IRIS NRC
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Career Resources

In partnership with the International Studies major, the IRIS NRC offers career events each semester to connect undergraduate and graduate students with professionals working in different areas of International Studies careers. 

The goal for each event is to provide students with: 

  • career advice and ways to network
  • recommendations for skills development
  • a place to ask career questions to those working in the field

UW-Madison Career Resources

Past Events & Resources

Diplomatic Careers for UW-Madison Students (October 2021)

Hosted by Successworks

Guest speaker: Ron Packowitz, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomat in Residence for the Midwest

Badgers Exploring International Development Careers (October 2021)

Virtual Trek hosted by Successworks

Panelists: Matthew Conway, United Nations – International Organization for Migration; Michael Eddy, USAID; Briana Olson, U.S. Department of State; Shannon Small, U.S. Department of State

Resources

Careers in International Business (April 2021) 

Speakers: 

  • Jay P. Nash, Founder and Principal of Nash Global Trade Services (NGTS), a consultancy specializing in U.S. and non-U.S. export compliance, including trade controls and compliance for countries in the Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Nash also serves as the President of the Madison International Trade Association (MITA).
  • Tanja Nitschke, a UW-Madison alum, Vice-President for Global HR, Talent Management & Total Rewards at Eventbrite. Nitschke has 10+ years of strategic HR and HR leadership experience with Funding Circle, Twitter, Groupon, and CUNA Mutual.

Resources

Careers in International Education (March 2021)

Speakers: 

  • Anne Smiley: IRC’s Deputy Project Director of Research for the LEGO Foundation-funded PlayMatters project, an education program for refugee children in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. Previously served as Associate Director of Research and Evaluation with FHI 360’s Global Education, Employment and Engagement unit.
  • Emily Hall: Community Engagement Coordinator for the U.S. Department of State funded English Language Programs at the Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) at Georgetown University (GU).

Careers in Global Security (February 2021)

Speakers: 

  • Lili Dalton: Program Manager (Africa) Programs, Partnerships, and Policy Team Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Bureau of Diplomatic Security U.S. Department of State
  • Tristan Tafolla: Director of International Risk Management at Columbia University

Careers in Law (October 2020) 

Speakers: 

  • Shabnam Lotfi: Graduate of UW Law School and founder of Lotfi Legal LLC, a Madison law firm exclusively focused on immigration law and immigration litigation.
  • Anthony Sparks: Advising Fellow in the UW Law School Center for Pre-Law Advising & a veteran of the US Air Force interested in military, administrative, and corporate law.

Non-profits and NGOs (September 2020) 

Speakers: 

  • Gabriela Cristobal: IS Major Alumna and Director of Programs and Strategic Engagement at the United State of Women, Washington DC. 
  • Emmeline Prattke: Career Advisor for the Government, Politics, Policy, International Affairs and Law Career Community, UW-Madison Successworks.