Are you interested in developing professional skills to help you succeed in global careers?

The Diplomacy Initiative Forum on Skills in Global Careers brings Carolina alumni to Chapel Hill to support students in exploring global career pathways and cultivating the skills necessary to work in global affairs. Participate in the policy brief competition, resume reviews and alumni discussions to gain a deeper understanding of the competencies required in global affairs while developing and refining professional skills essential for success.

CLE credit is available for the Policy Brief Competition awards ceremony and the global tech discussion. Activities can count for the Carolina Diplomacy Fellows program.

Policy Brief Competition

To submit to this year’s competition, please visit the 2026 Policy Brief Competition webpage. Submissions are due by April 8 at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15

• Policy Brief Competition awards ceremony
  • 5:30 p.m., FedEx Global Education Center, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
  • Carolina students are stepping up to take on global challenges like climate change, cybersecurity and migration through compelling policy briefs with innovative solutions. Celebrate the finalists of this year’s Policy Brief Competition at the awards ceremony. Hear from winners as they present their briefs, gain insights from the competition’s judges — five alumni who bring global affairs expertise from their accomplished careers — and learn how complex transnational crises demand multifaceted approaches, and what skills you can hone as you prepare for a career in policymaking. See alumni judges’ bios below!
• Alumni networking reception
  • 6:30 p.m., FedEx Global Education Center, fourth floor 
  • After the awards ceremony, join Carolina students, faculty, staff and alumni interested in global affairs for the annual networking reception. Meet professionals and peers and hear about their experiences and careers to learn about opportunities to chart your path to a career in global affairs.
  • RSVP to secure your spot for the ceremony and reception!

Thursday, April 16

• Resume review session: National security
  • 9:30-11:30 a.m., FedEx Global Education Center, room 2008/2010 (second floor conference room) 
  • Want to sharpen your federal resume for opportunities in national security? Sign up for a 10-minute slot to meet individually with Ned Kelly ’05 from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Kelly will review your resume and offer tips to strengthen it. Please bring a hard copy with you and dress professionally.
• Resume review session: General
  • 9:30-11:30 a.m., FedEx Global Education Center, room 2008/2010 (second floor conference room)
  • Looking for general resume advice for global careers? Sign up for a 10-minute slot to meet individually with Jatin Srivastava ’23, currently with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Srivastava will review your resume and offer tips to strengthen it. Please bring a hard copy with you and dress professionally.
• “Careers in Business Diplomacy: Global Tech Policy in the Age of AI”
  • 11 a.m.-12 p.m., FedEx Global Education Center, room 3009 (DeBerry Board Room)
  • Speak with Carolina alumnus and technology and science policy expert, Jeffrey Brown, about the intersections of global policy, business and technology. Brown has a range of global policy experiences from public to private sectors in the U.S. and abroad. Hear from Brown on his career path and advice for students entering the global policy field. Come ready to ask questions! RSVP to secure your spot!

Alumni judges

• Jeffrey Brown ’15 (M.A.)
• Jennifer Davis ’94, ’97 (JD)
• Ned Kelly ’05
• Justin Sosne ’06
• Jatin Srivastava ’23