Transforming a Passion for Latin America Affairs into a Career

For one Seton Hall School of Diplomacy graduate, a passion for Latin American affairs became the foundation for a career focused on understanding and analyzing Brazil's political and economic landscape.

Today, he serves as an Associate Member at the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank focused on Western Hemisphere affairs. Although the organization covers the broader Americas, his work centers primarily on Brazil. He regularly contributes to the Dialogue's daily newsletter, The Latin America Advisor and has written for publications including the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, American Diplomacy, The Brazilian Report and Brazil.

His professional journey continued after graduating from Seton Hall, when he pursued a master's degree in Portuguese Language and Literature at the University of Massachusetts. After moving to Washington, D.C.,  fourteen years ago, he briefly interned at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs before finding his professional footing at institutions more closely connected to U.S.-Brazil relations, including the Wilson Center and the Inter-American Dialogue.

His day-to-day work involves attending and reporting on U.S.-Brazil-related events, following Brazilian political and economic developments through Portuguese-language news sources and reading extensively on Brazil's politics and economy in both English and Portuguese. This combination of research, writing and continued learning allows him to stay closely engaged with the issues shaping the region.

Looking back on his time at Seton Hall, he credits several professors with helping shape his academic and professional interests. Professors Edwards, who served as his thesis advisor, Murphy, whose course focused on statecraft and Goldfrank, whose Latin American Studies course provided direction for his eventual career pursuits, were particularly influential.

For current and prospective Diplos considering their own career paths, his advice is to pursue what genuinely interests them, provided they have the financial means to do so.

"As long as you can support yourself financially, pursue your passion," he advises.

For this alumnus, focusing on Brazilian politics and economics has proven both intellectually rewarding and professionally fulfilling, demonstrating how following one's interests can lead to a meaningful career in international affairs.

Categories: Alumni, Nation and World