Gabriela Rosazza '16
Major(s):
International Relations
Outcome Opportunity:
I got a job!
Position:
Campaigns Associate
Company/Organization:
International Labor Rights Forum
Gabriela Rosazza ’16 studied international relations and traveled to the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Guatemala and Cuba.
Today, she works for the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) in Washington, D.C., as a campaign organizer in support of Central American farmworkers. "I coordinate ILRF's work in Latin America, advocating for trade union rights on agricultural plantations exporting fruit to the U.S. market," says Gabriela. "I run international campaigns, file complaints with international financial institutions and educate civil society on how they can hold global brands accountable for violations in their global supply chain."
Social justice work and international education opportunities at Saint Joseph's
During her tenure at SJU, she worked as a Service Scholar, facilitating service-learning classes for the Faith Justice Institute; interned with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and with Profugo, an international development non-profit agency; studied abroad for one semester in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; participated in Campus Ministry immersion trips to protest the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia and to El Paso, Texas; led a Campus Ministry winter immersion trip to Guatemala; traveled to Cuba with the University to learn about Cuban civil society and freedom; and learned from trade unionists in the Dominican Republic at the Alta Gracia garment factory. "When applying for my full-time job, I stood out because of my student-led travels and my three years as a Service Scholar," says Gabriela.
Landing her position required about six months of networking.
Securing a full-time job can take months of hard work and countless coffee dates, according to Rosazza. "I messaged the Executive Director of ILRF, Judy Gearheart -- an alumna of Saint Joseph's -- LinkedIn and she agreed to meet with me," she recalls. "Gearheart then told me to apply to an open position at ILRF. I wouldn't have gotten connected with her if it wasn't for all the networking I did after graduation. You have a much higher chance to get a job if you know people at the organization you are applying for."