1. What do you do?
I work as a consultant for Deloitte Germany’s Global Employer Services team! Our department is within the Tax & Legal section of Deloitte Germany, and we help clients meet their tax obligations as they move employees around the world. If an employee is going to be moving countries or doing business trips, we make the tax processes as simple and streamlined as possible between all the relevant tax authorities.
2. What’s the coolest part of your job?
One of the best things about my job is getting to work with one of my friends from Georgia Tech! Fellow Ivan Allen College graduate Lindsey Alexander and I became friends through our shared German courses across our time in the School of Modern Languages. Living abroad, you will inevitably get homesick, but having a good friend in the office who understands where you come from and reminds you of home really helps to ground you when things get tough. Together, we get to tackle really difficult cases from all over the world and still keep a little part of ATL with us.
3. Why are you passionate about it?
I’m passionate about this job because I understand what our clients go through, and I know how impactful being abroad can be. After graduation, I had my sights set on living in Europe — something that I had been dreaming about since high school. In the end, I moved to Vienna, Austria, through the Fulbright USTA program, but living internationally brought challenges I had never faced before. With the support of the program, they smoothedout the tax and immigration processes for us and really lifted that weight off of our shoulders. In this job, I’m able to support people experiencing so many different parts of the world — just as I was able to when I began my post-grad life. I’ve always wanted to do things to help people, and in this job, I’m happy I can give back the help I received.
4. Which skills from your IAC degree have helped you be successful in this career?
There are a multitude of skills from my Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies program that I can say have really helped me succeed and thrive in my post-grad career. Of course, there are the fundamental German language skills that have helped me connect with so many of the people I’ve met. The German faculty gave me the critical thinking skills and knowledge base to discuss the real-life issues that society is facing. However, of all the skills my degree has given me, the ability to communicate interculturally is the most important. In my line of work, I get the opportunity to connect with individuals from all around the world–and with that, I’m able to collaborate and learn from so many unique cultures. Breaking down different definitions of culture, recognizing and addressing friction points, and finding the common ground in all of it have aided in how I’ve been able to blossom while abroad.
5. What’s your #1 tip for students and alumni interested in your field?
Always stay curious about life and don’t be afraid to try a career that “isn’t in your wheelhouse.” As well, I’d say you’d definitely need some good organizational skills and the ability to navigate different working cultures. For current students especially, I’d say to make time and build connections with people in your program and around you.
Meet more featured alumni in the School of Modern Languages!
