Ursinus programs provide tools to launch career on global scale.

“Almost 20 years ago, I graduated from Ursinus as an international relations major eager to embark on my career. Not knowing exactly where I would be after these two decades, I did know whatever it was, it would be on a global scale. Ursinus was the perfect incubator for my career of international development, trade, and investment. Boasting of a strong IR curriculum, robust study abroad program, and a skilled Spanish language professor, I had access to the necessary toolkit to support my launch.

Directly after graduation, I spent two years engaging stakeholders in a rural community in El Salvador and implementing health and education projects with a local school. Since then, I have spent the better part of the past two decades providing quality services and solutions to clients and stakeholders across Global South countries. Both with an NGO and large global consulting firm, I have managed multi-million dollar projects and multi-stakeholder collaborations, targeting improved development outcomes and social impact for key populations across emerging markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Building on this trajectory, last year I started a global boutique consulting firm, Global SouthXSouth Consulting, along with a business partner. Our firm provides business advisory for investment strategy, capital raises, trade facilitation and project implementation to support startups and SMEs in achieving economic growth and creating social impact across Global South markets.

The Bear network means a lot to me, and I find it important to connect with younger graduates to support them with meaningful guidance and mentorship as they leave campus. In 2019, I hosted an alumnus, Paul Cottam ’19, for a week-long externship at my previous employer, Cardno International Development. This was a meaningful experience where Paul shadowed me for several days to discover different aspects of the consulting industry in the international development context. In addition to learning about my role and my project, I set up lightning interviews with other colleagues working in different capacities and levels of senior all the way up to the managing director. I’m happy to be a part of this community and am always excited to pay it forward and continue to add value to the next generation.” - Vance Whitfield ’02