Zach Keefe, ‘15, Project Specialist – Government Affairs, Cisco
My undergraduate years at Providence College were essential in jump-starting my career. As a double major in history and political science, I learned valuable lessons that continue to make me successful today. The History Department at Providence College is one of the most reputable on campus and, I would argue, on the eastern seaboard. For four years I studied what it meant to define yourself as a historian and the important lessons the past holds for our future. Class offerings are boundless and invigorating, and some of my favorites included Dr. Illuzzi’s “Modern German History,” Dr. Dowling’s “History of Africa since 1850,” and Dr. Grace’s World War II seminar. The engagement of the professors and students, with students numbering no more than 20 in each class, created an impactful and meaningful learning environment which emphasized analytical skills, exceptional writing abilities, and the drive to think critically.
As a senior, I was honored to have the opportunity to pursue my own honors thesis, under the direction of Dr. Manchester, leading to original research on the Portsmouth Peace Conference which ended the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). After graduating, I eventually found myself in Washington, D.C. I was employed at a lobbying firm that focused on national security space in a matter of weeks after moving to the city, something I attribute to my education at Providence College. Today, I work for Cisco Systems Government Affairs as an assistant to the Vice President of Government Affairs (Americas Region). Every day I rely upon the skills I learned from the History Department to help me support the Government Affairs team, which includes supporting the CEO of the largest networking company in the world. Furthermore, my time at Providence and the support from Dr. Illuzzi in the History Department helped my admission into Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service to pursue my master’s degree in cybersecurity policy at one of the best international relations schools in the world. I highly encourage any prospective student or current Providence College student choosing a major to consider majoring in history. The skills you learn go far beyond that of a historian; they lead to success in all places, including politics and corporate America.
