
More than 50 current Ford School students and recent graduates met with alumni through three different panel discussions spanning time zones and cultures for the Day of Global Careers, a virtual event celebrating the school’s global community.
“We wanted to create an event that showcased the breadth of experiences of our alumni working abroad and make international career pathways more understood and accessible to our students,” said Emma Frazier, associate director of Graduate Career Services. “Many students want to work in organizations that are difficult to break into, so to have alumni share their journeys is helpful.”
It was the first time the school’s Office of Career Services organized a virtual event of this size and scope on a single day, specifically highlighting global pathways. With speakers joining from 10 countries across five continents, panels were organized by geographic region to accommodate and encourage students from all over the world to participate. Alumni speakers were intentionally chosen to represent a diversity of place and sector in order to highlight the range of opportunity available to Ford School graduates.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest from both domestic and international students about working outside of the United States,” said Peter Vasher, director of Career Services. “This event allowed members of our global alumni network to share their experiences and reconnect with the Ford School.”

Panelists advised students to keep an open mind about what they want to do, explore non-linear career paths, and recognize their peers as potential collaborators and colleagues in the future. They also emphasized the quantitative, policy analysis, and writing skills they received at the Ford School as being instrumental in their daily work.
“This was also an opportunity for incoming students to get excited about the academic year,” said Frazier. “We’re likely to host a similar event again in the future.”
The momentum didn’t stop after the Day of Global Careers. On July 10, more than 225 Fordies gathered in person for the 15th annual Spirit Day to celebrate their shared experiences and lifelong community. Events took place in Ann Arbor, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington DC. View the photo album for a glimpse of the festivities.