Ben Greenho, now a Senior Policy Analyst in Immigration policy at Center for American Progress, initially began his education with the intention to major in linguistics or Spanish.
The ability to understand complex ideas and explain them clearly to others allows me to help my organization develop policies that can have concrete positive impacts on people's lives.
What initially attracted you to study history?
I always enjoyed reading history as a hobby, but I intended to major in linguistics or Spanish at WashU. However, after taking a class on the history of U.S. foreign relations in the second semester of my freshman year, I quickly developed an interest in studying history on a deeper, academic level, so I switched my major.
How did your interests in history evolve during your time at WashU?
After taking a class on the history of U.S. foreign relations and changing my major, I branched out beyond the U.S. and took classes on Europe and Latin America. These classes complemented my study of foreign languages and helped prepare me for my first job after graduation working for the State Department.
Where did your education/career take you after graduation?
After graduation, I became a consular officer with the State Department, where I evaluated immigration petitions and interviewed visa applicants for admission to the U.S. I used this work experience to transition into my current work at a think tank, where I conduct public policy analysis with a focus on immigration.
How has your background in history informed you of the way you approach your current work/studies?
Majoring in history at WashU taught me how to think critically and communicate persuasively, which is essential to my work in public policy analysis. The ability to understand complex ideas and explain them clearly to others allows me to help my organization develop policies that can have concrete positive impacts on people's lives.
What advice would you share with current students as they think about their career after graduation?
Stay open to opportunities you did not anticipate and be willing to take them when they arise. The critical thinking and communication skills you gained by studying history will help you adapt to these unexpected opportunities, and that adaptability will make you stand out to employers and colleagues alike.
In 2017, Ben Greenho was interviewed by WashU's Career Center.
Please click on the links below to view two interviews with Ben Greenho.
https://www.facebook.com/wustlcareers/videos/1982871841739964/
https://www.facebook.com/wustlcareers/videos/1987118161315332/
LEARN MORE
Learn more about what you can do with a degree in history: What can you do with that history degree? Exploring the data
Learn more about studying history and why history matters from the American Historical Society.
