During the annual Student Leadership Summit hosted by the Center for Leadership and Service, more than 300 students came together to learn best practices in leadership development. One of the sessions included three accomplished alumni, who returned to campus to share their post-grad insights on how their Global Learning Medallion and D.C. experiences shaped their academic and professional journeys.
The panel, “Bringing the World to Washington: The Value of D.C. Experiences in a Globalized Workforce” highlighted the power and positive outcomes of students’ D.C. experiences in helping them carve out professional paths. Emerging leaders from a variety of disciplines and organizations heard firsthand what each alumnus learned on the ground while in D.C.
Desiree Dawson expanded her horizons
Before completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and International Relations in Fall 2023, Desiree Dawson was a student assistant in the FIU in Washington, D.C. office, came to D.C. as a delegate in the FIU Model United Nations Program as well as through the Climate Technologies Fly-In program. “Through my work with students, I was able to engage more deeply in opportunities...that I would have never found if I were just looking for myself.” She added, “Engaging with students outside of my own interests and purview opened my eyes to spaces in D.C. that are incredibly important, but are in my blindside due to my niche interest. Meeting students from all over the world, with different backgrounds, interests and expertise forced me to communicate my own background and allowed me to integrate with the wider Panther community.” Desiree is now a graduate student in the African and African Diaspora Studies program at Florida International University, where she works as a Teaching Assistant.
Natalie Concepcion found her calling
Natalie, who graduated in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and International Relations, shared her experience as a Hamilton Scholar, working as a Legal Policy Intern with the Human Rights Campaign. She shared insights about the benefits of pursuing high impact opportunities. “At some point, it stopped feeling like just a program and started feeling like a place where I was being challenged and pushed to grow. I went into my experience in D.C. with a pretty strong idea of what I wanted to do. I was pre-law and already very interested in human rights, but FIU in D.C. was the experience that helped me refine that interest and understand what it could look like in practice.” Natalie is currently working as a Pro Bono Specialist with Dade Legal Aid – Put Something Back.
Luis Moros learned valuable lessons
Luis, in contrast to the other panelists, did not have any opportunities waiting for him in D.C. Part of the Global Learning Medallion program, Luis was eager to make something happen, and it did. Prior to earning dual degrees in Political Science and Public Administration in Spring 2024, Luis participated in seven amazing opportunities in D.C. These included research internships with organizations such the Cato Institute, a legislative internship with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a member of the House of Representatives, a fellow at the Organization of American States, among others. When asked about his lessons on the ground from D.C., Luis expressed, “I’ve come to realize that the most valuable skill any professional can develop is adaptability. The ability to adjust quickly—and to remain consistently curious about the unknown—has been essential in helping me engage confidently in high-level discussions and meetings at such a young age.” He adds, “Three things to make your time in DC unforgettable: Think outside the box, be ready for the unexpected, and always arrive on time for meetings”. Luis is now the CEO of BKT, an educational consulting academy.