Chelsea Irvin
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts, Class of 2007
Major/Department:
Political Science
Hometown:
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Career Destination:
Fall 2007 Admission - University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Master of Public and International Affairs, Security and Intelligence Studies
How/why did you choose your major?
I came to Case as a pre-med/biology major. After a year I was very unhappy with my coursework, so I took the MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory assessments at the Career Center. The assessment told me that I was in the wrong major, so I took a semester off of science coursework to explore my options. I stumbled into political science courses and haven't stopped taking them since.
What experiential learning activities did you participate in?
I completed an internship through The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Office of International Affairs. I also did a summer abroad in Moscow, Russia.
What advice would you give to a student in pursuit of a major, internship/practicum, full-time position or graduate school admission?
Apply early! Also, make sure your applications and resume are the best they can be by having them critiqued at the Career Center.
What services have you found most useful at the Career Center?
I don't know of a useless service at the Career Center. Personally, the MBTI/Strong assessments changed the course of my life. One-on-one career counseling, internship search help, graduate school application help, and resume critiques have all been invaluable.
What academic course(s) has prepared you most for your career?
Intro to Comparative Politics, Intro to International Relations, Violence and the Political Systems, U.S. Intelligence and National Security, Western European Political Systems, and Politics of Development in the Global South.
What do you plan to do after graduation, and how has Case helped you reach that goal?
I am going to attend graduate school, and Case helped me reach that by providing me with the opportunity for an excellent education with a wonderful network of professors who helped me find appropriate schools to fit my goals.