1. Why did you choose the IBEI Master’s?

I chose the Master’s in International Security as I have always had an interest in gaining a better understanding of interstate relations from a security perspective. Moreover, I believed that this would help me understand the International Relations and Security Studies dimension of cybersecurity, an area where I have both professional and academic experience in.

2. What is your experience at IBEI? 

I believe that my experience at IBEI was crucial in contributing to my long-term professional goal of being in academia. Coming from a Computer Science background, I wanted to transition to Security Studies. The training provided at IBEI gave me the necessary skillset to meet this objective.

3. Describe your career path since graduating from the IBEI

After graduating from IBEI I taught the fundamentals of International Relations in a university in the Philippines. After which I was accepted into a full-time research position at the Center for Security Studies in Zurich, Switzerland and moved back to Europe. At the same time, I am pursuing an external PhD with the University of Hildesheim in Germany.

4. How did the master programme prepare you for the work you're doing now?

The masters programme, being more research oriented, gave me the necessary knowledge and mindset required for the role I am currently in. This applies to both me being a researcher and a doctoral candidate.

5. Is this more or less what you pictured yourself doing after the master programme?

Yes

6. What advice would you give to current students who want to follow this career path? / Some advice to future IBEI students?

For those wishing to be in academia, I would advise students to take as much methods training as possible. This does not necessarily mean applying to the Research Master’s in International Relations. At the very least, if a student wishes to take a research role or to apply to a doctoral program, I would strongly encourage taking the electives in research methods on top of the core subjects.

7. What do you miss most about IBEI? 

I would say the environment and the people. IBEI and Barcelona as a whole has been one of the best experiences of my life both in terms of the education I received as well as the environment offered by the city and its people.