1. Why did you choose IBEI Master’s?

During my Bachelor’s, the courses I most enjoyed were those on Peacebuilding, Mediation, and International Security. Not only are these fields constantly evolving, but one’s work can also positively affect other people. So, I knew I had to follow this path. Another deciding factor was to engage with Latin America, a region that unfortunately receives little attention in other European countries.

2. What is your experience at IBEI? 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at IBEI. This was mainly because of the deep bonds and long-lasting friendships I made throughout my Master’s. While other universities may offer prestige or a broader syllabus, IBEI’s unique selling point is the opportunity for personal growth.

3. Describe your career path since graduating from the IBEI

Shortly after my stay at IBEI, I started as an intern at the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At CELS, I analyzed the use of less-lethal weapons by Latin American security forces. To give examples, I would examine the purchase of Tasers by the Buenos Aires Municipal Police forces, write a paper on the use of gas grenade launchers during the Estallido Social in Colombia, or send a policy paper urging for restrictions for the use of less-lethal weapons to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH).

Afterwards, I moved to Bogotá, Colombia, to start as an intern at the Austrian Embassy in Bogotá. My job brought me to cultural events, meetings with Colombian ministries on the uses of Artificial Intelligence and exchanges between Austrian authors and the Colombian literary scene. However, my focus lay on analyzing the Colombian internal armed conflict. My most memorable moment happened during a session at the Delegation of the European Union to Colombia, when I acted as the official representative of Austria on the issue of law-enforcement measures and combatting drug trafficking.

Now, I work in the Research and Development Divison of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence, where I manage over 60 R&D projects funded through the European Defence Fund (EDF). In short, my work consists of connecting departments of the Austrian Armed Forces with Austrian entities (industry, universities and think tanks, among others), other EU Ministries of Defence and their respective national industries. When the objectives of these links align, I facilitate their work through various R&D projects in areas such as Cyber, Ground Warfare, Space or Air Defence. One of these projects is ODINS EYE II, which aims to develop a European space-based missile early warning architecture.

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

The most valuable thing that IBEI (especially my professor Paul Josephson) taught me was to write concise reports quickly. At the Austrian Embassy in Bogotá, I often had to produce multi-page reports in just a few hours. If I hadn’t written dozens of papers at IBEI, my writing would have been slow and lacked confidence.

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

Yes. I am immensely thankful (and lucky) that my dream came true, and I love every minute of my work.

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

Apply everywhere. In International Relations, work experience usually counts more than grades. Even if you get rejected from 99% of the jobs you apply to, that 1% can widen your portfolio in a field where interdisciplinarity is key.

7. What do you miss most about IBEI? 

To be surrounded by like-minded people who share your passions and dreams. Butalso small things, like sitting outside the cafeteria and watching people freak out when a giant seagull lands on their table.