Empowering international students to explore opportunities beyond the U.S. job market is one of the International Career Collective’s (ICC) core goals. In line with this mission, the ICC hosted its first-ever in-person event, the Global Careers in STEAM Forum, on October 14th at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C. The ICC partnered with the JHU Science Diplomacy Hub and EURAXESS-North American, to provide students with valuable insights and strategies for navigating international career paths in STEAM fields. This event was aimed at students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines, helping them understand the global landscape of opportunities available to them.

Like many students and career services professionals attending the event, I had limited knowledge of what Science Diplomacy truly entails. In her welcome remark, Ona Ambrozaite, Co-Director of the JHU Science Diplomacy Hub, provided a clear and insightful explanation:
“Science Diplomacy focuses on how international scientific collaboration can maintain and build bridges between nations, especially when political situations and international relations are fragile. National security, global health, sustainable development, and trade are just a few areas impacted by scientific advancements, all of which require the expertise and input of scientists across various career stages.”
Derya Buyuktanir Karacan and Jackson Howard from EURAXESS-North America delivered a powerful message on the vital importance of networking. Derya encouraged students to see the event as a prime opportunity to build connections and relationships with peers and diplomats in attendance. Jackson expressed enthusiasm about partnering with higher education institutions to share more about EURAXESS-North America’s wide range of offerings, including funding, job, and collaboration opportunities. Finally, Yasir Kurt, Founder of the International Career Collective, thanked all attendees for their support, stating, “This is just the beginning of many future collaborations aimed at offering students opportunities around global employability.”
The Global Careers in STEAM Forum was divided into two main sections: a panel discussion and roundtable networking sessions, each designed to foster learning and connections. The event’s structure facilitated rich dialogues between students, diplomats, and professionals, helping participants gain a deeper understanding of global opportunities in science diplomacy and international research.
During the panel discussion, perspectives were shared by prominent diplomats, including Yannick Tona (Embassy of Rwanda), Marcella Kneppers (Netherlands Innovation Network), Zeliha Kocak Tufan (Embassy of Türkiye), Michel Wallemacq (Embassy of Belgium), Samuli Kaijomaa & Hannakaisa Andersson (Embassy of Finland), and Evelina Santa (Embassy of Germany). Diplomats shared their unique journeys into the field of Science Diplomacy, providing invaluable insights into global job markets and the essential skills needed for success in international careers. They emphasized the importance of understanding regional employment trends and navigating cultural nuances that young scholars must consider when building global career strategies.

Key takeaways from the panel included the necessity of being a specialist today and a generalist tomorrow, understanding how to use your voice to create opportunities, and positioning yourself as the talent organizations do not yet know they need. These insights gave students clear strategies for making an impact in the global job market. As Christine Routzahn, Director of the Liaison to Economics and Financial Economics Career Center at University of Maryland, Baltimore County shared that “our students tend to only focus on US. Therefore, expanding students’ understanding of finding careers outside the US. was new shift in consideration for them, which I appreciated.”
Following the panel, the event moved into roundtable networking sessions, where the energy in the room was palpable. Students, diplomats, and professionals engaged in more personal discussions about global career paths and science diplomacy. The roundtables allowed students to speak one-on-one with embassy staff, ask detailed questions, and explore specific opportunities for international research and collaboration.
Higher Ed Professionals from ICC partner schools—including Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Pittsburgh, Suffolk University, and University of Maryland-College Park, also attended the event. They were eager to engage in dynamic discussions and exchange ideas with embassy officials and peers from other institutions. The active participation of these students contributed to a collaborative and stimulating environment where ideas about science diplomacy and international careers were freely shared.
Several students approached me to express their gratitude and share their insights. One student from NYU remarked that their country’s embassy lacks a “Science Diplomat,” a role they had not previously known existed. They were excited about the opportunity to connect with ambassadors who attended
the event, particularly noting a positive exchange with the ambassadors. Another student from the University of Maryland, Baltimore City, echoed similar sentiments, expressing curiosity about Science Diplomacy and asking how best to explore employment opportunities in this growing field. The enthusiasm and curiosity from students were evident, highlighting the event’s impact in sparking new conversations and opportunities. All the students were pro when it comes to networking and carrying the conversation professionally by asking meaningful questions.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing how the forum had broadened their understanding of global career paths in STEAM. Several testimonials captured the value of the event and reflected the event’s success in fostering meaningful connections and inspiring students to explore international career paths:
– “I just wanted to say a big thank you for organizing the Embassy Engagement trip to DC! It was such a great experience, and I really enjoyed the discussions with the embassy staff. The event was super insightful, and I learned a lot about global work options in STEM.”
– “The Global Careers in STEAM Forum was truly eye-opening. Connecting with science diplomats broadened my understanding of how science and policy intersect on a global scale.”
– “Had the opportunity to converse with some of the consul members at the Global STEM/STEAM event to understand more about the work opportunities and other areas of interest for the respective countries other than what was discussed during the panel. Also. a good opportunity to network with students from other ICC member universities.”
– “The discussions on cultural competency really resonated with me. Engaging with talented Science Diplomats from D.C. highlighted the importance of flexibility and adaptability in a global career. Navigating different cultural contexts goes beyond professional growth—it’s about building meaningful connections across the world. Thank you to these inspiring professionals!”
– “This was a wonderful experience, providing insights and opportunities both regionally and globally and I was grateful to be a part of it.”
– “We attended the International Career Collective event at Johns Hopkins, which featured an incredible panel of experts. It was a wonderful chance to network with grad students from various colleges and exchange valuable insights.”
– “Engaging with professionals from different fields gave me new perspectives on how collaboration across sectors can drive innovation.”
– “The forum emphasized the importance of science diplomacy, and I left feeling motivated to explore career paths that combine research with policy impact.”
– “I loved how the forum highlighted the role of STEM in global diplomacy. It was a unique experience that opened my eyes to new career possibilities.”
A standout moment came from Kelly Graham, who brought a group of students from New York University (NYU) to the event. She shared that the NYU students were thrilled with the experience, with the bus ride back to NYC buzzing with conversations about the forum. Their enthusiasm underscored how the event ignited fresh ideas and aspirations, encouraging students to think critically about leveraging international opportunities in their future careers.
The Career Services professionals who attended the forum also appreciated its impact. EURAXESS, in particular, provided critical information about mobility opportunities and the EURAXESS Jobs Portal, which could serve as a valuable resource for students seeking international research positions. Many Career Services staff expressed interest in collaborating with EURAXESS in the future to host info sessions on global mobility and research funding opportunities.
As the ICC, JHU Science Diplomacy Hub, and EURAXESS North America continue their work, they remain committed to promoting international collaboration and supporting students as they pursue global opportunities. Students are encouraged to stay connected with the JHU Science Diplomacy Hub and follow EURAXESS North America for updates on future events and research collaborations.
For more information on upcoming events and opportunities, students can register for the EURAXESS North America newsletter and visit the websites of the JHU Science Diplomacy Hub and the ICC. These platforms provide a wealth of resources, including funding, job, and collaboration opportunities, as well as events and webinars on various topics related to Horizon Europe, the largest-ever EU funding program for research and innovation.
Students are also invited to join the JHU Science Diplomacy Hub by following this link: https://washingtondc.jhu.edu/research-policy/johns-hopkins-science-diplomacy-hub/ .
If you would like to learn more about on funding, job, and collaboration opportunities as well as events and webinars on various topics related to Horizon Europe, the largest-ever EU funding program for research and innovation for researchers in North America and Europe, you can register for mailing list to access newsletter http://bit.ly/EURAXESSNAnewsletter their website also has tremendous resources for students and aspirational researchers http://NorthAmerica.euraxess.org/
To stay updated on the ICC’s initiatives, students can visit: https://imagine.jhu.edu/icc/ or follow the ICC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international/ .
The Global Careers in STEAM Forum was an enriching experience for all who participated, and it marks just the beginning of future collaborations that will continue to empower students to explore global career opportunities.