United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu Frankie A. Reed spoke about the significance of gaining experience working oversea for a NGO or the government.
The event kicked off at 11 a.m. with Ambassador Reed talking about the US role in the Pacific and how it helps the various island nations their deal with both global and local issues that affect them, such as global warming and how the raising oceans are forcing them to move
“This was excellent, I get as much out and more out of these events then the audiences because I’ve been away for six months, and so it’s a chance for me to become more current, and also because I just left university, and I find that it’s a comfortable environment,” Ambassador Reed said. Ambassador Reed was a diplomat in residence at UC Berkely.
This isn’t the first time that Ambassador Reed has spoken at this kind of event. She enjoys these lectures, as it allows her a chance to talk to students and members of the community, giving her a chance to talk them about the opportunities available for those who are interested.
She also spoke of her own experience working overseas, whether it was for work or for a non-government organization (NGO), where she was able to gain experience working with people from other cultures and backgrounds. In addition, the lessons she has learnt during this time over the year has been helpful in her role as ambassador.
“It comes full circle you never know who you’re going to meet so don’t discard a place just because you don’t think that you’re meet someone that is going to help get you wherever you’re going to get,” Ambassador Reed said. She pointed out that some of the people she met when she first arrived in the various pacific island nations have become helpful to her in understanding the local political events and culture.
“The State Department has internships,” Ambassador Reed said. “It’s a great opportunity.”
A quick look at the state department shows that it has two internship programs, the State Student Internship Program (unpaid) and the Pathways Program (paid).
At the end of the event, she answered questions from the crowd.
“I would encourage it even for students who aren’t necessarily because it gives you a different perspective and because almost all businesses and government have an international component now, and so if you’re interested in management, I think it’s important to look at what the management school are doing in Asia, Europe, and Africa,” Ambassador Reed said in an interview after the event.
“It’s always nice how an ambassador come on campus and talking about different issues, kind of like educating the U.S. foreign policy because you don’t usually meet an ambassador…so it’s been a really greatly experience just to be here,” Student Trustee David Latt said.
The event took place in building six from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 6202. The event was organized by The Center for Student Life & Leadership Development and proudly sponsored by the student government of Skyline College and the President’s Innovation Funds.
This article headline has been edited to fix AP errors in the headline. 5/10/2013 12:54 p.m.