Tori Pollak

Tori Pollak is a junior from Williams Bay, Wisconsin, majoring in International Relations with specializations in International Security and Comparative International Governance. She is primarily interested in how international organizations, like the United Nations, respond and react to crises involving genocide, nuclear threats, and population displacement. She spoke with us about how she has explored IR inside and outside of the classroom, advice for students interested in IR, and her exciting future career goals!

What is your favorite IR class you’ve taken?

My favorite IR class so far has been IR 62Q: Mass Atrocities: Reckoning and Reconciliation. Professor Lutomski is an international lawyer with a myriad of history knowledge. The course covers various historical atrocities such as the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and apartheid in South Africa, as well as discussing the most efficient ways to bring justice for the victims. If there was any doubt that I wanted to be an international relations major, this class dissolved those thoughts. I came into the IR program with specific interests, but I’ve found completely new passions due to the variety of courses I’ve taken. Being able to explore my interests has allowed me to see opportunities within IR that I didn’t know existed.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship this past fall?

During the Fall 2021 quarter, I interned with the United States Department of State, United Nations Political Affairs office (UNP). My internship was a great introduction to the behind-the-scenes work of the State Department. I was able to work with representatives of incoming nations to the UN Security Council, as well as complete two long term projects: one on Women, Peace, and Security initiatives, and one on Special Political Missions with human rights objectives. I was also able to help draft talking points that would later be read at UN Security Council meetings. Given my interest in the UN, being able to attend meetings and work with people directly related to UN business was extremely rewarding for me. All of the work I completed at UNP directly related to my interests, and it certainly motivated my career goals.

What are your future career goals?

My future career goals are to work in the foreign service through the US Department of State. I will be taking the foreign service officer test this spring, which will hopefully lead to a career working at US embassies abroad.