Students and Facuty came out Tuesday evening to the Tower Conference Room to hear Valarie Reed speak about her experience in foreign affairs, as well as the importance of a specific skill set when entering any international occupation. Ms. Reed, who graduated in 2007 with a duel degree in English and Political Science reflected on how Elizabethtown had prepared her for the workforce and came back to share her insight. She is now a consoler for the Foreign Service finishing up a two-year term in Venezuela.

After Elizabethtown, Ms. Reed continued her education by attending graduate school at George Washington University. George Washington University is located in Washing D.C., a location highly suggested to Ms. Reed when pursuing any careers in political science. The graduate university aided in improving Ms. Reed’s critical thinking skills in addition to gaining hands-on experience. Throughout graduate school, one lesson in particular kept surfacing to Ms. Reed- that lesson being the importance of learning a second language.

“When you can’t communicate with them [others], you can’t build a relationship with them,” Ms. Reed said

Ms. Reed organized notes for the conversation that included things that she found helpful throughout her career, recommendations for people who are interested in international affairs, grad programs, study abroad, government service and specifically the Foreign Service. Even though Ms. Reed brought material to share with us she was more than happy to answer any questions that preceded her discussion

After grad school Ms. Reed acquired a civil service job at the state department, which was beneficial in gaining practical experience through a variety of tasks that included managing programs and helping other countries export controls for WMD related items. Ms. Reed desired to elevate herself, so she applied to foreign affairs, which runs the state department. She stressed that is imperative to always have patience, good networking etiquette and always thank and respond in a timely manor. She then reflected on her English major, as being the major that most effectively taught her analytical, reading, and literature skills, which were very important for critical thinking.

“It is important that you learn on your feet. If you’re asked to jump into something, you don’t say you don’t know how, you learn, you fake it until you make it,” stated Reed.

Christian Gleim, Ms. Reed’s spouse, who is also a 2007 graduate of Elizabethtown, accompanied her last Tuesday to share an alternative path in the Foreign Services. He explained that there are also specialists like doctors or people who work in human resources and IT that can bypass the traditional application. He further discussed how there are many logistical jobs not involving diplomacy like how to import cars, get a hold of medicine, organize security and managing the staff. Overall he emphasized that having and learning a variety of skills is most essential in life.

“Learn as much as you can, at any particular point, because the more skills you have the more valuable you become, you become an asset, and that is most important, that is how you move up in the world,” said Gleim.

Ms. Reed made it clear that she chose this path in her life because she is not only fond of experiencing things that are out of the ordinary, but also for her love of her country and love of traveling, stemming from the fact that both of her parents were in the army, as well as her love of learning new languages and cultures.

“I have always said I can’t do pushups so this was the way I could serve my country,” said Reed.

-Jake Deacon