Mickela Vucetich Telaya
Like many IEU alumni, Mickela is a third-culture kid and has lived in 4 continents. She graduated in 2019 after gaining comprehensive knowledge of the public sector with a focus on development policies during her internships in Madrid, La Habana, and New York. Born in Peru but raised in the Middle East, Mickela potentiated her international and fruitful experience at IE, with her professional background at the Peruvian Office of Commerce, UNICEF, and the United Nations to work at Global Risk Insights, as an Author in Chief, leading the Female Empowerment and Leadership Column. She aims to use her intellectual thirst for humanitarian law with a concentration on marginalized populations to work in the field post conflict, promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.
"Be the person you’ve always looked up to be and become the impulse for change."
Q&A WITH MICKELA
Could you tell us about the application process and your role at Global Risk Insights?
I’m currently leading the female leadership and empowerment column at Global Risk Insights, a world-leading publishing company providing political risk analysis. Creating a platform that showcases positive role models for future generations, I aim to inspire both men and women to become advocates, change-makers, and leaders in their communities. I look forward to using this opportunity to recognize women’s milestones and all those pushing the boundaries of what was once impossible. ‘She Said’ will amplify voices, expand influences, and positively shape perspectives. This is a chance to shed light on success stories of both local and regional community empowerment and lasting impact achievements on gender equality.
How did your experience at IEU prepare you for your professional career?
IEU forces you to get out of your comfort zone, as strength lies in differences. It serves as an inspiration to challenge any status quo laid out to reach beyond one’s aspirations. I learnt the importance of being committed and constantly look for ways to make a positive impact through my actions. The different projects and research studies I conducted allowed me to raise my voice in everything I value.
What is the competitive advantage that studying at IEU provides or has provided you?
Thanks to IEU’s warm and welcoming environment, I developed excellent interpersonal skills, cultural and social sensitivity, and the ability to work in an inclusive and collaborative manner. Its diversity forces you to adapt professionally in challenging environments, as you constantly work within multicultural teams with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Do you have any advice for IEU students and alumni who are looking to pursue a career in International Relations?
Take initiative in everything that inspires you and trust your own abilities. Be the person you’ve always looked up to be and become the impulse for change. Be able to accept views on global topics in completely different lights. Never turn down an opportunity; be that big or small. Take advantage of everything that comes your way, as these are the sorts of experiences, which will make you grow. And of course, never ever stop specializing yourself!
What skills do you consider are needed to succeed in your field?
Each change introduces countless challenges. Be ready to accept them with an inclusive and adaptable mindset. The earlier you integrate diversity, the further you will strive in understanding how you can improve our world. Be able to voice your thoughts with confidence and clarity, and never hesitate about the value you can add.
Tell us about the IEU alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career.
IE’s small but integrated community constantly triggers new ideas and opportunities for self-growth. You can always count on an IE alumni to believe in you and push you into trusting yourself with anything that comes your way. My friends are confident that I’ll be able to apply my skills to any project I am presented with. They sometimes get happier than me when something good happens to me!
Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IEU alumni community?
IE speaks home; a sense of belonging. It offers more than just insightful conversations and heated debates; it offers unique perspectives from personal standpoints. The IEU community will always be there for you to reach out, helping you overcome whatever obstacle you’re faced with. It is a place you know you can always go back to.
What skills would you recommend job seekers develop in order to make them more competitive in today’s workforce?
Be passionate for what you do, as there’s nothing that speaks louder than that. Being self-confident exudes an aura that can convince anyone that you know what you are doing. If you do not believe in yourself, you can’t expect anyone else to do it for you. Embrace challenges and have the ability to pull through whatever situation comes your way.
What’s the best career advice you have ever been given?
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. A degree is worthless if you do not have the right mindset to see opportunities in everything. Every opportunity comes with a new skill, a new perspective, and a new attitude. We tend to over think and therefore hesitate for too long. Just go for it!
If someone were considering going to IEU, what would you tell them?
IEU offers an unbeatable cultural exchange. It all comes down to diversity of thought; heated political debates, challenging religious discussions, and valuable cultural exchanges. With an open approach and dynamic teaching methods, you will constantly find yourself talking about things you didn’t think you would ever talk about in a classroom.
Why did you choose the BIR & MIR programs at IE University?
One of my goals in life is to have my own NGO based on emotional and social education. IE is the kind of university that takes your ideas and projects to the next level. During my studies, I gained a realistic perspective and an insightful upbringing of the non-governmental world. On top of that, IE allowed me to take on challenges that emerged in my professional life, where I was able to further develop my knowledge of NGOs.
What is one thing you wished you knew, when you were a student?
There are so many things happening all the time. IE University offers a countless amount of clubs, societies, labs, and initiatives you can be part of. Take advantage of everything that will help enrich your university experience and be ready to combine your studies with your passions.