Lives in: Ciudad Juárez, Mexico 

Majors: History and Political Science 

Current position: Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Foreign Service 

What work looks like: “U.S. Diplomats work in all corners of the world to protect Americans and American interests overseas. This includes promoting peace, advancing economic development, strengthening international relations, and providing help during crises and disasters.” 

What she loves about it: “Every few years I get to live and work in a completely different part of the world while at the same time serving my country. So far, I’ve worked in Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, and Iraq—and now, Mexico!”  

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “Most importantly, I gained critical thinking skills! I would not be an American diplomat today if I did not have the critical thinking skills I developed during my time at UVM. Receiving knowledge is an important aspect of higher education, but I believe critical thinking is the most important skill a student can learn. Persuasive writing comes in second. The future holds untold opportunities for each of us, and we don’t know what we don’t know. A well-rounded education provides the skills and experience needed to adapt to new situations, further personal and professional growth, and ensure better judgment.” 

Lives in: Taipei, Taiwan 

Major: History 

Current position: Journalist at the Taiwan News 

What work looks like: “I cover major stories related to Taiwanese political, cultural, and military affairs. I also conduct exclusive, in-depth interviews with Taiwan academics, experts, politicians, diplomats, and others.” 

What he loves about it: “I get to attend exciting events and major press conferences and meet key figures in Taipei’s diplomatic and political circles. In my nearly five years as a Taipei-based journalist, I have interviewed ambassadors and prime ministers from various nations, visiting U.S. delegations, and Taiwanese lawmakers and government officials, including the former Chief of the General Staff of Taiwan’s Armed Forces.” 

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “Receiving a liberal arts education instilled in me critical thinking skills and honed my writing capabilities. It also significantly impacted my global view, exposing me to different histories, politics, and cultures of the world. I became even more curious about what was happening in other countries and eager to expand my knowledge of current global affairs.  “Thanks to the skills I gained, I can efficiently grasp key concepts or facts from large amounts of information, which is imperative to being a successful journalist. The core skills I learned at UVM made the transition from academic to journalistic writing a smooth one.” 

Lives in: Southport, CT 

Major: History 

Current position: Co-Founder of Gells Apparel  

What work looks like: “We are a premium accessories and apparel brand with licensing partnerships with the National Hockey League and several NCAA institutions (including UVM), plus three partner charities whom we support in several ways. As an owner of a small business, my responsibilities are “soup to nuts.” There are days where I will have a meeting with an executive at a Fortune 500 company and others where I handle tasks like inventory management and accounting.” 

What he loves about it: “There is nothing more rewarding to me than putting down a vision on paper— for a new product line, new channel of distribution, or process improvement—and watching it come to fruition. It’s hard work but it’s also extremely rewarding.” 

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “I wear many hats as a business owner, and I think a liberal arts education is one that forces you to wear many hats as a student.  I took different courses at UVM in different fields such as economics, architecture, philosophy, and (of course) history. This required me to be open to learning different materials in different settings on a daily basis, and I had to pivot my mindset from class to class. Today, I am constantly having to pivot in a similar way. One moment I am addressing a supply chain issue and the next I am working on a marketing presentation. Having a well-rounded education helped me become a more well-rounded person inside and outside the classroom.”