Title: Claire Luke
Class Yr: 2010
Title: Program Officer
Group Title: 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 related you to your trade and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you study/resolve it was a very good match for you?
My profession is a results of pure development of following my passions and function. I used to be a journalist by means of my 20s, dwelling in varied nations and in DC reporting on worldwide growth, 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 nations that might construct a powerful basis of data to then parlay into greater stage coverage and programming. My internship in NBC’s political unit in the course of the Washington Semester program taught me I used to be involved in 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 Jap Europe, totally on labor rights, I then gravitated away from reporting on labor rights and dealing on a deeper stage to handle them instantly by means of programming. Graduate faculty 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 finally to my present position (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 around the globe.
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 by means of networking. Whereas I liked the town, the work itself was meaningless and shallow to me, and I noticed that I didn’t want to spend one other day of this finite life with out devoting my expertise, ardour and life power to mission-oriented service work, the worldwide epicenter of which lies in DC. This was a useful lesson- to take heed to the intestine greater than something and never faux or power; I consider all of us have our items that align with our function and shouldn’t should ‘faux it til you make it’ to any unsettling extent.
3. What have been you concerned in whenever you have been on campus?
Cross nation and monitor; dance crew; Philosophy Pupil Advisory Committee; writing and modifying 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 season Internship Program (monetary journalism in NYC)
4. What was your main and the way did it have an effect on your profession choices?
Philosophy main (give attention to political and moral) and peace and battle research, which was the closest factor on the time to worldwide affairs!
I initially wished to check journalism, however am finally glad we acquired the effectively rounded liberal arts training that served as a improbable basis within the area of journalism, the technical expertise and mechanics of which one can study by means of the job however the deep understanding of political and financial buildings got here by means of the HC training.
The social justice and service-oriented mission and drive to make any kind of footprint of optimistic change that interprets to actual folks and their lives on any vital scale that flourished at HC positively translated into my profession journey and present position. 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’s rooted in my religion that was capable of exist alongside my research at HC.
I say should you can assume effectively, you are able to do something! Philosophy honed our expertise in writing, debating, logic, dissecting arguments, deciphering reality vs fiction, and considering the buildings 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, good lady in political philosophy, essentially enriched my journey.
For political science, Professor Judith Chubb was strongly instrumental in main an curiosity into worldwide growth! 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, growth and inequality.
5. What are one or two expertise that you simply developed at Holy Cross that you simply use in your work?
The attention of inequalities and pursuit of guaranteeing the human facet and rights of each individual are acknowledged and represented on the highest ranges potential.
Sturdy writing expertise and presenting info thoughtfully, initiative in pondering past what’s introduced 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 monitor and cross nation coach- that there aren’t any shortcuts to onerous work. That you just wish to finally be pleased with the individual you see within the mirror. That enjoying 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 kids on campus at the moment?
Become involved in as a lot as you may when you have the wealthy publicity to multidisciplinary sources in an effort to assist hone down your pursuits. That is your time to discover and deliberately kind your id and future prospects! 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 observe your coronary heart and take into consideration the way you wish to use this life in accordance together with your expertise and pursuits versus what different folks might imagine. Know that there are a lot of choices for non-traditional profession paths and that you would be able to certainly make a steady, profitable profession out of serving to others. For ladies especially- to not over-compromise or over-accommodate to others in your pursuits as a person.
