Career Symposium to Focus on Russia, Eastern Europe

The Center for Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Studies at the University of Virginia will host a career symposium March 28 for U.Va. undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in this region.

“Preparing for the World of Work: Russia, East Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia” will be held in Nau Hall, room 101, starting at 7 p.m.

“There will be a number of panelists who will discuss their career trajectory,” said Jeffrey Rossman, an associate professor in the Corcoran Department of History in the College of Arts & Sciences. “They will be discussing opportunities for graduates to find work in the region, or in the United States, related to the region.”

The featured speakers include: Ted Jonas, a managing partner of international law firm DLA Piper’s office in Tblisi, Republic of Georgia; Chris Mizelle, a U.Va. alumnus and director for Russia at the National Security Council from 2011 to 2012, and deputy national intelligence officer  for Russia/Eurasia for the Central Intelligence Agency from 2009 to 2011; Margo Squire, director of the Office of Strategic Communications & Outreach in the International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau, U.S. State Department; Ed Verona, president and chief executive officer of the U.S.-Russia Business Council; and Ambassador Ross Wilson, director of the Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council.

Rossman said the symposium would also be an opportunity for undergraduate students with an interest in the region to consider their career options early.

“This would be a chance for the students to get some good advice on how to build a career,” he said.

The symposium was made possible by a major grant from the Jefferson Trust.