Alex A. Aguilera, MA Security Policy Studies, Class of 2020, #WeAreElliott Current Student
Alex A. Aguilera is a second-year master’s candidate in the Security Policy Studies program at the Elliot School with a concentration in Transnational Security. He began his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida (UF) and continued through American Military University (AMU) while stationed overseas as a Marine Security Guard. While enlisted, he completed a bachelor’s in Intelligence Studies with a focus in Criminal Intelligence. Alex interns through the Department of Justice (DoJ), where he provides program management, research and input to further both international and domestic casework. He has past experience working as a supervisory Physical Security Specialist, Aviation Technician and tax preparation Quality Reviewer with the United States Marine Corps and has collectively lived abroad for over 10 years. He enjoys learning about diverse cultures and languages, is an avid soccer player and loves to spend his leisure time (which he has little of) running, sketching or sculpting.
When did you realize you wanted an international career?
Having been overseas for three consecutive years (2015-2018) as a Marine Security Guard (MSG), I was greatly exposed to the diplomatic reach of the U.S. government. While stationed overseas in Saudi Arabia, Benin and South Africa, I witnessed firsthand, the power of diplomacy and the impact that it has on the daily lives of Americans. I want to be able to make a difference in the safety and security of the American people, where I found that at times, this requires the grand-scale approach that the international arena encompasses, in order to see the “bigger picture.” Additionally, enforcing the U.S. mission overseas alongside the people of the State Department and its local staff at embassies was always a pleasure and gave me a wonderful outlook on working and interacting with the government sector.
Where would you like to be, career-wise, 5 years from now?
In 5 years, I see myself working law enforcement investigations on the federal or state level. I feel I’ll be more than settled into a permanent full-time position. Ideally, I would live and work in my home state of Florida, specifically in Miami, where I was raised. I had no intention of going back home but after years of being away, I’ve come to realize how much I miss the people and the culture of South Florida. Not to mention, a lingering desire to give back to the community that saw me grow.
I’ve also considered prospects in nearby states such as Georgia and the possibility of staying in the D.C. area, given the vast resources and connections one can make in the line of work. Either way, transnational and international criminal groups are at work 24-7 and their threat is quite real, so the need for effective criminal investigations is relevant in all major cities.
What has been your most rewarding academic experience at the Elliott School and why?
Due to the nature of my academic and career interests, I found myself exploring multiple avenues of studies throughout the year. One of them being an opportunity to explore the coursework offered by the GWU Forensic Psychology department. Psychology has always piqued my interest and I’m always attempting to discover ways to fit it into the scope of criminology and law enforcement disciplines, and moreover, into my studies. ESIA facilitated my transition into the Investigative Psychology and Theories of Criminal Behavior courses at GWU’s Alexandria building, which really put a spin on my graduate experience. I’m hoping to close out my time with the department this year by completing another course through them and cementing a ‘self-declared’ minor of sorts, given the flexibility that ESIA offers its students with elective coursework.
What advice do you have for first-year students who are starting their internship or work experience search?
First and foremost, I’d like to welcome all first-year students to this amazing institution that is GWU! For those seeking some sort of ‘leg-up’ on their career progression, GWU hosts a multitude of recruiting events throughout the semesters, with an incredible assortment of opportunities in all sectors. They range anywhere from school-wide Career Fairs, site visits (in and out of D.C.), professional dinners and meet-ups with alumni, to one-on-one interviews with leading competitors. Companies come in from all over the nation, year-round, offering to meet you and getting to know them. What’s not to love about that? GWU Handshake is also an amazing tool to stay up to date with visiting employers and applying with them, while Graduate Student Services is great about reviewing and maximizing the effectiveness of your resume. I mention these because I’ve made use of all of these options at one point or another. Please take advantage of all these resources throughout your time at George Washington University!
If you could donate unlimited funds to any cause, what would it be and why?
Presently, illicit human trafficking operations in both sex and labor categories are ever-expanding and continuously thriving with minor resistance. For the most part, human trafficking benefits from the secrecy and little attention it receives from the public, regardless of their knowledge that; the ‘product’ being exploited is another human being or that it occurs within the United States itself. With unlimited funds, I would seek to advance research and awareness projects on critical trafficking trends and issues throughout various disciplines and sectors, in hopes of formulating more effective prevention, enforcement and policy strategies on the subject. Not only would state and local law enforcement benefit from new strategies and resources, but funding would extend to medical and psychological entities, who oftentimes provide critical research discoveries and solutions within criminal studies. Businesses, advocacy groups, government, media outlets, and community outreach are also crucial components in identifying trafficking issues in societies and would also benefit from funding initiatives. A gendered perspective that looks at men, women, and children is also necessary to the advancement of these topics. These would all serve as relevant advocates for this otherwise invisible threat.
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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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