I was offered this position after completing a 6-month internship, optional internship with Simplon.co during my last semester at PSIA.
Within my current role of International Project Manager, I undertake a number of responsibilities, such as:
Every single day I am presented with new challenges that test my abilities to think critically, act diplomatically, and work across geographic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries. There is no such thing as an “average day” within my position, which keeps the role particularly exciting. In the morning, I may have a conference call with a training team in Jordan to discuss the progress of their Syrian trainees from Zaatari refugee camp. In the afternoon, I may be in brainstorming sessions with my Paris-based team, debating the best way to create more synchronization between our French and international training centers. By the end of the workday, I may have another conference call, but this time with potential partners in Turkey to negotiate their support for the opening of a new training center.
At PSIA, my thematic concentration was diplomacy. I can say, without a doubt, that the courses that I took within this concentration provided me with a skill set that I use every single day when working with partners from around the globe. Additionally, one of my favorite courses from PSIA
- International Human Rights Law with Dr. William Schabas - provided me with the foundational knowledge necessary to navigate the legal intricacies of working with displaced populations in third-country settings (and more particularly, in countries that are not signatories to the Geneva Convention).
Very simply, do not be afraid to take risks. Be bold and do not hesitate to ask for exactly what you want. When I applied for the internship position that ultimately led to my full-time, post-grad position, the job posting very clearly stated that they were looking for a full-time intern. However, the position being offered was one that interested me so much that I applied, interviewed, and asked for an exception to be made to the full-time status for the first few months while I finished my degree. Ultimately, this exception was granted - but it would not have been had I not directly asked for it.
Furthermore, do not get discouraged - the vast majority of us are going to receive a number of rejections (for internships, jobs, and even volunteer positions) before we find “the one.” A rejection does not mean that you have failed - it simply means that the door remains open for you to find an opportunity better suited for your interests and skill set.
The International Team (my team!) at Simplon.co is currently recruiting an intern (paid) for the role of chargé.e d’appui au développement Europe with an ASAP start date. You can find more information (in French) about the role here. If you have any specific questions about this position, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at mmartinez@simplon.co
Additionally, Simplon.co is recruiting company-wide for a number of full-time positions. More information on Simplon.co, including available positions, can be found here.