Pardee Works Event Recap: Careers in Intelligence, Defense, and Security
This article is written by Dean’s Ambassador Elise Choi (BA IR ’26).
On September 25, 2025, Pardee Career Services launched the first event of the Fall 2025 Pardee Works series, focusing on careers in intelligence, defense, and global security. The evening brought together a wide range of students, faculty, and professionals for an engaging exploration of pathways into both public service and the private sector.
The session featured two esteemed Professors of Practice: Joe Wippl, a former CIA agent, and Jack Weinstein, a retired Lieutenant General and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. Their insights offered students a firsthand look into the strategic and operational demands of national security, while also highlighting the importance of adaptability, leadership, and ethical decision-making.
The event also welcomed three distinguished Pardee alums, who returned to campus to share their professional journeys. Noah Riley, an analyst at the U.S. Department of State specializing in China’s global economic and defense activities, spoke about his transition from student to State Department Analyst and his experience as a Boren Fellow. Morgan Cassidy, currently an Asylum Officer at the Department of Homeland Security and a former Presidential Management Fellow, shared her trajectory in law, policy, and humanitarian service. Rounding out the panel was Matthew Nicholas, Senior Intelligence Analyst at the National Basketball Association, who drew on 15 years of international intelligence security experience to demonstrate the unique intersections between intelligence work and private sector opportunities.
The event was structured in an interactive roundtable format, where small groups of students rotated every 20 minutes among three tables, each led by two speakers. This intimate structure fostered candid conversation, enabling students to ask tailored questions and gain unique insights into various career paths. Following the rotations, participants gathered for an open networking session over refreshments, which fostered further discussion and connections.
A mix of undergraduate and graduate students attended the event, each leaving with actionable insights into navigating careers in national security and global affairs. From strategies for recruitment to the realities of day-to-day work in government and industry, the discussions highlighted both the challenges and opportunities awaiting the next generation of professionals.
The Pardee Works series, organized by Pardee Career Services, continues to connect students with leaders across diplomacy, security, consulting, development, and policy research. By bridging classroom learning with real-world expertise, these events equip students with the knowledge and networks to pursue impactful global careers.
Elise Choi is a senior at Boston University studying International Relations with a minor in Business Administration. Her academic interests focus on defense, intelligence, and national security, informed by past internships with USCENTCOM J2’s Arabian Peninsula, Levant & Egypt Office, as well as the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s Counterintelligence and Insider Threat Office. On campus, she serves as Digital Director for the International Relations Review and a member of Delta Phi Epsilon. As a Dean’s Ambassador, she hopes to strengthen student engagement with Pardee’s resources, foster mentorship opportunities, and highlight the value of public service. After graduation, Elise aspires to pursue a career at the intersection of intelligence and policy.