Name: Erika Hepburn
Majors and minors while at UNL:
Major: Global Studies
Minors: French and Spanish
Year of Graduation: Fall 2012
What were some of you favorite memories of being at UNL and majoring in Global Studies:
My favorite memories of being at UNL include all of the cross-cultural connections that I made both at UNL, within Global Studies, and in my community. I loved meeting and welcoming all of the new international students that arrived each year, and I continue those friendships now, even over a decade later. Some of the simplest moments now serve as my favorite memories: sitting with our feet in the fountain after class on a Friday (I’ll be sad if this isn’t still allowed, UNL!), playing volleyball in Selleck Quadrangle, and hosting international dinner parties at my house. Bringing together American students and international students to show them UNL, Lincoln, and the rest of the country on road trips and seeing Lincoln through their eyes gave me a whole new appreciation for Nebraska and the world. I really miss being in the UNL classrooms with diverse students and world-class faculty who navigate challenging discussion topics.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
I tried a little bit of everything while I was a student at UNL, and I think that’s part of what is special about Global Studies majors. We can be fascinated and motivated by so many stories, cultures, areas of interest. I always stayed dedicated to French Language Table and French Club, and occasionally the Spanish Club. I volunteered for international student orientation, which I hear is a great paid gig now as part of the International Student Welcome Team—I’d encourage you all to apply for that!
I studied abroad in Querétaro, Mexico, the summer after my Freshman year, which propelled my love for all things global and travel. I then took one year off to teach English through the Ministry of Education in Laredo, Spain, and another semester off to intern with the U.S. Department of State in the Political and Economic sectors of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary.
I also often took 16-18 credit hours of courses simply because I wanted to. I was one class away from a Spanish major and one class away from a history minor, but as much as I loved UNL, I knew it was time to take the next step!
Finally, I spent a lot of time working and building my resume within the community. I worked at the UNL information desk in the City Union, which at the time doubled as a great stop for grabbing snacks and before there was an official Starbucks. You all have it good! I also taught English classes and mentored youth at Community Action Partnership, the Asian Community Center, and El Centro de Las Americas.
What have you been up to since graduation?
Since graduating from UNL, I finished my Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies, with concentrations in political theory, conflict resolution, and human rights. While there, I served as a graduate assistant for Dr. David Goldfischer, with much of his research focusing on U.S.-Middle East foreign policy and U.S. national security policy.
A funny story about Dr. Goldfischer identifying me as his GA: I came to him asking for an extension on my final research paper. He gave me two days. I had not started the 20-page research paper. In those two sleepless nights, I managed to write one of the best research papers of my life. Dr. Goldfischer said, “You are a phenomenal writer with poor time management. I, too, am a phenomenal writer with poor time management. I need a GA who can handle my poor time management.” And that is how I found a much-needed graduate assistantship. You never know where you will find the blessings you need in life! FYI: Grad school is very expensive. Find funding or proceed with caution.
As you might imagine, I was also inspired to study abroad once more in graduate school. This time, to Dharamshala, India, as part of a course on non-violent resistance movements. It included an internship component where I would write for the Tibet Post International newspaper and learn first-hand from the Tibetan community living in exile in Dharamshala. I did not have money for this program because, again, a Master’s degree is expensive. So, I sold my car (not thinking I would be moving back to Nebraska where I would desperately need a car). I did not have money for a car again for four years, but this experience was worth every penny and every cold sad walk to work thereafter.
I now work as the Assistant Director of the Office of Global Strategies at UNL. I truly never envisioned this, but I could not be happier! I get to be close to my family, many of my friends, and I am allowed to play a role in the formation of the strategy and internationalization of a university that has impacted me and that I deeply love. My job affords me the opportunity to work with international students, to meet visitors from around the world, to travel abroad, and to represent our university on a diplomatic level right here at home. I consider myself incredibly lucky.
What is your advice for current global studies majors who aren’t quite sure what to do after they graduate.
The Foreign Service and graduate school are NOT your only options after you graduate with a Global Studies degree. Personally, I wish someone had told me to slow down and to not feel like I had to climb the ladder so quickly. The Foreign Service and graduate school are fantastic options, but they also are not for everyone. Be patient. Take time to breathe: you just finished a really major accomplishment. Be proud of yourself and take time to celebrate those accomplishments. You have spent your entire life in school. It is OK to not know exactly what comes next or to not know exactly who you want to be for the rest of your life.
I have taken transition moments of my life and taken temporary jobs while I figured things out, and those moments have been really important. You may also want to explore a full-time job for a year or two now, as well, remembering that you are not tied to your first job forever. Simply building your resume with paid, full-time employment is important for both graduate school and the job search after graduate school. I went straight from one degree to the next, and despite having a fantastic resume, a lot of it was not considered paid, full-time work experience, which made the job search and negotiation process more challenging (but not impossible)!
Finally, be open to a variety of options. Don’t be afraid to apply for jobs you do not think you are qualified for, if the job excites you—show off that passion and your qualifications in that cover letter. Work with Career Services at UNL and with your college, take Dr. Ibrahimpasic’s advice (she’s awesome!), lean on your networks and advisors—they know you best. And, for goodness sake, do not be afraid to ask for help and support from those around you.