Alumni Profiles
Ethan Devine
MPIA '11
Ethan is currently the Asia Desk manager at World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), serving as a primary point of contact for information resources, research services, and educational/networking events for Asia. Ethan educates, identifies, and introduces companies, organizations, and other business, institutional, and individual contacts to the advantages of exporting and importing products and services to and from Asia. He also develops and coordinates WTCSD programs that focus on increasing trade and commerce with Asia.
Living in Shanghai before coming to IR/PS, Ethan received a message from the New Orleans Mayor's Office asking if he would be willing to help a group of local politicians and businessmen on their "Rebuild New Orleans" junket to China. Jumping at the chance, he found himself translating for Shanghai's vice-mayor and the director of New Orleans' Mayor's Office of Economic Development, facilitating conversations between Chinese suppliers and Louisiana buyers, helping field questions from the foreign press, and sitting in on negotiations between New Orleans councilmen and one of China's largest cement manufacturers. The blitzkrieg of meetings, summits, and banquets was a thrilling crash course in international relations.
During his time in China, Ethan also participated in a number of community service activities, including volunteering at an elementary school for children with disabilities in Nanjing and helping coach a soccer clinic for children of migrant workers in Shanghai. These experiences showed him how differences in nationality, language, and ethnicity can be shared to come up with unique solutions to real-world problems, helping better the lives of everyone involved.
Ethan graduated from IR/PS in 2011 with a career focus in international politics and a China regional focus. Ethan was an IR/PS Sylff Fellow.
Living in Shanghai before coming to IR/PS, Ethan received a message from the New Orleans Mayor's Office asking if he would be willing to help a group of local politicians and businessmen on their "Rebuild New Orleans" junket to China. Jumping at the chance, he found himself translating for Shanghai's vice-mayor and the director of New Orleans' Mayor's Office of Economic Development, facilitating conversations between Chinese suppliers and Louisiana buyers, helping field questions from the foreign press, and sitting in on negotiations between New Orleans councilmen and one of China's largest cement manufacturers. The blitzkrieg of meetings, summits, and banquets was a thrilling crash course in international relations.
During his time in China, Ethan also participated in a number of community service activities, including volunteering at an elementary school for children with disabilities in Nanjing and helping coach a soccer clinic for children of migrant workers in Shanghai. These experiences showed him how differences in nationality, language, and ethnicity can be shared to come up with unique solutions to real-world problems, helping better the lives of everyone involved.
Ethan graduated from IR/PS in 2011 with a career focus in international politics and a China regional focus. Ethan was an IR/PS Sylff Fellow.
