Meet Jhoalmo Sibrian. Jhoalmo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies specializing in Europe, Latin America, Security, and Diplomacy in May 2017. He is currently working as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Public Policy Fellow for the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
We asked Jhoalmo some questions, advice for current students, and how UNT helped them to succeed and SOAR BEYOND!
When you started at UNT, what were your plans after graduation? I knew I wanted to pursue a career in International Affairs and gain experience abroad. As a result, I applied to the U.S. Fulbright Program in Colombia. I also wanted to gain professional experience prior to applying to graduate school or the Rangel Fellowship Program, which is why I was drawn to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Program.
What advice do you have for prospective or current students as they decide what they want their next steps to be? Be flexible and enjoy the journey as the destination will continually change. If you are interested in foreign affairs, you do not need to travel to make a difference; always try to be an active participant in your community or community service projects as a student. Pursue leadership positions. Use the resources around you, and always be grateful.
How did your program(s) at UNT help you to feel prepared for your role/program/next steps? The program’s flexibility allowed me to further develop the interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills that employers value. Additionally, I gained substantive knowledge in some of the areas that I currently cover, including transnational crime, civilian security, democracy, immigration, human rights, and other western hemisphere-related issues.
What are your future plans? I will be attending Harvard this fall to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Would you like to be featured in our Soaring Beyond Success Series? Submit your story here and email Jeanette Hickl. We’d love to share your story!
