Alex Babaris

95 Pages·2011·2.77 MB·English

Alex Babaris
416-888-5987
[email protected]

Education

Master of Arts: Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies Sep 2005-Nov 2007
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON

Bachelor of Arts with Honours, History Sep 2000-May 2004
Trent University, Peterborough, ON

Risk Management Certificate Jan 2012-Aug 2012
University of Toronto (recognized by the Risk Management Society) (expected graduation)

Russian Language Immersion Programs
St. Petersburg State University June 2009-Aug 2009
Novosibirsk State University June 2006-Aug 2006
Moscow State University June 2005-Aug 2005

Skills and Abilities

Research/Analysis Skills
• Successfully wrote and defended my MA thesis.
• Identified potential clients for both conferences and advertising.
• Researched growth opportunities for several businesses.

Problem-Solving Skills
• Planned and executed all travel arrangements through Central Asia (including visas,
money arrangements, hospitalization, and local, national and international transportation).
• Identified potential revenue streams for a career counselling/job readiness website.

Communication Skills
• Speaks Russian fluently.
• Offers sharp, pointed, constructive comments when discussing problems.
• Computer savvy, knows Microsoft Office and learns new programs quickly.
• Coached children/young adults.

Organizational Skills
• Manages multiple tasks effectively.
• Created and maintained databases for several conferences.
• Coordinated the daily schedule of CEO of GDC Media.

Leadership Skills
• Served as the captain of the Trent University Swim Team for four years.
• Coordinated and led an advertising project at the Toronto International Film Festival,
which involved 10 different people under my supervision.
• Coached children and young adults for 3 years and led my swimmers to success up to and
including the national level.
Work History

Account/Media/Event Manager GDC Media (Toronto) Jan 2011–current

GDC Media is a boutique publishing company that specializes in high end magazines and events.
Accomplishments include;
• Led the Volvo Drive program to its successful implementation and completion
• Sold advertising and media projects to clients

Volunteer Intern Canadian, Eurasian, Jan 2011-current
Russian Business Association (CERBA) (Toronto)

CERBA is an international business networking association dedicated to building ties and
business relations between Canada, Russia and other countries of the former USSR.
Accomplishments include;
• Developed an internship program for the Toronto chapter of CERBA
• Personally recommended by the head of the Toronto chapter of CERBA

English Teacher Lingua.Ru (Moscow, Russia) Sep 2008-June 2010

Lingua.Ru is a respected school located in Moscow that caters to professionals and business
leaders. Accomplishments include;
• Created, promoted and led information sessions to recruit new students

Age-Group Swim Coach GO Kingfish (Ottawa) Sep 2006-Aug 2008

GO Kingfish is a swim club that swims out of the University of Ottawa that had approximately
120 swimmers. Accomplishments include;
• Coached several athletes to provincial levels, managed different groups effectively
• Created and implemented a very successful video imagery program

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Former national level swimmer. Olympic Trials finalist and two-time participant.
• Volunteers extensively. Examples include the Canadian Institute of International Affairs,
Canadian Eurasian Russian Business Association, Geoff Dubrow Governance Consulting
and the human rights organization Memorial.
• Enjoys sports, traveling, reading, playing guitar. Passionate about human rights and anti-
corruption work. Toured the former Soviet Union extensively.

Languages

English – native speaker
Russian – high level of proficiency (2nd Certificate of Russian as a Foreign Language)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for the STRATFOR Research Internship Position as posted on your website.
My knowledge of STRATFOR and its corporate culture lead me to believe that I would be a very good fit
within your company. The Research Internship Program will be an ideal way to start a career in
intelligence and, more specifically, at STRATFOR.
Helping people obtain the correct information to make informed decisions is a very appealing
career to me. My attraction to intelligence is two-fold; first, I have a love of international relations and
politics and second, I am constantly seeking new challenges. Living in Russia for two years allowed me
to view and challenge my conceptions of Russia and the CIS from an entirely different angle. Living
there forced me to ask myself why people and politics existed in the forms that they were practiced
there. As an energetic individual, I would not be satisfied working in one static industry for my whole
life; intelligence allows for constantly changing projects and a never ending line of individuals with
specific needs. Our world has gone through massive changes in the last year and working to understand
our rapidly shifting situation and the challenges presented by this would be an ideal career for me.
The current trends and sources of global security are of great interest to me. My main area of
expertise, the CIS countries, provides a lot of insight into nearly all the major security issues facing the
world today; drug smuggling, rampant corruption and revolution in Central Asia, jihadist terrorism,
breakaway states and ethnic conflict in Caucasus, and organized crime, human trafficking and energy
issues in the Slavic states. In addition to studying these issues, I took the time to independently visit all
of these areas to gain a better personal understanding of the actual ‘on-the-ground’ challenges present
in these regions. I visited Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia,
Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia and the conflict zones of Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh and Osh.
Speaking Russian proficiently, I obtained a unique viewpoint that has supplemented my understanding
of the difficulties that are present in the former Soviet Union. As a result, I have a strong understanding
of very significant security issues that governments, NGOs and consultancy groups face.
My academic background has very effectively prepared me for an internship with
STRATFOR. I received my MA in Central/East European and Russian Studies from Carleton University
with an emphasis in history. In this program, our professors emphasized critical thinking as well as
independent research. Not only did I receive good grades, but I also became very comfortable writing
and presenting papers and ideas to groups of my peers and professors. In addition to term papers, our
tasks often included writing reports with quick turnarounds and giving succinct, accurate updates on
current events in class. This training has both drawn me closer to the CIS countries and inspired a desire
to constantly research and learn more about the region specifically and in global affairs generally. I have
also been attending lectures put on by universities in both Toronto and Ottawa to ensure that my
knowledge stays current.
My personal history suggests that I am ideal for the Research Internship Position. As a former
national level athlete, I exemplify many of the qualities that you desire in your employees; an obsession
with quality, self-improvement, time management skills and maximum efficiency. The passion and
dedication that I demonstrated for 7 years is exactly what STRATFOR would like within its organization.
While training, I learned the importance of working as a team to achieve our goals collectively. My
history as a coach has honed my ability to focus on the most important topic that needs to be
addressed; ideally, we would follow the plans we had created but often we had to quickly modify our
targets to account for more immediate needs. Additionally, working as a sales representative has forced
me to approach problems from a business perspective, always asking what the client, or manager,
would like from me. Finally, my decision to move to Moscow for two years shows that I both eagerly
seize opportunities when they are presented to me and also can adapt to new and challenging
situations. I view relocation as an opportunity to explore a new part of the world and a challenge to
adapt to exciting new surroundings. While in Moscow, I not only took advantage of the opportunity to
learn Russian, but also to volunteer with human-rights NGOs and to extensively tour the former Soviet
Union. Although I had always had a strong interest in politics and international relations, living abroad
gave me a unique opportunity to expand my knowledge on these topics as they both are viewed in a
very different light in Russia by both the press and the average citizen.
I believe it is this combination of life-experience, education and passion that will make me an
ideal intern and potential employee with STRATFOR. I am available at anytime to start and enthusiastic
about the 40-hour a week opportunity advertised on your site.
Sincerely,
Alex Babaris
Alex Pugh
2316 Westrock Dr.
Austin, TX 78704
[email protected]
512.905.6990
 Texas State University at San Marcos – Graduating December 2011
Education
o Major: Political Science

o Minor: Economics
o GPA: 4.0 at Texas State, Overall: 3.6
 Austin Community College
 Texas State Technical College
Honors & Awards  James H. McCrocklin Memorial Political Science Scholarship recipient
 Dean’s List – Texas State
 President’s Honor Roll – Austin Community College
 Scholastic Excellence – Austin Community College
Relevant  Intern - Draft Lee Leffingwell for Mayor campaign 2008
Experience o Phonebanking, contacting potential campaign donors
 Intern - Bill Spelman for city council campaign
o Phonebanking, general office duties
 Intern - Senator Kirk Watson Fellowship 2008
o Travis County Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign
o Phone banking
o Block walking
o Organizing volunteers
o Data entry
o General office duties
Co-Curricular  ACC Student Government Association (SGA) Senator for the South 2008 to 2009
Activities Austin Campus
o Represents the campus constituency to the administration on
issues important to students such as parking, class availability,
and free speech rights on campus
o Works in conjunction with Student Life to create engaging

and fun campus events for students

o Engages directly with other students to encourage

participation in student governance

o Moderated a town-hall-style meeting between the ACC Board

of Trustees and students

 Chair of SGA Fundraising Committee

o SGA raised a total of $5500 by selling ad-space in ACC’s
student magazine to local businesses
o Established a set of procedures for tracking sales and
completing transactions
o Trained students on how to identify ideal businesses and
approach them
 Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Skills  Excels in clear and concise written communication
 Very adept and comfortable working with computers
o Microsoft Office Suite
o IBM SPSS Statistics software
o Experienced with both Windows and Mac operating systems
Alex Pugh
512.905.6990
[email protected]

STRATFOR’s success lies in its ability to objectively and accurately interpret complex global events.
Whereas so many people and organizations today view the world from the comfort of their ideological bubbles,
STRATFOR seeks true understanding of the nuances of global events. It is for this reason that I’m so interested in
pursuing a career with STRATFOR. I hold a deep-seated curiosity for understanding why and how the events that
shape nations occur. It is my hope that working at STRATFOR will allow me to satisfy that curiosity while also
contributing to the creation of a quality product I can take pride in.
As an intern, STRATFOR will benefit from my passion and dedication, which I believe is reflected in my
academic career. My curiosity for understanding political events led me to pursue a degree in Political Science with a
minor in Economics. Because politics and economics are so intertwined, being equipped with tools from both
disciplines is immensely helpful when it comes to the critical analysis of geopolitics. I have not shied away from
taking many writing-intensive courses. My professors have praised my ability to write clear, concise, and well-
organized papers. A rigorous course load that emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization has benefitted
me greatly and I look forward to transferring the skills I have learned to STRATFOR.
My preferred area of interest lies in the Middle East; taking courses in Arabic and Islam has furthered my
understanding of the region and I am always eager to learn more. The Arab Spring has been especially fascinating to
watch for anyone interested in geopolitics. It has reignited the debate over the viability of democracy in the region
and the democratization process. There are strong pro-democracy movements in unexpected places such as Libya,
Syria, and Egypt; there are also strong tribal loyalties, radical Islamist movements, and powerful figures who wish to
maintain the status quo. Popular political theories such as Francis Fukuyama’s “end of history” and the dominance
of Western liberal democracy or Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” are being played out before our eyes.
Whichever direction the region goes, now is an excellent time to be working at STRATFOR. I look forward to
being able to commit 40 hours per week for the full length of the internship from January to May. Thank you for
your consideration.
Amy L. vanGoethem

6621 Aden Ln., Austin, TX 78739 [email protected] [phone]

EDUCATION: DEPAUL UNIVERSITY; Chicago, IL Sep 2007 - Present
Currently pursuing BA in Political Science, expected graduation Autumn 2011
• Major: Political Science
• GPA: 3.98/ 4.00 cumulative
Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi, Dean’s list all quarters
•

UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN; Leuven, Belgium Sep 2010-Dec 2010
Completed a comprehensive study abroad program examining the European Union
• GPA: 4.0 / 4.0 cumulative

SELECTED Political Science:
COURSE- • Humanitarian Aid and Politics (4.0) Analyzed the political context of complex
WORK: humanitarian emergencies and the principles of humanitarianism
• The European Union (4.0) Analyzed the effectiveness and legitimacy of the
European Union in a variety of policy areas including changes made in the
Lisbon Treaty.
• Chinese Politics (4.0) Studied the domestic political system of China including
the process of democratization in China.
• Western European Politics (4.0) Studied the domestic political systems of
Sweden, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
• American Foreign Policy (4.0) Examined current debates in American foreign
policy including humanitarian intervention and counterinsurgency strategies

EXPERIENCE: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT; Brussels, Belgium Sep 2010- Dec 2010
Intern for Louis Grech, Member of the European Parliament, Malta
• Wrote policy briefs for Mr. Grech on the EU's Single Market, immigration issues,
and other evolving issues
• Conducted research on areas of interest to Mr. Grech and the Parliament
including: Water Policy, Parental Leave Policy, Single Market Policy, etc.
• Prepared press releases, speeches and position papers
• Attended and took minutes for committee and group meetings

INDEPENDENT CHILD CARE; 2000-2005
Provided child-care with the goal to be more than just “the babysitter”
• Tutored and cared for six children across three families, including intensive
homework, activities support, meals, and light housework.

LANGUAGES: English (native)
 Read an estimated 3,000 English language books since age 6 1993 - Present

French (upper-intermediate) 2000 - 2005
 Pursued French language studies since age 13
 Independently read Le Petit Prince & Le Comte de Monte-Cristo

Arabic (beginner-intermediate) 2009 - Present
 Studied Arabic at DePaul University
 Currently pursuing independent language development
 Proficient in basic reading, writing and conversation
Statement of Interest
Amy vanGoethem
1 December 2011

I am writing to express my interest in the Research Internship Program at STRATFOR in
Austin, Texas for the spring of 2012. I am a recent graduate of DePaul University where I completed
my studies in Political Science in November of this year. I am passionate about global affairs and have
experience helping organizations such as yours meet their goals through excellence in policy analysis,
prepared communications and in-depth research. I believe there could be a strong fit between my
skills and the needs of STRATFOR.
My academic background has provided me with a solid understanding of the theories of
international relations and research methodology. I am keenly interested in both international and
domestic affairs. My internship experience has focused on European affairs to date. I am a
knowledgeable researcher and a great writer and as an intern with the European Parliament I
researched topics ranging from the completion of the European Single Market to tourism policy and
prepared thorough, concise and persuasive reports for MEP Louis Grech of Malta. I was responsible
for a range of activities including policy research and speech writing. While abroad I studied European
affairs at the University of Leuven in Leuven, Belgium providing me with a comprehensive
understanding of the inner workings of the European Union. While studying the European Union, I
gained the ability to analyze complex issues and synthesize a succinct and thorough report. This
experience has energized me to continue my focus on the intersection of global and local affairs. I am
well versed in the use of technology in conducting research including experience working with
databases and the Microsoft Office suite. STRATFOR is somewhere I believe could both benefit from
my skills and abilities and help me continue to develop as a professional.
I am available to work full time starting 2 January 2012. I very much look forward to working
with you this spring. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Ben
 Abraham

2
 Pleasant
 Place,
 Dunedin,
 9010
 New
 Zealand
 [phone]

[email protected]

EDUCATION

University
 of
 Otago
 Class
 of
 2013

Bachelor
 of
 Arts
 with
 Honors
 in
 Politics,
 Minor
 in
 Spanish
 Language

• GPA:
 3.64/4.00

• Honors/Awards:
 University
 of
 Otago
 Leaders
 of
 Tomorrow
 Scholarship

recipient
 2010

• Course
 Highlights:
 International
 Relations
 Theory,
 Politics
 of
 the
 Middle

East,
 US
 and
 Chinese
 Foreign
 Policy,
 Spanish
 language

• Exchange:
 Reciprocal
 exchange
 student
 at
 the
 University
 of
 Texas,
 Austin,

Spring
 2012

WORK
 EXPERIENCE

Number
 Works

Tutor
 2009-­Present

• Designing
 and
 implementing
 individualized
 maths
 lesson
 and
 study
 plans

on
 the
 Number
 Works
 computer
 system.

• Monitoring
 and
 evaluating
 student
 progress
 and
 achievement

YHA
 Hostel
 Dunedin

Hostel
 Assistant
 Nov
 2010-­
 Feb
 2011
 Fixed
 term
 contract

• Attending
 to
 guests
 from
 backgrounds
 and
 cultures
 from
 all
 around
 the

world

• Organizing
 and
 operating
 hostel
 computer
 system
 and
 database

• Checking
 guests
 in
 and
 out,
 advising
 on
 travel,
 accommodation
 and

activity
 plans
 locally
 and
 nationally.

LEADERSHIP
 EXPERIENCE

P3
 Foundation

Development
 Team
 Deputy
 Lead
 2011
 –
 present

• Assisting
 in
 the
 creation
 of
 P3
 Development
 Program
 to
 engage
 young

New
 Zealanders
 in
 effective
 action
 to
 eradicate
 poverty
 in
 the
 Asia-­‐Pacific

and
 strategic
 planning
 for
 the
 program’s
 future

• Creating
 recruitment
 documents
 to
 advertise
 P3
 and
 the
 Development

Team
 to
 passionate
 young
 New
 Zealanders
 and
 helping
 drive
 the

recruitment
 process
 through
 social
 media

• Communicating
 with
 P3
 Foundation’s
 partner
 organization
 on
 the
 ground

in
 Kalimpong,
 India
 to
 ensure
 a
 strong
 relationship
 and
 that
 P3
 is

supporting
 their
 work
 as
 effectively
 as
 possible
Humanitarian
 Affairs
 University
 Scholars
 Leadership
 Symposium
 2011

Delegate
 –
 Pattaya,
 Thailand

• Discussing
 and
 problematizing
 international
 humanitarian
 issues
 around

with
 300
 other
 delegates
 from
 35
 countries

• Shared
 ideas
 and
 inspirations
 relating
 to
 youth
 engagement
 and

leadership
 in
 humanitarian
 affairs

AIESEC
 Otago

Projects
 Coordinator
 2011

• Liaising
 and
 developing
 partnerships
 with
 community
 organizations
 in

the
 Dunedin
 area
 for
 potential
 collaboration
 with
 AIESEC

Activate
 Team
 member
 2011

• Designing
 and
 implementing
 a
 workshop
 for
 a
 local
 primary
 school

providing
 education
 about
 child
 poverty
 worldwide
 and
 installing
 a
 sense

of
 appreciation
 for
 our
 lives
 in
 New
 Zealand

University
 of
 Otago
 Student
 Leadership
 Program

Peer
 Mentor
 2011

• Academic
 and
 university
 adjustment
 mentoring
 for
 first
 year
 students

• Completed
 student
 leader
 training
 program
 2011

English
 Language
 Partners

Home
 ESOL
 Tutor
 2011

• Home
 English
 tutoring
 for
 adult
 refugees
 and
 immigrants

• Providing
 settlement
 and
 integration
 support
 for
 learners

• Completing
 5
 week
 tutoring
 and
 cultural
 awareness
 training