Drew Harker *81, SPIA

After graduating from SPIA in 1981, I served on the professional staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I handled foreign policy and international security issues for the Committee from 1981 to 1986. One of my mentors from three summer internships at the State Department opened the door for me with the Committee. After leaving the Committee, I practiced law with Arnold & Porter, a Washington, DC based law firm. My practice focused on government contracts, international law, and Congressional affairs. I retired in 2018 and have continued my interest in public interest law, including representing a client currently detained in Guantanamo and successfully challenging several restrictions imposed by the Trump Administration on access by low income citizens to family planning services. I have also established mentorship programs at UC San Diego and Princeton.

"I was fortunate to have several mentors who contributed significantly to my professional development. Both in the Senate and in private law practice, and I have enjoyed working with GradFUTURES to establish a mentorship program matching interested graduate students and graduate school alumni who want to give back to Princeton. We have grown the program from 10 graduate student-graduate alumni matches last year to over a hundred matches this year. The program has been very successful despite the challenges created by the pandemic. We are very fortunate to have a deep pool of talented and devoted graduate alumni who want to assist current graduate students.

My advice to graduate students? Be proactive. Your professional development is too important to leave to someone else. You would be surprised how helpful people will be if you ask them for help and guidance."

I have participated in the following GradFUTURES Programs: GradFUTURES Mentorship Program

Yes, I am open to being contacted by a Princeton Graduate Student for an informational interview! 

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