Guido (Martin) Roa Gimenez, MA’24 (CIR)

Though only recently having graduated from CIR, Guido (Martin) Roa Gimenez is already off to an impressive start to his career. Since graduating in June 2024, Martin completed an internship in Washington D.C. and began a teaching position in political science at Lake Forest College. He credits CIR with providing the foundational support necessary to achieve so much so quickly.

Initially applying to PhD programs, Gimenez faced challenges in securing admissions offers to programs that excited him. Although he was not accepted into the PhD program at UChicago, he found a unique opportunity in the CIR program, which he described as having a "strong, structured approach" with abundant resources. 

The deciding factor to enroll was his experience at Admitted Students Day. “I listened to the professors, the career advancement staff, and heard them describe the resources and how they focus on students and their research. They help students develop a robust research experience, which I knew I needed,” says Gimenez. 

His CIR experience not only filled in the gaps in his education, but equipped him with essential skills for post-graduation. “UChicago provided the specific quantitative and qualitative courses I needed to take to apply to more competitive PhD programs in the next cycle. I knew UChicago and the CIR coursework would close that gap for me while allowing me to draw upon the program’s resources.”

Key among those resources was the Career Services office. 

As he applied for professional positions, Gimenez found he was struggling to get interviews. He sought assistance from Career Services, where staff helped him refine his resume to highlight his research experience and relevant skills. Armed with his improved resume, Gimenez applied to a student ambassador role within admissions as well as to the Institute of Politics at UChicago for a few internships, eventually securing the internship at the Illinois Policy Institute. 

“I couldn’t have gotten any of these experiences without the help of Career Services. Lauren and Shelly have so much experience in helping students present their best selves on paper,” he says.

Through the internships, Gimenez gained key research experience and additional skills in writing, such as blog posts, press releases, and memos - opportunities that helped him build a portfolio that he believes will improve his future PhD applications.

As he prepared to apply for his current teaching role, guidance from Career Services again became crucial. He talked extensively with Lauren Sheeley in Career Services, who provided strategic advice on how to effectively communicate his experiences and present himself as a strong candidate for Lake Forest College, ultimately helping him land the role.
      
Now teaching, Gimenez views this experience as a critical juncture in his career. He hopes to determine if teaching is his true calling, which will guide his decision on whether to pursue a PhD. If he finds fulfillment in teaching, he plans to continue his academic journey; if not, he is open to transitioning into research, particularly focusing on migration, security, and policy, with aspirations of conducting fieldwork at the U.S.-Mexico border. No matter which route he takes, he is thankful for the transformative experience CIR provided him, providing him the skills, resources, and confidence to navigate his career.