Samantha Sullivan
samanthasullivan.md@gmail.com
The political science department celebrated its 40th anniversary this year with a “How Does It Work?” series. The first lecture, “‘Resilience’; Fighting Your Way Forward Through Graduate School (and beyond),” featured Cal Poly alumnus James Weber speaking on his life after Cal Poly within the field of international development.
Political science department chair Craig Arceneaux described the event as a “bit of a reminder that students shouldn’t grow too anxious if they haven’t decided yet.”
He said Weber is a very engaging individual with a passion for learning and that it’s a treat to hear the developments going on in Weber’s life.
Weber’s talk, which took place in Chumash Auditorium Monday, was well received by political science students.
“I was really relieved,” political science senior Carlos Villacis said. “I was worried about what I could do with my major. It calmed my fears and was a good start to the series.”
Villacis plans to attend each event in the series, he said.
Students outside of the major benefited from the lecture as well.
“I appreciated how he talked about how to apply for internships, and not to be defeated,” agribusiness sophomore Gabriella Bragoli said. “His emphasis is something a lot of students would benefit from hearing.”
Weber said graduate school is a good choice for most students, but not all of them. Everyone has a different story, Weber said, and for some it make sense to work directly, get a Ph.D or go directly to a graduate program.
“For me, it made sense to have a few years of work experience and work to impress graduate admissions staff with my résumé,” Weber said.
Weber said graduate school is a once in a lifetime chance and students should do whatever they can to get into the best one for them, if they choose to go.
According to Weber, if you can do something great and unique with jobs or internships, it really helps with graduate schools admissions.
One of the “great and unique” things Weber did was move to Switzerland and work with improving relations between Catholics and Protestants.
Weber has been very interested in social movements and stories of people overcoming odds to gain freedom and the rights they deserved since he was young, he said. He’s always wanted to be a part of that, he said.
Weber graduated from Cal Poly in 2005 with a political science degree. He worked for a few years aboard before getting his Master’s in Business Administration in business management and strategy from the University of Notre Dame.
While attending Cal Poly, Weber worked for Associated Students, Inc. and was the co-president of the political science club. He described himself as a converse-wearing, early 2000s kid whose hair was a different color every week. Weber said he didn’t really know how to apply for international jobs, he even sent the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) an email.
“They didn’t respond, I couldn’t figure out why,” Weber said.
Today, Weber works as an Independent Consultant for the United Nations. He consults to better understand challenges of the private sector of Haiti, which include transportation, clean water and most schools so the private sector is well represented to the international community, he said.
“That can mean helping to strengthen professional associations, for example,” Weber said. “My job has a focus on helping the private sector of Haiti become more resilient to future humanitarian catastrophe.”
The idea of resilience is better preparing countries at risk for disaster, he said. Instead of parking the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, build a fence at the top, was Weber’s example.
“In my job, I really enjoy working with rural stakeholders most vulnerable of citizens to help improve resilient and improve vulnerability to natural disasters,” he said.
As for the event, Weber hopes students can understand that they have so much opportunity right now finishing at Cal Poly, he said.
Weber said he believes graduating Cal Poly students are in the “99th percentile of capacity and opportunity” at their disposal. Although students are making difficult decisions about life right now, he said he hopes they realize their “immense opportunity to take active role in the rapidly changing world and to achieve personal goals.”
Arceneaux hoped students who attended the event gained a better appreciation of how exciting, frustrating and rewarding life can be after Cal Poly.