Marta Granados Hernández works on the floor of the United Nations. Photos provided by Hernández
When asked to name the common thread among her undergraduate internships and early career experiences, recent Fordham grad Marta Granados Hernández didn’t have a neat answer.
Each experience—from human rights work at Afghanistan’s permanent mission to the United Nations, to political risk consulting for a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, to sustainability training with the European Union—presented her with new responsibilities and new perspectives. For Hernández, who double majored in international studies and humanitarian studies, the work has been undeniably challenging—but never daunting.
“I never felt unprepared,” she said. “It’s been a really great journey. When I was a student at Fordham, I really didn’t think that it would take me to all these places.”
Leading With Curiosity
Hernández’s journey began in her native Spain, where her curiosity about the world around her led her to think deeply about questions that would shape her future. Specifically, she was interested in how circumstances, like where people grow up, could dramatically alter outcomes in the lives of otherwise similar people.
“I thought, ‘Why are opportunities that my life has afforded me—as a middle-class person born in Barcelona—different from those of someone else who was born in another country?’” she said.
She decided to major in international studies, and she chose Fordham after falling in love with its campus right in the heart of one of the world’s most international cities.
“You learn from your professor, but you also learn from the students and the conversation that you have with them,” she said. “I really met people from all over the world and from all walks of life. It keeps you thinking and learning every day.”
Combining Theory and Practice
It was in her classes that Hernández began to see how her curiosities could lead to a career path.
“I felt so free … even when it came to choosing the courses,” she said. “You could choose a course that you were really interested in, and then you would just make it work.”
Hernández’s exploration led her to declare a second major, in humanitarian studies, in her sophomore year, seeking to pair theory with more concrete experiences. Her first introductory course included a trip across town to the United Nations Headquarters and guest lectures from speakers actively working in the field.
“It was great to see these opportunities and where this major could take us in the future,” she said.
Learning on the Job
As part of her internship requirement through Fordham's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs, Hernández returned to the U.N. in her senior year to work with Afghanistan’s permanent mission. There, she gained her first major experience working on issues surrounding economic growth, social progress, and sustainable development. She even helped negotiate specific language to be put in official U.N. resolutions, which must be drafted and voted on quickly.
Hernández found that her Fordham professors prepared her well for that kind of work. Some classes required long-form papers built on pages of diverse sources. Others challenged her to make a persuasive argument in just 500 words.
“That really trained me to write a short and concise statement at the U.N., where we have to make a point in three minutes,” she said.
Gaining Critical Experience
Hernández continued working at the U.N. after graduating and soon went on to positions with the European Union delegation there and a think tank in Washington, D.C. Most recently—based on the strength of her technical experience advocating for specific language in resolutions—Hernández returned to New York City to work full time as a policy officer for Malta’s permanent mission to the United Nations.
“I graduated with very comprehensive and diverse knowledge, but also the skills and the ability to sort of complete different tasks,” she said. “I think that's why I've managed to do so many different things after I graduated.”