IPSS Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
Written by Eva Gudbergsdottir // February 26, 2013 // IPSS, MIIS Around the World, Our Community // No comments
Alumni of the International Professional Service Semester (IPSS) program shared their experiences in the program and reflected on the deep effect it has had on their careers and lives at the 10-year anniversary celebration of the program on November 29. The program was the brainchild of Professor Ed Laurance, who ten years ago recognized the value of combining real-life work experience with rigorous academic training to prepare graduate students for the international careers of their dreams.
The program has been a huge success, to the joy of its founders and current staff, who follow with great interest the careers of participants, many of whom secure long-term employment at the international organizations to which they are assigned. Elena Illina Nicklasson, (MAIPS ’08, IPSS-UN) says one of the greatest benefits of the IPSS program is being treated as a contributing staff member and not an intern, and she credits the professional pre-departure training: “…so when we come into our workplace, we come in as experts and our opinion is very valued.”
Guests at the IPSS anniversary celebration included: (front) Carolyn Meyer (MAIPS ’05), Ashley Burke (MAIPS ’09); (back) Dr. Phil Morgan, Dr. Ed Laurance, President Sunder Ramaswamy, Nicholas Chudeau (MAIEP ’13), Elena Illina Nicklasson (MAIPS ’08), Paula Kirlin (MAIPS ’04).
