Welcome to the first feature in our Interdisciplinary Insights series, where IDS and GLIS alumni share how their MSU experience shaped their journeys beyond graduation. From career paths to real-world advice, each feature offers a glimpse into what you can do with an interdisciplinary degree.
Name: Grace Provenzano
MSU Degree: Global & International Studies (GLIS) with a concentration in International Development. Second major in Political Science with a minor in Economics.
Year Graduated: 2020
Other Degree(s): Master of Science in European & International Public Policy (specialization in European & International Political Economy), The London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
Why GLIS: I chose GLIS as my major because the IDS track in social sciences provided the most flexible and unique academic experience in terms of what I wanted to study in the realm of global studies. Having courses in many disciplines such as political science, economics, anthropology, and history—all centering around global studies but from different academic angles —truly gave me a ‘360’ experience that I feel couldn't have been replicated in a traditional single-disciplinary major track.
My interdisciplinary education at MSU gave me a mindset that meshed well with how I problem solve, both academically and personally. This carried out after my studies and even now in my workplace, as when considering any challenges, I first try to consider it from many different perspectives before proposing solutions.
I also think an IDS degree is quite attractive to workplaces/ further educational institutions, as it is ‘different’ than most other single-disciplinary methods of study in undergrad—we learned subjects from multiple perspectives when others didn't!
Current Role: I am the Lead Growth Operations Manager at Clinii in NYC, a healthcare technology startup focused on helping physician groups and managed care organizations capture chronic care reimbursements for the work they're already doing. In this role, I oversee CRM and revenue operations, GTM coordination across sales, marketing, and customer success, and the operational infrastructure that supports Clinii's growth.
Previous Experience: As a Recruitment Consultant for Annapurna Recruitment in London, I worked across Nordic and U.S. tech and transformation markets, combining business development with candidate consulting. I collaborated with startups and professionals worldwide, gaining insight into the rapidly evolving tech landscape while honing my communication and negotiation skills with both new and existing clients.
Words of Advice: Keep your mind open and explore career paths that you may not have previously considered. So much is learned once you start working professionally, and keeping your options open and trying out different fields of work is beneficial to do when you are young, as you can pick up even more skills.
Life is short, so explore and find what makes you happy and where you feel you are best using the amazing skills you learned throughout your life and from MSU!
