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Sam, Global Governance and Ethics Alumni, tells us about his time at UCL.
Tell us a bit about yourself, and your background
Hi, my name is Sam. I studied on the MSc Global Governance and Ethics programme in 2019-2020. I am now a trainee solicitor at an international law firm and currently work within the pro bono team. This means that I work across various areas of human rights law including asylum and child rights.
Can you share your overall experience as a student at UCL and in the Department of Political Science?
Despite the Masters running across the outbreak of the pandemic, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCL and with the Department of Political Science. The Department did an amazing job of transitioning all teaching online in what was an unprecedented situation and the sense of collegiality was definitely kept alive throughout the pandemic. Outside of my study I got involved in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and bachata as well as helping found a podcast with Tom Pegram that I'm still involved in to this day (Global Governance Futures)!
How was your experience on the GGE programme?
The GGE programme has been essential for how I understand, or try to understand, the world around me. When looking for a postgraduate programme, I wanted something with sufficient breadth and choice that also provided a grounding in the foundational principles of political science. GGE was perfect for this and I felt able to tailor my module selection to my specific interests. The academics working on each module promoted a culture of questioning and open discussion which I really appreciated as well.
How did the programme prepare you for your current career ?
I drew heavily on the subject matter I studied on the GGE programme, in particular for my dissertation, when applying for roles in law. The first team I worked for did a lot of large renewable projects across Sub-Saharan Africa and I was able to evidence my understanding of some of the dynamics at play from my research of the Belt and Road Initiative (China's global project of investment and development).
Outside of this, the skills required of GGE students, and the insistence on both qualitative and quantitative analysis, has stood me in good stead for a career in law. I have felt more adaptable in the workplace and more well-rounded as a result of the programme.
Finally, GGE is undeniably international in scope. The culture around the GGE programme and the great students that make up each cohort help develop open-mindedness and understanding. These qualities are essential when working in an international context such as law.
