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Laura K. Forest
San Diego, California

I graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Political Science (emphasis in International Politics) in 1984. My arrival in Winona and my commitment to completing my degree at WSU was entirely unplanned. My parents relocated to Winona from California in 1981 and I joined them after a disappointing freshman year at the University of the Pacific. My intention was to take a course or two at WSU while I decided where I really wanted to end up. I took two initial courses taught by Dr. El-Afandi and Dr. Eddy and I was hooked to WSU's Political Science program. I felt an instant connection to and excitement for the curriculum and these wonderful professors. Winona turned out to be a great town to live in, despite the climate shock to this California girl.

I always had a desire to see the world and study politics. I wasn't sure how this could be applied to real life and making a living and frankly I tried not to think about it too much. I just wanted to enjoy what I was studying. I had fantasies about working in the Foreign Service but couldn't really get my mind around that yet. My professors did well by advising me to study a language, take advantage of overseas study programs and to mix my political studies with practical courses such as computer's, public policy (budgeting) and business economics. As it turned out, these extra courses were essential to my marketability and later career choices.

My destiny was no clearer when I graduated than it had been up until then. I returned to San Diego to ponder all the choices and supported myself with a temporary position in Human Resources for a computer graphics software company. I spent five years at this company and ultimately ended up managing the Human Resources, Facilities and Administration departments. My abilities to use and understand computer technology, to clearly communicate, to analyze complex social and business structures, and to budget and manage resources well were key to my success. Thank you WSU. I had a fine career going but my desire to work in the public, international sector kept nagging at me.

I did end up discovering my destiny eventually. With marketable administration skills and a strong political education, I applied and was accepted into the Foreign Service in 1989. I was posted as an Administrative Officer to several embassies overseas in the Near East and Latin America and I had the time of my life. Here was my perfect fit. An international position in the public sector, which called upon my administrative management and political science skill base.

Surprisingly, I am now back in San Diego. Morale in the Foreign Service was suffering due to budget cuts, reorganizations, "reinventing government" initiatives and post Cold War evaluations of our Foreign Policy strategy. After six years in government, I felt maybe I had one last chance to see if life on the commercial side of the fence would be more satisfying before I became too embedded in the federal government. I've been working at a computer software company for the last two years in San Diego as the Director of Administration. Guess what? My job is to support and suggest ways to make the best out of fluctuating revenue cycles by implementing budget cuts, reorganizations, "reinventing business" initiatives and post Microsoft war evaluations of our market strategy. I've reapplied to the Foreign Service and hope to be packing my bags and meeting up with my destiny again very shortly.

My advice to students?

Get some practical experience and courses under your belt to start and to fall back on. Don't be afraid to try on different career hats. You need to find your personal fit. Learn to adapt to change. It's a reality of any workplace. Money isn't everything but keep some in savings at all times. Job security is relative these days. Find and follow your bliss. Doing so allows you to keep the unavoidable stresses in perspective.

Sincerely,

Laura Forest

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