As federal job cuts reshape the policy landscape, the School of Public Policy is helping alumni reimagine their careers through its “Navigating Career Transitions” workshop. For Olivia Parker MPP ’24, that support guided her shift from government service to a new role with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Parker will soon relocate from Washington, D.C. to London, where IISS is headquartered, to join a team focused on China’s strategic and military developments. Until her move, she is working in IISS’s D.C. office alongside her career coach from the Career Transitions workshop, Leigh Sloane—who played a critical role in Parker’s journey.
“The Career Transitions workshop was a turning point for me—not just for landing a job, but for gaining clarity, confidence and a sense of direction,” Parker said. “It helped me reimagine what’s possible.”
The workshop also opened the door to key networking opportunities. Through IISS-hosted events, Parker connected with IISS Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy Meia Nouwens, who now serves as her supervisor. “The workshop gave me the tools to clearly articulate my background and feel confident in presenting myself at professional events,” she said.
For Parker, translating her federal government experience into an international research role was not easy. Years of work with federal service, including the State Department and Department of Defense provided deep subject-matter expertise, but the language of federal job titles often failed to resonate beyond government circles. “The workshop helped me refocus on the core skills and impact of my work—like research design, policy analysis and cross-agency collaboration—and reframe that experience for an international research audience.”
At IISS, Parker now applies the analytical foundation she built at SPP to a broader stage. Courses in cybersecurity, data visualization and foreign policy, taught by Professors Charles Harry and Josh Shifrinson, sharpened her ability to analyze structural and historical forces shaping global security—skills she now applies directly to Chinese intelligence and military strategies. Her fluency in Mandarin allows her to work directly with primary sources and contribute unique insights to her team.
With large-scale reductions across government agencies, the School’s Navigating Career Transitions workshop has offered alumni one-on-one coaching, resume and interview preparation, and the tools to pivot into new sectors.
For Parker, the workshop wasn’t just about finding a job; it was about expanding her horizons. “This transition allows me to approach China-related issues from a more global perspective,” she said. “I’ll now be collaborating with researchers and institutions from around the world. I’m excited to be part of an international research hub, broaden my lens and contribute to more globally informed policy discussions.”
