Laura Edwins '16

Laura Edwins is a 2016 graduate of the Patterson School where she was a Diplomacy major and a Security minor. She was also a dual J.D.-M.A. graduate with the J. Rosenberg College of Law. After graduating from these programs, she worked at the State Department as a Diplomat for 4 years, working in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In addition, she passed the Foreign Service Exam. She enjoyed this job and it taught her a lot about how the government worked and its intricacies. She currently works in administration at the University of Louisville Neurosurgery Department supporting professors and doctors in the medical school. Outside of academia, she was involved in radio shows in Mexico where she did a talk show for listeners (pictured below).

When asked about what advice she might give current Patterson students, Laura mentioned the skill sets she learned at Patterson such as memos, papers, and diplomatic interactions, especially noting what she learned from DIP 700 Dynamics of Diplomacy. She believes that these skills will help you get jobs you like, but also what professional businesses are looking for. High professional standards and skills you learn at Patterson will follow you to whatever job you choose, and may even come in handy in a time of need.