Léa Gervais Glaenzer is a National Security Analyst with Pallas Advisors, a boutique D.C. consulting firm specializing in emerging dual-use technologies and bringing innovation to defense. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict and Conflict Resolution from the Elliott School of International Affairs and a B.A. in Political Science from Bard College. A native French speaker who grew up in the Silicon Valley and New York City, Léa also spent a semester at SciencesPo in Paris, France. Her capstone project was in partnership with the Burma desk at the State Department and analyzed diplomatic paths toward restoring democracy in Myanmar through a strengthened partnership with India and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Her undergraduate thesis focused on Western Sahara and US foreign policy. Before joining Pallas Advisors, Léa was an intern at Search for Common Ground with the Africa team and MENA/Asia team, focusing on East Africa, and an administrative assistant at the Elliott School's Graduate Student Services.
When did you realize you wanted an international career?
Having an international career was almost a certainty for me as a daughter of immigrants, but it was only after studying abroad in Berlin, where many of my peers were Syrian refugees, that I realized I wanted a career in international relations and politics.
What is your current position? What did the path look like to get there?
I currently work at Pallas Advisors as a National Security Analyst. This role is dynamic and always exciting, allowing me to dip a finger into a variety of projects concerning emerging technologies and defense.
Many recent graduates may relate to this, but I was offered the position after a paid Fellowship with the Pallas Foundation. This was after a three-month job search, which resulted in internship/fellowship-level opportunities–I've seen lots of organizations do this now to vet and train incoming employees, especially with recent grads.
What part of your experience at the Elliott School best prepared you for a post-grad career?
As with all things, reps and sets are the only way to get really good. Because of the Elliott School, I'm familiar with what it is like to work on an independent timeline and interdependently with a team on projects that touch current events, political risk, national security, and domestic and foreign politics.
But most of all, one of my favorite parts of my Elliott School experience was working at the Graduate Student Services (GSS) office. Not just for the incredible team that taught me professionalism and how to cultivate a warm work environment, but also for event planning, and being receptive and eager to partake in the many opportunities GW opens for its students. Being plugged into the community in that way heightened my experience in so many ways, and I'll always be grateful to the GSS team for that. Not to mention all the incredible friends made along the way!
What advice do you have for prospective students who are considering a graduate degree in international relations?
I believe a graduate degree in international relations is wholly worth it because, like all professions, these involve a heavy amount of networking. Going to a D.C. school like George Washington University opens up a whole world of connections, in addition to the many interesting IR-themed events and communities that share that intellectual passion.
My advice would be to say yes as often as you can. As a student, you're in a unique position to walk up to anyone at an event and ask what it is they do, and people love talking about themselves.
What did you value most about living and studying in D.C.?
Personally, I love D.C. Even after being here for three years, I discover new hidden gems constantly. Living in Foggy Bottom, my favorite spot was the Lincoln Memorial.
But the best part about living and studying was the café culture, honestly. Go to any café in DC (especially between Georgetown and Foggy Bottom) and you'll find some kinship among the many students with a coffee and laptop, posted up to do some work.
What is your favorite book?
It's difficult to define one particular book. I must say, when I was about 7, it was the Twilight series that made it so I wasn't intimidated by large books. I still read those thousand-page fantasy novels…
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The #WeAreElliott profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights current students to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
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