Identify: Claire Luke
Class Yr: 2010
Title: Program Officer
Group Identify: The U.S. Division of State
1. In a single sentence, what does your job entail?
I handle or co-manage the State Division’s 40 federal grant awards globally that strengthen rights for staff.
2. What deliberate and unplanned occasions linked you to your trade and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you be taught/determine it was an excellent match for you?
My profession is a results of pure development of following my passions and objective. I used to be a journalist via my 20s, dwelling in varied international locations and in DC reporting on worldwide improvement, human rights- particularly labor rights- and shining gentle on abuses alongside provide chains. At HC, I knew I wished to pursue the trail of worldwide affairs and journalism and purchase totally different experiences in varied international locations that may construct a powerful basis of information to then parlay into larger stage coverage and programming. My internship in NBC’s political unit throughout the Washington Semester program taught me I used to be concerned with extra international vs home reporting, and extra socio-political vs historically political. I used the HC alumni community to assist construct journalism contacts, and whereas stringing for the Boston Globe in Boston I used to be accepted to work as a journalist overseas for the principal newspaper in Cambodia, opening the door to a journey of intense and immersive studying on the grassroots stage within the worldwide and communication fields! After additional reporting in Nicaragua, Burma and Japanese Europe, totally on labor rights, I then gravitated away from reporting on labor rights and dealing on a deeper stage to handle them immediately via programming. Graduate college in DC allowed me to hone in additional to technical help programming and labor experience, leading to working with the World Financial institution, UN, social enterprises specializing in labor rights and provide chains, and in the end to my present function (and dream job!) with the State Division, the place I promote labor rights in accordance with US democratic ideas to probably the most marginalized staff most egregiously exploited within the international commerce system in probably the most difficult of working environments world wide.
There was a little bit of trial by error within the first steps of this journey. After HC commencement, I wished to attempt dwelling in Boston to be close to networks, and labored at a PR agency discovered via networking. Whereas I beloved the town, the work itself was meaningless and shallow to me, and I spotted that I didn’t want to spend one other day of this finite life with out devoting my abilities, ardour and life power to mission-oriented service work, the worldwide epicenter of which lies in DC. This was a useful lesson- to hearken to the intestine greater than something and never faux or power; I consider all of us have our items that align with our objective and shouldn’t should ‘faux it til you make it’ to any unsettling extent.
3. What had been you concerned in if you had been on campus?
Cross nation and observe; dance staff; Philosophy Pupil Advisory Committee; writing and enhancing for 2 newspapers (Crusader and Advocate) and the HC Workplace of Public Affairs; Washington Semester program; Kenya research overseas program; tour information, Appalachia Spring Break program, Manresa; Summer time Internship Program (monetary journalism in NYC)
4. What was your main and the way did it have an effect on your profession selections?
Philosophy main (concentrate on political and moral) and peace and battle research, which was the closest factor on the time to worldwide affairs!
I initially wished to review journalism, however am in the end glad we obtained the nicely rounded liberal arts training that served as a implausible basis within the subject of journalism, the technical abilities and mechanics of which one can be taught via the job however the deep understanding of political and financial constructions got here via the HC training.
The social justice and service-oriented mission and drive to make any type of footprint of optimistic change that interprets to actual individuals and their lives on any important scale that flourished at HC undoubtedly translated into my profession journey and present function. And spiritually, upholding the dignity, worth and rights of each human life and employee who’re the spine of the worldwide provide chain that I do in my work now could be rooted in my religion that was capable of exist alongside my research at HC.
I say when you can assume nicely, you are able to do something! Philosophy honed our abilities in writing, debating, logic, dissecting arguments, deciphering truth vs fiction, and considering the constructions behind what we see. HC’s glorious philosophy division, particularly Professor Lawrence Cahoone as advisor on my DC thesis on ethics of humanitarian intervention who inspired me to pursue this path, and Prof Maria Granik who served for example of a powerful, sensible girl in political philosophy, basically enriched my journey.
For political science, Professor Judith Chubb was strongly instrumental in main an curiosity into worldwide improvement! The Kenya research overseas program she developed was my first time touring overseas, was an immersive awakening to poverty, and gave college students a structural understanding of social injustice on the worldwide scale. Profs Maria Rodriguez and Cass Loren additionally fed the curiosity in worldwide economies, improvement and inequality.
5. What are one or two abilities that you simply developed at Holy Cross that you simply use in your work?
The attention of inequalities and pursuit of making certain the human facet and rights of each particular person are acknowledged and represented on the highest ranges doable.
Robust writing abilities and presenting data thoughtfully, initiative in considering past what’s offered however proposing concepts out of the proverbial field.
Additionally, Spanish! I saved up with language programs at HC and use the Spanish in my work on Latin America.
From my HC observe and cross nation coach- that there are not any shortcuts to exhausting work. That you simply need to in the end be happy with the particular person you see within the mirror. That taking part in small doesn’t serve anybody and to steer by instance. That teamwork is essential, as is respecting totally different concepts and everybody has one thing to say. To not waste power on overthinking occasions in nervousness however be current.
6. What recommendation do you will have for college students on campus at the moment?
Get entangled in as a lot as you may when you have the wealthy publicity to multidisciplinary assets with a view to assist hone down your pursuits. That is your time to discover and deliberately type your identification and future potentialities! Have enjoyable and luxuriate in these 4 years and don’t be afraid to mess around with pursuits in trial by error. Keep in mind to comply with your coronary heart and take into consideration the way you need to use this life in accordance along with your abilities and pursuits versus what different individuals might imagine. Know that there are numerous choices for non-traditional profession paths and you could certainly make a steady, profitable profession out of serving to others. For girls especially- to not over-compromise or over-accommodate to others in your pursuits as a person.
