BA in Global Affairs

Michael Ghielmetti, 2010

Michael  Ghielmetti

What work are you doing now?

I work for a global power and automation company, ABB, located in Zurich, Switzerland. I have the title Global Initiatives Manager.  I propose, implement, and coordinate projects that position ABB as a pioneering technology leader.

What do you like about it?

In my current position, I am able to work across ABB's entire business portfolio, including all aspects of corporate-level communications. My team and I work with public affairs and media, and occasionally get to deep dive into topics that drive the core of ABB. Each project offers a new learning experience, which is essential to the engagement and reward of this position.

How did your degree in the college prepare you to do this work?

My time as a global affairs student let me explore the diverse opportunities available at and around Mason. Whether through my internship at the Embassy of Liechtenstein in Washington, D.C., or the required courses that gave me a better understanding of legislation that directly affects international business policy, I used my coursework experience to its fullest. Both the courses required in the program and the additional coursework I took on the advice of Global Affairs director Dr. Lisa Breglia—for example in geography and global information systems—created a curiosity about globalization that drives me today.

What advice would you give current students about developing their careers?

Don't be afraid to explore what George Mason has to offer. Design your coursework around your interests. It's okay to be a generalist! But if you do find something that interests you, take the deep dive.