By Todd Stock, President of the International Studies Club

To honor the “The International Education Week 2001” in November, the newly established International Studies Club last month held its inaugural event in collaboration with the International Business Club, presenting an educational forum on careers in the International field and on changes in U.S. foreign policy since the events of September 11. 

The clubs hosted Mr. Mark Minton who is a senior diplomat with the US Department of State and and a recent Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Mr. Minton, who also has extensive experience in East Asia, is currently serving as Diplomat-in-Residence at Baruch College during the 2001-2002 academic year. 

In a one-hour talk followed by questions and answers, Mr. Minton delivered an overview of three paths of entry into careers in the State Department — the foreign service officer corps, the civil service corps, and the foreign service specialists corps. 

While employment is based competitive exams, Mr. Minton stated that students who have completed two years (60 credits) and are planning to continue at a four-year college would be eligible to apply for a Foreign Service Internship in a US embassy abroad.
They also heard Mr. Minto discuss issues pertaining to U.S. foreign policy.

Aida Sophia Carreno, an officer of the International Business Club, said: “I think that for International Studies and International Business students, Mr. Minton’s talk has been very helpful. Many of us are interested in pursuing careers in international affairs. Knowing someone in this field is a gateway to this career.”

The elected Officers of the International Studies (IS) Club are: Todd Stock, President; Carlos Sevillano, Vice President; Yolanda Martin, Secretary; Paula A. Nahr, Treasurer; and Morena Bennett-Smith, SAC Representative. Dr. Mohammad-Reza Fakhari, director of the International Studies Program, serves as the second advisor of the Club.