Career Panel Notes
Tuesday, April 17, 2025
Department of Political Science
Panelists:
Dr. Kathryn Lavelle, Professor, POSC
Dr. Aysegul Zeren, Adjunct Assistant Professor, POSC and Assistant Director for Student Experience and Pre-Law Adviser
Professor Bianca Menendez, Lecturer, POSC and Former Foreign Service Officer
Opening Remarks:
The discussion opened on a positive note, with all panelists sharing very tough times each had experienced in their careers—yet each had worked around the immediate situation, leading to positive outcomes in the end. Major shocks included the recession of 1981-82, the Clinton “Reinventing Government” restructuring, the 2010 “Great Recession” and the recent pandemic.
Lavelle: Lavelle stated that any life/career planning should always start with a person’s dreams. No matter how things seem in the moment, there isn’t any reason to give up on your highest aspirations. However, life does not necessarily unfold the same way school does, up to college. Things don’t have the same planned sequence they do in school. Therefore, in good times and bad, once someone graduates from college, they have to take over the responsibility to figure out what order to take with things, and what might substitute for what they want until they can get there.
In the present time, this would mean that students should
- Start with thinking what they want to do? Absent any obstacles, what path would you take? What excites you?
- Next, think of what education, skills, and experiences might get them there?
- And then think about what they might do in the meantime—if they cannot necessarily do what they want immediately?
Menendez: Menendez shared her own experiences with a career in international affairs. She pointed out that what is going on now happened before. When she was a senior, Bill Clinton wanted to “reinvent government” and take advantage of the “peace dividend.” What that meant was that there was no foreign service exam, and after that—only one every other year. This did not leave her with many viable options. She thought about a Ph.D. She made three major points:
- She pursued Graduate School to obtain a Terminal M.A. degree.
- Then went to work for a defense contractor when the economy was not good. Eventually, the economy recovered. But she took the job that was available in the moment. (On this point, she emphasized the need for flexibility regardless of the circumstances. Entrance into the foreign service was tough. Security clearances are tough. She advised students to “keep living your life.
- When she went to work for the foreign service, she was pleasantly surprised that the skills she learned at the defense contractor were applicable to the foreign service. In addition, volunteer work gave her skills. Therefore, the six years where she worked outside the foreign service gave her skills that helped. Her new colleagues had similar experiences. One worked as a stand-up comedian while waiting—another earned a Ph.D. One worked for a wildlife NGO.
Zeren: Zeren also shared her experiences. She teaches five courses on conflict resolution such as reconciliation and revenge and conflict resolution skills. She also conducts research in Transitional Justice. In the Career Center, she specializes in Public Service and Exploratory Career Interest Areas. Public Service includes non-profit, government, education, and legal careers.
Growing up in Turkey, her interest in these issues was sparked by 9-11 and the following war in Iraq. She wanted to pursue activism in Turkey so that her country would not participate on the occupation that followed. She was also concerned with the plight of internationally displaced people. She wanted to come to the U.S. She came to Cleveland with a boyfriend who was pursuing graduate studies and she met Professor Moore at CWRU and Patrick Coy at Kent State University. After earning a Ph.D. in the Conflict Studies Program at Kent State, she realized that she was not going to pursue a tenure-track position, but worked in the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. She pointed to two lessons from this experience:
- Do what you want to do. Eventually you will get the position that fits best. She did a job part-time teaching via zoom. She volunteered at the Cleveland Mediation Center and restructured homeless shelter trainings . One day she received a call from John Carroll University where they were seeking someone to teach practical skills. Within a month, she was a professor. Later, Professor Moore called her with an opportunity at CWRU.
- Put yourself out there. Do not be afraid to volunteer, etc. and keep talking to people. Be explicit about what your goals are, and where you want to be. Then they can offer advice about how to help you to get to that point.
Zeren also offered advice about using social media and reaching out to alumni. She suggested LinkedIn and following organizations that interest you. There are specific resources for this!
She will help students with LinkedIn Profiles and how to take part in a Canvas Course that has good tips about networking, Linked In etiquette, etc.
Career Development Hub: https://canvas.case.edu/enroll/6LRHRH (especially networking module)
Q&A:
One question had to do with working for NGOs. The panelists warned that NGOs can be different from other employers insofar as many work on grant funding that can be six months away. They may anticipate funding and not get it—meaning a position does not become a reality.
Zeren mentioned a CWRU alumna whose goal was to work for the Library of Congress, but came out of school in 2010. They worked at Hale Farm until they could move to Washington. Eventually they did make it to the Library of Congress—but it took longer than anticipated.
Another question concerned getting an M.A. Panelists agreed that an M.A. degree is a necessity in Washington no matter the position—although it might be possible to get an entry level position without it. Eventually everyone will earn one or even more than one (such as military personnel who earn several). However, with an M.A. an employer might need to pay a candidate more at the start, so it is worthwhile to try to get an entry level job even if you don’t have it.
Some specific questions followed. In general, it might be possible to work for a defense contractor, however the pay might not be great.
One student questioned working for consultants. One panelist pointed out that in order to work as a consultant, you need some expertise to sell. This isn’t always easy right out of school. However, if it is the only job available, take it. Also, some businesses consult with government and might offer different entry level possibilities.
Some final advice came for those hoping to work for the federal government. Panelists pointed out that when constructing a federal resume, it will be necessary to state skills and accomplishments that are required, and then articulate how you go them. It is worthwhile to think about this early and often. For example, it is good to keep a file with ideas about initiatives that you took in a club (e.g. improved the webpage to increase membership, or changed programming to appeal to a broader audience) or a job—no matter how “low level” it might seem (e.g. managed other employees by setting their schedules and resolving disputes).
All panelists recommended keeping an excel file of people/positions/ and opportunities that might be helpful in the future.