By ABBY BRAVO
Editor-In-Chief
Kyla Brooke, a diplomat in residence for the New York metro area, came to campus to talk to students about exciting job opportunities with the Department of State.
Brooke has 16 years of experience and has done work in multiple countries as a foreign service officer including The Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Afghanistan, and Israel before her current job as a diplomat in residence (DIP).
Brooke gave two presentations to students over the course of the morning of Feb. 9. She discussed multiple career paths available to students as well as internships that can lead to different jobs within the Department of State.
She talked about her experiences while working for the Department of State and answered student questions about everything from work-life balance in different countries (The Netherlands was the best according to Brooke) to a basic day in her life.
Student Laura Uribe, a social work major with a public health minor, attended the presentation as a BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Scholar and has been interested in government work.
“I have always wanted to work at the state or government level being that I’m bilingual and I want to travel,” said Uribe, who is also in the process of getting a Spanish to English Translation Certification through the College.
“Having presentations and discussion with individuals who work for a larger corporation is important for College students to experience… it pushes us to work harder to reach our career and educational goals,” Uribe.
Brooke was accompanied by her virtual intern, Ryan Walsh, who was able to attend in-person presentations. Walsh currently attends City College in New York and was placed with Brooke as her intern after originally being placed with a diplomat from Florida.
With this, Walsh is able to meet with Brooke in person which is an opportunity that not many virtual interns get the opportunity to do.
He also stressed that anyone from any major can pursue a career in diplomacy as well as the importance of diversity. “Every background, in terms of what you’re studying, but also every background, particularly, women that are underrepresented, Hispanic populations, Asian populations, and African American populations,” said Walsh.
Students were encouraged to look at available careers and internships at careers.state.gov to learn more about what they may be interested in.
