The Junior Worlds Affairs Council’s annual International Career Day took place on Nov. 13, at the University of Arlington. Speakers from across the world were able to come speak to high school students, giving insight into what they would like to be when they are older. 

     “This year’s International Career Day taught us so much about the skills that are more important than ever,” said Junior Ashwini Ashwini Shirsalkar, a member of the club. “It really helped with perspective.” 

     The highlight for many of the students who attended was the chance to directly engage with the professionals, asking questions and discovering potential for future careers. Many of the Plano Senior students were able to speak one-on-one with Dr. Rick Halperin for advice and questions about his career choices. 

     “Who are you if you do not fight for human rights?” said Halperin, professor at the William P. Department of History at SMU. “You are lucky to be sitting in this room to learn more about the world. Others aren’t this lucky.”

     The students were able to listen to a total of five speakers, with topics ranging from global health to foreign service. Federico Valiente, the Global Director of Marketing at Yum Brands,  was also able to give the last panel of the day. Since Yum Brands is the parent company of Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell, Valiente has experience with changing branding and advertisements to fit other countries’ cultures which was the focus of what he spoke about. As well, Jorge Luis Chavarria Carranza, a member of the Mexican Foreign Service, was able to talk about his diplomatic career and the unexpected qualities of the job he has taken on.

     “It was so interesting to learn about how any job can become international,” said junior Zakiya Khan, Vice President of the Plano Senior JWAC chapter. “There is so much out in the world that you can never know until you experience it.” 

     International Career Day was not just an event, it was the beginning of a whole new way of thinking about careers and the opportunities that students have outside of the United States.