On October 26, 2020, the GW Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS) launched its new interview series which invites prominent GW alumni working in the policy field. The new series encourages alumni to share their experiences at GW and provide career advice to students. For the first event of the series, GWIKS invited Wendy Cutler (ESIA BA ’79), the Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), and a former U.S. trade negotiator.
Moderated by Yonho Kim, Associate Director of GWIKS, the talk began with Ms. Cutler sharing how she came to GW planning to study Political Science but switched to International Relations. During her undergraduate years at GW, Ms. Cutler studied the Soviet Union and later worked with the US and Russian scientists at the U.S. Department of Interior. Recognizing the limits of focusing mainly on the Soviet Union, she headed to Georgetown University to study Economics and Trade. After graduation, she went back to the government as the Presidential Management Fellow and stayed there for more than 30 years.
Throughout her career in international trade, Ms. Cutler noticed that it is mostly men who are on the other side of the negotiation table. Therefore, via a women’s empowerment program she provides advice and opportunities for women to work in the trade field.
Diving more deeper into her professional experience, students submitted questions on how to gain opportunities in the field and what to study while in school. Ms. Cutler underscored the importance of finding a specialty but also keeping an open mind and engaging in various areas of studies in order to broaden one’s perspective. She also advised the audience to develop patience and listening skills and, if possible, to take a negotiation class which will be helpful in minimizing trial and error at the negotiating table. Furthermore, she mentioned that students utilize their opportunity in DC and network as much as possible.
In addition, during the interview, Ms. Cutler shared her views on trade issues. Answering one of the submitted questions, Ms. Cutler talked about China’s significance in world politics and how this stimulates other countries to preserve more ties with China. Therefore, she asserted that the US takes a multi-faceted approach by working with other allies. Moreover, she mentioned how the current US administration has changed the dynamics in international trade and that the US needs to rebuild trust and prove their commitment within the international community.
Lastly, the event ended with Ms. Cutler sharing her hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic ends soon and international travel restarts again.
