My first advice would be to be prepared for course registration, and make it as consistent as possible for what kind of career you would like to pursue. One of the good things about the IDS program, is that there are a lot of courses you can choose from, including courses from other schools and universities! But as much as that was a big benefit for me, I learned that I need to be more prepared towards registering courses from other universities. In my case, I was looking to register for a course offered outside of GWU, but come registration period, this was very difficult since I had to reach out to the professors offering the course first. Thus, I would advise myself back then to start reaching out to professors and better understand how course registration outside of GWU works beforehand. Another piece of advice is to not be scared about dropping courses. After taking a certain course for one or two weeks, I had a feeling that it may not fit well with my interest, nonetheless, I was a little lazy and did not change it. This came to haunt me later, since as time went by, my energy and passion towards that course dwindled. So, if you do get a sense that it may not fit your interest, I would recommend to change it!

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far at the Elliott School?

The most valuable thing I learned at Elliott, is that reaching out to anyone is key! All of the faculty members, friends, the connection you develop at events, are very friendly and communicating with them often leads to something! I was able to gain valuable information regarding career development through attending various events hosted by the Elliott School, getting advice from academic advisors and career coaches, and reaching out to professors (who often are also practitioners in development) enabled me to gain further understanding of the field and even more connections. As such, I would highly recommend to go to events (they often have free snacks, food, and drinks) and network, even though they do consume energy. Granted, sometimes, the connections you built will not lead to anything – but the benefits surpass the cost by a lot, and you won’t know what would happen in the future!

What is your favorite city that you’ve visited and why?

My favorite city would be Solola, a city near Lake Atitilan in Guatemala. I visited there during my 2.5-week solo travel during winter break, and I had the best food and met the nicest people there! All of the food I ate in the local market was great (especially the Hilacha, a type of beef stew that is a common Guatemalan dish) and when I asked people in the market about anything, they responded to me in a very friendly manner – perhaps the friendliest among the six or seven cities I visited during my trip. The numerous types of Mayan clothing people were wearing in the bustling market was also something to see. Even though I only stayed there for half a day, the general atmosphere, the food, and the people make me want to go back again!

The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.

#ElliottProud: Lea Glaenzer

May 2, 2024May 1, 2024 ~ Elliott School Graduate Admissions

Léa Gervais Glaenzer is a National Security Analyst with Pallas Advisors, a boutique D.C. consulting firm specializing in emerging dual-use technologies and bringing innovation to defense. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict and Conflict Resolution from the Elliott School of International Affairs and a B.A. in Political Science from Bard College. A native French speaker who grew up in the Silicon Valley and New York City, Léa also spent a semester at SciencesPo in Paris, France. Her capstone project was in partnership with the Burma desk at the State Department and analyzed diplomatic paths toward restoring democracy in Myanmar through a strengthened partnership with India and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Her undergraduate thesis focused on Western Sahara and US foreign policy. Before joining Pallas Advisors, Léa was an intern at Search for Common Ground with the Africa team and MENA/Asia team, focusing on East Africa, and an administrative assistant at the Elliott School’s Graduate Student Services.

When did you realize you wanted an international career?

Having an international career was almost a certainty for me as a daughter of immigrants, but it was only after studying abroad in Berlin, where many of my peers were Syrian refugees, that I realized I wanted a career in international relations and politics.

What is your current position? What did the path look like to get there?

I currently work at Pallas Advisors as a National Security Analyst. This role is dynamic and always exciting, allowing me to dip a finger into a variety of projects concerning emerging technologies and defense.

Many recent graduates may relate to this, but I was offered the position after a paid Fellowship with the Pallas Foundation. This was after a three-month job search, which resulted in internship/fellowship-level opportunities–I’ve seen lots of organizations do this now to vet and train incoming employees, especially with recent grads.

What part of your experience at the Elliott School best prepared you for a post-grad career?

As with all things, reps and sets are the only way to get really good. Because of the Elliott School, I’m familiar with what it is like to work on an independent timeline and interdependently with a team on projects that touch current events, political risk, national security, and domestic and foreign politics.

But most of all, one of my favorite parts of my Elliott School experience was working at the Graduate Student Services (GSS) office. Not just for the incredible team that taught me professionalism and how to cultivate a warm work environment, but also for event planning, and being receptive and eager to partake in the many opportunities GW opens for its students. Being plugged into the community in that way heightened my experience in so many ways, and I’ll always be grateful to the GSS team for that. Not to mention all the incredible friends made along the way!

What advice do you have for prospective students who are considering a graduate degree in international relations?

I believe a graduate degree in international relations is wholly worth it because, like all professions, these involve a heavy amount of networking. Going to a D.C. school like George Washington University opens up a whole world of connections, in addition to the many interesting IR-themed events and communities that share that intellectual passion.

My advice would be to say yes as often as you can. As a student, you’re in a unique position to walk up to anyone at an event and ask what it is they do, and people love talking about themselves.

What did you value most about living and studying in D.C.?

Personally, I love D.C. Even after being here for three years, I discover new hidden gems constantly. Living in Foggy Bottom, my favorite spot was the Lincoln Memorial.

But the best part about living and studying was the café culture, honestly. Go to any café in DC (especially between Georgetown and Foggy Bottom) and you’ll find some kinship among the many students with a coffee and laptop, posted up to do some work.

What is your favorite book?

It’s difficult to define one particular book. I must say, when I was about 7, it was the Twilight series that made it so I wasn’t intimidated by large books. I still read those thousand-page fantasy novels…

The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.

#WeAreElliott: Malakai Perket

May 1, 2024 ~ Elliott School Graduate Admissions

Malakai Perket smiles behind a face mask at the Library of Congress.

Malakai Perket is a second-year Master’s candidate of Security Policy Studies concentrating in Transnational Security at the Elliott School. Malakai graduated from Macalester College in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and International Studies with a concentration in Middle Eastern and Islamic Civilizations. They currently work for the U.S. Department of State and have previously interned at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Malakai is interested in asymmetrical warfare, transitional justice, crisis management, and security in the Middle East. In their spare time, Malakai serves on the executive board of the Security Policy Studies Student Board.

What path led you to apply to graduate school? Why did you choose the Elliott School?

When I graduated college in 2020, I knew I wanted to work in foreign policy in some capacity but wasn’t sure how to get there or what I wanted that to look like. I took a year off to work for a while and ask myself 1) where do I want to make an impact? and 2) what can I do to make that happen? After reflecting on what I’d enjoyed engaging with most in undergrad and speaking with my former professors, it seemed clear that my best path forward included applying to grad school. I looked at a handful of different schools in the D.C. area, which would put my academic interests near job opportunities that I wanted to pursue. I ultimately landed on the Elliott School for a few reasons: the extensive alumni network, the access to jobs and internships in fields that interested me, and the combination of academics and practitioners that teach courses at Elliott.

What has been your most challenging academic experience at the Elliott School and how did you overcome it?

One of the most challenging academic experiences I’ve had has been ongoing – reconciling the reality of security policy with various aspects of my identity. Traditionally, security policy has been dominated by specific portions of our population. As a non-binary Arab-American, many of the readings or topics that we would cover in security-focused courses have a very male, Americo-centric perspectives. It often didn’t feel like there was room to question what was often taken as an inherent truth. I’ve learned that in most cases, others aren’t going to make spaces for you – you need to make those spaces for yourself. Challenge norms and ideas you don’t agree with. Advocate for yourself. As I continue to make my way into new spaces, I try to move others up with me. The more comfortable I’ve gotten with creating space for myself in areas that traditionally don’t, the better I’m able to engage with security policy and what it means for many communities. I’ve learned the most when I’ve felt uncomfortable and uncertain; I’ve just had to remember to be open to the experience.

Where do you currently work, intern or volunteer, and how does it fit in with your career goals?

I’m a Pathways Intern at the Department of State working on International Parental Child Abductions. I’ve wanted to work at State since I was twelve, so having the opportunity to intern through Pathways has been amazing. I’m most interested in the intersection of security and foreign policy, and how that manifests in our current policy goals and programs. My job allows me to learn about and engage in bilateral relationships and get an inside look at how foreign policy really works, whether it’s formulating policy, implementing programs, or serving on a consular task force to evacuate Americans abroad. I’ve gotten to speak to some fantastic officers all over the Department to learn about various missions and how they are pursued. There’s many ways that State engages in its foreign policy goals, and many facets to those goals; my job allows me to explore each of these and choose to pursue which facet aligns with my career goals the most.

Now that you’re a graduate student, what do you wish you knew during the graduate application process?

During the application process I had a lot of doubts about whether I should get my Master’s and if my timing was right. There will never be a perfect time to go to graduate school – but some times will be better than others. You don’t need to rush into it; allow yourself the time to choose carefully and make sure this is a commitment that aligns with your career goals in a meaningful way. You also don’t need to have everything figured out right away. I had plenty of preconceived notions of what my grad school experience “should” look like and what I thought I needed to be doing. Nobody’s path is going to look the same, and it shouldn’t. I’ve tailored my classes and experiences to my interests rather than what I think looks best on a resume or a transcript. No matter how you get to where you’re going, you’ll be growing, and it will be uncomfortable. Take the risk and see what happens, but make sure you’re doing it for you.

What has been your most valuable experience while studying at the Elliott School?

My tenure on the Security Policy Studies Student Board has been one of my most valuable experiences. I’ve had some truly incredible experiences and opportunities, such as co-organizing field trips to the Pentagon and the Defense Media Activity, career panels and cross-program happy hours, the FLASHPOINT TAIWAN war game last December, alumni mixers, and other speaker events. I’ve gotten to meet some amazing individuals and develop my leadership skills in ways I didn’t expect when I first got to Elliott. It’s taught me how to engage with external organizing partners, lead by example, and stand up for the ideas and beliefs that are important to me. I think most importantly, it’s helped me go from a thinker to a do-er. Both are incredibly important, but an idea without the drive to implement it will only ever stay an idea. The community I’ve found through the Board has also been amazing; there’s many people who I wouldn’t have met at all if not for engaging with the SPS student body through this student organization.

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Explain.

Coincidentally, this has been a fun debate in my office for the last few months and we have not yet reached a resolution. Here’s the basic argument: white chocolate is an excellent accent and carrier of other flavors; however, it’s not chocolate. White chocolate is purely cocoa butter and sugar. Where is the cocoa? The very soul of chocolate? Chocolate is not chocolate without the actual cocoa (not just the butter!!) in it. White chocolate is most definitely a chocolate by-product and should be disqualified from chocolate-related questions. On that note, I’m all for dark chocolate. Milk chocolate is nice, but it’s usually too sweet. I think dark chocolate is better balanced for me and is an equally good “accenting” chocolate in most cases.

The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.

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