Zicklin School of Business Undergrad Chosen for U.S. State Department Diplomacy Seminar
November 18, 2019
Shaffiou Assoumanou, who is also a member of Baruch College’s SEEK program, was selected to participate in the 2019 Cox-State Diplomacy Seminar in Washington, DC to learn about careers in the U.S. State Department.
Known as “Mr. Ambassador” while attending International Community High School in the South Bronx, Shaffiou Assoumanou (’20), a Zicklin School of Business student, seized the opportunity to gain insight into the real-world responsibilities and challenges of such an official role with the U.S. government this fall.
Assoumanou, an economics major with a minor in political science, was selected among 28 students out of more than 540 applicants nationwide to participate in the 2019 Cox-State Department Diplomacy Seminar in Washington, D.C. held in October in Washington, DC.
During the three-day event, Assoumanou joined fellow students to expand their knowledge of diplomacy through workshops, visits to organizations involved in international affairs, and interactions with Foreign Services Officers and international affairs experts at the U.S. Department of State.
“Challenging Yourself and Cultivating Relationships”
Assoumanou, who is also a member of Baruch College’s SEEK program, said the seminar experience with the U.S. Department of State taught him that “diplomacy is a journey which requires challenging yourself and being ready for surprises” and “cultivating relationships.”
For Assoumanou, the opportunity also contributed to his plans after college. “In the future, I want to pursue a career in business or finance, become an entrepreneur at one point, and finally establish a career in politics by running for office or in international affairs by becoming an ambassador.
“Participating in this program gave me a taste of what it means and takes to be an ambassador and knowing this now will help me better prepare myself for this career.”
This past summer, Assoumanou was among four Zicklin students selected for the sought-after Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management Program. According to Harvard Business School, the venture in management program helps students “develop a broader understanding of the challenges business leaders face.”
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