High School: Preuniversitario Ciudad de San Felipe
Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies
Year of Graduation: 2007
Interview published in December 2010.
In 2003, Pablo began pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies at ORT University. He graduated in 2007 and began working at the Mediterranean Shipping Company. He taught courses in the School of Management and Social Sciences, including Comparative Politics and the subject Political and Economic Evolution of East Asia. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Security at Georgetown University (United States).
- Why did you decide to study for a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies?
- I always knew I was interested in international and political affairs in general. Toward the end of my senior year of high school, a classmate told me about the International Studies program at ORT. I attended an information session and left convinced.
- How would you describe the infrastructure at ORT University?
- It’s excellent in every way, particularly considering the number of students it has. I found the curriculum quite logical, even though everyone always feels that some courses are unnecessary and others are missing. The professors, for the most part, were very good, and some in particular were excellent.
- What would you highlight about the program?
- I would highlight two things. First, the people I studied with during my degree. Fortunately, I was part of a group full of good, interesting, and intelligent people. The second is the intellectual openness I gained from various courses. That’s very hard to get outside of a university.
- In what year and where did you start working?
- I started in 2007, the same year I graduated. I began working at the shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company. Since then, I’ve changed jobs several times: I worked with a human rights NGO, did translations for an international company, and, above all, my teaching responsibilities at ORT increased. I ended up teaching two courses: Comparative Politics and Political and Economic Evolution of East Asia. I worked at the shipping company until the first half of 2007; now I’m pursuing a graduate degree abroad.
- You’re pursuing a master’s degree—where and how did the idea come about?
- Yes, I’m pursuing a master’s degree at Georgetown University. I always wanted to continue my university studies, and during my time at ORT, I noticed that many of the most interesting jobs internationally require a graduate degree. In addition to those considerations, I was wisely advised to ensure that my master’s degree wasn’t in International Relations again, but rather in a specialized field. In my case, I chose international security.
- Do you think ORT prepared you for the job market?
- I think college prepares you for much more than just the job market. My education at ORT gives me enough confidence to apply for many jobs knowing that I’ll be well-prepared, even though each one will require its own adaptation.
- What are your plans for the future?
Once I finish my graduate studies, I’ll return to Uruguay and see which option appeals to me most. There’s a very wide range of possibilities, and what I experience during this time will undoubtedly influence my assessment of those options.