Ashley McGeary, MA Global Communication, #WeAreElliott Current Student
Ashley McGeary earned her B.A from Rice University, majoring in Art History and Classical Studies and is a Global Communication M.A. candidate at the Elliott School. She currently works at VOX Global in the Washington D.C. office as a Public Affairs and Crisis Fellow after recently completing a six-month tenure via the Freeman Foundation Fellowship in Seoul, South Korea. During her time in Seoul, Ashley worked with The Asia Foundation on a variety of international and domestic proposals and projects while also completing a semester abroad at Ewha Womans University and a program through the GW Institute for Korean Studies. In her spare time, she volunteered with North Korean refugee children. A New England-born, Connecticut-native, Ashley is an avid golfer, yogini, and hiker. Yet, food remains her favorite form of communication. Whether in the kitchen preparing fresh pasta or on a quest for the best ramen in Japan, Ashley embraces it all.
When did you realize you wanted an international career and what inspired you to select your program or concentration at the Elliott School?
After living in the Republic of Korea for 2.5 years, I realized I wanted to continue living abroad and be involved with the international community, however, this was far from what I had studied in college, so I knew I needed some “knowledge,” which resulted in applying to the Elliott School of International Affairs. The 2016 election was shocking to me, as it was to most, and when thinking about what was most critical for an international career in a post-2016 world, I identified communications as the stand-out field. Thus, I switched from International Affairs to the Global Communication program and found a field that was flexible and dynamic for my career.
What resources (online or offline) have proven to be the most valuable in helping you reach your career success?
- Tara Sonenshine at Graduate Student Services (GSS) has been an incredible mentor, supporter, and motivator for my career path.
- LinkedIn is a wonderfully sneaky search engine that provides great assistance for career research!
- Regular meetings with my academic advisor and international programs advisor have helped keep me on track for graduation which is ultimately what will most give the most impact in launching my career.
What piece of advice/wisdom would you have given yourself when you started your program now that you’ve completed your first year?
Sign up for Korean classes for study abroad ahead of arriving at the foreign university and take an intensive Korean language class over winter break.
How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
No feelings, because the two do not belong in the same sentence. Those who insist on putting the former on the latter, are incorrect.
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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.
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