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APSIA Young Professionals Diversity Forum 2020

APSIA invites you to participate in our virtual five-day workshop for students and young professionals who are traditionally underrepresented in international affairs. While this year's workshop will be held online, we intend to provide all participants with the resources, tools, and information to access a graduate-level education and career in international affairs.

Over the course of the workshops we will explore how to:

Channel your interests into international careers,
Build skills and competencies to compete in a global marketplace
Prepare for and afford graduate school.

The workshops will also feature various panels and networking opportunities.

Check this website for up to date information and links.

SPEAKERS

Schedule

S C H E D U L E

THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK FREQUENTLY FOR UPDATES

Monday, July 20

Careers in International Affairs 2:30 – 3:30p ET

Hear from APSIA Alumni about their experiences working in international affairs in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Speakers

Nia Hope Bess, Vice President, Global Public Policy, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Yuri Unno, Director for International Trade Policy, Government, and Industry Affairs, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Moderator- Carmen Iezzi Mezzera, Executive Director, Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs

Small-Group Alumni Chat 4:00 – 4:45p ET

Connect directly with alumni in small groups. Get your personal questions answered and build relationships!

Speakers

Jubail Akut, International Officer, US Department of Defense
Ileana R. Valle, Vice President, Equanimity Foundation
Lauryn Williams, Policy Analyst, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, US Department of Defense
Tameeka Norton Austin, Project Operations Manager, Governance and Youth Economic Opportunities Division, RTI International

Tuesday, July 21

A Conversation with Karen Attiah- 10:00-11:00 am ET

Hear an APSIA alumna reflect on her career and why diverse voices are needed in the field.

Speakers

Karen Attiah, Global Opinions Editor, The Washington Post

Moderator- Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Director, Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation

Open Chats with Alumni- 1:00 – 1:45pm ET

Connect directly with alumni in small groups. Get your personal questions answered and build relationships!

Noémie Hailu, Program Manager, Africa, Center for Civilians in Conflict
Derek Hom, Threat Analyst for South and Central Asia, US Department of State
Evania Robles, Program Analyst, Bureau for Africa, US Agency for International Development

Networking Time Among Participants- 4:00 – 4:45 pm ET

Meet fellow participants and current APSIA students. Share your story and experiences.

Moderators:

Sabrina Andrews, Graduate Student, Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Myles Davis, Graduate Student, University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy
Daron Woods, Graduate Student, University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy

Wednesday, July 22

Myths and Realities of Applying to Grad School (Seniors and YP)-12:00 – 12:45p ET

Explore common myths about applying and paying for graduate school, then get a sense of the realities.

Speakers

Allyson Hill, Associate Dean of Admissions, University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Ariel Matos, Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs

Moderator- José Antonio Lucero, Associate Director, University of Washington Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies

Affording and Accessing Experiences (Sophomores and Juniors) Time: 1:00 – 1:45p ET

Learn about some of the important experiences and skills needed to succeed in a global career. Get advice on how to access them and make them affordable.

Speakers

Deanna I. Johnson, Graduate Student, Yale University Jackson Institute for Global Affairs
Ify Okpali, Academic Specialist, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Chigozie Okwu, Environmental Officer, US Agency for International Development

Moderator: Fanta Traore, Graduate Student, Yale University Jackson Institute of Global Affairs

Building Your Personal Board of Directors (Sophomore and Juniors)-2:00 – 3:00p ET

Build your personal Board of Directors early in your career: your community of people you can tap into to listen, guide, support, sponsor, and help you stay true to living in your purpose and values.

Presenter: Simone Gbolo, Executive Director, Public Policy & International Affairs Program

Salary Negotiation Exercise (Seniors and YP) 2:00 – 3:00p ET

Practice techniques in salary negotiation during this interactive workshop.

Moderator- Sharon Swabb, Career Coach, George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs

Thursday, July 23

Best Practices in Applying to Graduate School Presentation 10:00 – 10:30 am ET

Graduate School Fair 10:30-12:30 pm ET

Thinking about Grad School? Whether you’ve just started your search or have a shortlist in mind, representatives of APSIA's top international affairs and public policy graduate schools can help you navigate the admissions process.
Separate registration required, Click Here to Register

Open Chats with Alumni Time- 2:30 – 3:30p ET

Connect directly with alumni in small groups. Get your personal questions answered and build relationships!

Speakers:

Brionne Dawson, Senior Director of East and Southern Africa, US Chamber of Commerce
Michelle DeFreese, Senior Officer, Global Green Growth Institute
Michael Manansala, Business Development Manager, DT Global
Tracy Navichoque, Program Manager, Global Digital Policy Incubator, Cyber Policy Center, Stanford University

Friday, July 24

Dealing with Fear- 9:30 – 10:15a ET

If you are navigating fears about leaving home, going abroad, what it’s like to be the “only” in the room, imposter syndrome, and more, talk with those who have gone before you and faced similar challenges and fears.

Speakers:

Cierra G. Saylor, Foreign Service Officer, US Department of State
Byron L. Williams, Training Specialist, USDA Animal, and Plant Health Inspection Service

This session will not be recorded.

Wrap Up, What APSIA Can Do for You- 10:30 – 11:00am ET

Speakers:

Carmen Iezzi Mezzera, Executive Director, Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs
Briana Suarez, International Admissions and Operations Manager, Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs

This session will not be recorded.

Open Chats with Alumni- 4:00 – 4:45p ET

Connect directly with alumni in small groups. Get your personal questions answered and build relationships!

Speakers:

Majd Baniodeh, Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, The Vida Agency
Ana Monzon, Management Analyst, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Michael Pan, Special Advisor, Open Society Foundations
Saira Saeed, Senior Advisor, US Department of State