Undergraduates Connecting With Alumni In NYC

On Tuesday, October 24, a group from the University of Delaware Department of Political Science and International Relations boarded an Amtrak train in Wilmington before the sun rose. These 13 undergraduates and one graduate student, led by Acting Chair Alice Ba, traveled to New York City to meet and network with local alumni, and to learn more about their career paths after leaving UD.

First-years and seniors alike began the day at the United Nations, where Allie Davis, AS14, who serves as a senior policy advisor, waited to escort the group to observe a Security Council meeting. Students witnessed an impassioned debate regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the assistance of on-site translators.

After a morning spent with international delegations, the students spent the afternoon exploring different career paths at two alumni panels. The first focused on the pros and cons of attending law school as a first step after UD, organized by panelists John Visconi, AS07; Louisa Portnoy, AS19; and Stacy Schecter, AS06; each of whom practice law in the New York area.

The second panel focused on private and government sector employment and was organized by Matthew Mehrazar, private sector project manager. Panelists, including Sean Bunoski, Client Technology Leader at IBM, and Lauren House, a director at NYC DOE Office of School Design, reassured attendees of their anticipated next steps while also introducing them to unexpected private sector and business-oriented career paths.

Showcasing the possibilities a degree in political science or international relations provides, this trip connected students with the world around them, fostering invaluable connections between past and present students. Thank you to the generous alumni network which organized and executed this unforgettable excursion.​​