August 2022 Spotlight: Salomé Gonzalez
Salomé Gonzalez, ISPA Class of 2017, Paris VIII and ISCOM, Graduated in Spring 2022
Degree: Masters Degree in International global communications and Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science
Career Goals: My ultimate goal has always been to be the Director of Corporate Communications in an international communications agency. At the moment I have gained much experience in the lobbying and marketing industry and I am in the complex process of setting up my own business. My short-term goal is therefore to adequately develop my personal brand.
What has been the biggest surprise about the college experience? My most considerable surprise during college was the crucial significance of choices. From how we spend our time to the courses we decide to take, our college decisions greatly affect our professional lives. I quickly realized that to achieve my goals of becoming an expert in the corporate and political communications field I needed to spend my time serving high-profile internships and improving my skills. It’s easy to get lost in our sense of independence, but our choices can indeed open up rare opportunities, you have to be dynamic and alert.
Most challenging coursework in college? Constitutional law during my bachelor’s degree in political science. It is a branch of public law. It gathers the rules relating to the form of the State, the constitution of the government and public powers, and the participation of citizens in the exercise of these authorities. This course required a significant personal investment and effort on my work methodology.
Accomplishment most proud of? I am extremely appreciative of my numerous internships in consulting firms and global communications agencies. I served my first internship as a Public Affairs Officer at Virtus Conseil. Then, had the pleasure to pursue an internship in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Havas Paris and a consulting position in Crisis Communications at Burson Cohn & Wolfe France. I presently occupy a post as a project manager in charge of marketing a large-scale corporate academy for collaborative working software. My involvement in the Cercle Culture & Médias is also crucially important to me. I was able to coordinate several events that were close to my heart such as the launch of The Well magazine at the Tokyo Art Club where 100 women of culture were highlighted and distinguished. I am also a member of the group “Public Affairs Young Leaders Paris.”
Can you provide any advice for current ISPA students? Have plans other than going out to Sunset Place after school and if you have the opportunity an internship in your senior year! We don’t apprehend it when we are still teenagers but there are many opportunities in this world no matter what your dream is. Your work, your methodology, and your network can be built from high school. It is equally significant to stay connected and supportive. A remarkable way to achieve this is to volunteer for a cause that you really care about, which can encourage you to discover new missions and develop your skills.
Can you tell us how ISPA prepared you for success in college and in life? ISPA has helped me in so many ways, both personally and professionally, I will always be obliged to this institution and the talented people who are part of it. This school has offered me a better understanding of myself. I fled France when I was 14 and I didn’t know the United States, I learned to be autonomous and independent during my high school years. Ispa encourages us to think outside the box by taking us to many national competitions and proposing many clubs we can join. This school is very well known and is a very rewarding experience in my studies, and I have met people who will hopefully always be part of my life and have built up an international address book. I have also learned a new language, English, as well as improved my French and Spanish thanks to the special language program offered by the school. What a human experience!
I paid for college with… University is free in France and my work experience paid for my Masters degree.
Fondest memory from High School? The French language and literature competitions where we invariably went every year with some students of the French program. Our experienced teacher, Mrs. Corinne Lhermitte, carefully prepared us for a month of debates and learning a play. We always had much fun preparing. We would occupy a whole day managing all the competitions we were registered for. We would have breakfast together, tired from the previous day but happy to have finally arrived and we always won the first prize.