LIMELIGHT INTERVIEW WITH Jesse Malone Ferreira

In our recent LimeLight interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jesse Malone Ferreira, an Associate Director of Education Abroad at the Georgia Institute of Technology. With a strong passion for experiential learning and cross-cultural connection, Jesse brings a wealth of experience to her current role. Her journey into international education has been both unique and inspiring, marked by personal travel experiences, inspiring reflection and understanding, and the encouragement of peers. Jesse’s insights into the challenges and rewards of working in the field of education abroad, along with her dedication to fostering transformative student experiences, make her a standout leader. Read on to learn about her international education journey!

1. What is your current title, and where do you work?

Associate Director of Education Abroad at Georgia Institute of Technology. I oversee campus engagement strategy and operations, and provide support in the area of Education Abroad processes and procedures, as well as data and reporting.

2. How did you learn about your current position? (Ex. Networking, Promotion, External Job Posting)

I was in a different role within the GT Education Abroad team when my current position became vacant. I was eager to apply because I had been looking for a new challenge and wanted to grow. It was a great professional opportunity and a solid next step in my career trajectory.

3. What sparked your interest in working in international education?

While past experiences abroad, including my own study abroad experience, played a significant role in molding who I am as a person, I can’t say they were what initially sparked my interest in the field. In fact, I had never considered a career in IE or even realized the range of jobs within the field until I was getting close to finishing undergrad and figuring out my next steps. A former classmate of mine got a job in the field and encouraged me to explore my options in IE, and I’m so happy she did! She shined a light on the numerous opportunities that abound, and I found the field attractive because it aligned with my passion for experiential learning and cross-cultural connection.

4. What was your first job in international education?

I taught ESL in Madrid, Spain right after undergrad. Initially, I planned to go for 1 year and ended up staying 3 (what can I say? Spain is easy to love). While I enjoyed teaching English, it was not something I imagined doing long-term, yet I still wanted to remain in IE. By the end of that experience, I was ready to move on from teaching and pursue a position as a study abroad advisor in the US.

5. Tell us about your first international experience, either traveling or working abroad.

I was 14 when I first traveled abroad – and the first in my immediate family to do so. A close friend from childhood invited me to spend a month traveling around Kenya with her family. I am deeply grateful to my parents for being supportive, considering I was quite young, plus the fact they themselves had never traveled abroad and would not be joining in this trip. For me, it was an impactful experience during formative years, and I carry many sweet, vivid memories from that first journey. Aside from the excitement of experiencing a new place, I felt my worldview start to shift as my eyes were opened to how different life could look outside of the small southern town I called home.

6. What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I love that each day is unique, and I never find myself in a fight against monotony. Are there repetitive tasks? Of course, and that is nice at times, but I love that my role has a wide variety of responsibilities which spread my time and work across different functional areas. One day could be full of meetings with campus partners, and the next might involve work on a marketing campaign or updating a standard operating procedure, so there is never a dull moment.

7. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

What I love about my job is the variety of responsibilities and work across different areas, which can also be the most challenging aspect because I’m switching hats frequently and balancing multiple priorities and projects. I remind myself regularly how important it is to slow down, take a step back, and keep the big picture in mind.

8. What has working in international education taught you about yourself and your own culture?

Working in IE has pushed me to become a better listener and observer, and to thoughtfully examine my own assumptions and beliefs, which has been quite humbling at times. Because of this, I feel that I’ve grown to become a stronger and more empathetic leader and a better decision-maker and communicator.

9. Do you have a career mentor or someone that you consult with about career growth?

I’ve had a few throughout the course of my career, and I’m so grateful for the time they have invested in me. I can’t stress enough the importance of having an individual/s you respect and look up to offer their perspective and help push you towards growth and realizing your potential.

10. Describe a moment in your career that you consider your greatest achievement.

I don’t have one particular moment that comes to mind, but rather many moments throughout my career that serve to reinforce my belief in the important and meaningful work we do in IE. To me, there is nothing more rewarding than having a student return from a program eager to share how impactful and transformative their time abroad has been. Perhaps studying abroad was something they initially never considered or thought possible. For me to have played even a small role in their decision to go feels like an achievement, like I’ve contributed to making a difference in their life, which I find both fulfilling and motivating.

11. How has COVID-19 impacted your work life?

For a while, we were fully remote during Covid, which felt quite isolating for me. After some time, we transitioned to a hybrid schedule, which I find ideal. I can be on campus and see colleagues in person a few days a week, but I can also enjoy the benefits of working from home a couple days.

12. What type of things are you doing to balance your mental health?

Getting outside in nature is a must for me, and I love horseback riding, running, and hiking.

13. What is the best advice you can give to other global educators right now?

Be patient with yourself and where you are in your career. It is your unique journey, and there is no point in comparing yourself to others and comparing yourself to where they are in their journey. Don’t be shy in putting yourself out there and connecting with others in the field. IE is an incredibly collaborative, supportive community, and there are so many helpful resources and opportunities to learn and grow through making those connections. Also, regularly revisit your “why” and remind yourself why you chose to pursue a career in IE and what you love about it! I find this helpful in staying grounded and motivated.

The mission of the Global Leadership League is to ignite change across the global education field by empowering, connecting, and training leaders. We invite you to reach out to us here or learn more about becoming a member.