Sebastian Borda graduated from Duke in 2020 with a major in public policy. He is the Policy Director of Polaris National Security.
How has AGS helped you in your professional life since graduating?
One way it’s really helped me has been on the Hill. It so happened that I worked across the hall from another AGS alum who worked for a fellow Senator! I got to see her every day and work together on resolutions and bills, and consult each other on what our bosses were doing. It was really cool to get to work alongside another AGS person in the real world. Apart from that, I would say continued mentorship from professors has been really helpful, both as I explored grad school and different career pivots.
What was the most memorable part of your AGS experience?
There were so many memorable parts to AGS! Some of the ones that stick out were writing my senior thesis with the guidance of Dr. Simon Miles; he spent a lot of hours with me working on that project, which was super helpful. And some of the dinners with guest speakers too. I definitely remember the ones with Ambassador Bolton and General Dunford and asking them questions outside of events. And then the Gettysburg staff ride. Just getting to walk through some of those battlefields was really powerful, and getting to explore history with other Duke students was a really memorable part of the experience.
What is something you wish you had known when you were an undergrad participating in AGS?
I think I wish I knew how much uncertainty comes in the national security world and that I was prepared for that. It took me a long time to realize that crisis is opportunity and not to necessarily strive for work-life balance across every day, but to strive for it over the course of seasons. I also wish I knew just that things would turn out alright. I think that it’s easy to get on the academic and professional treadmill, and to worry. The truth is, it all works out. I wish I had applied less pressure on myself during my time at Duke to make opportunities happen.
What was your favorite AGS experience?
I think I would have to point to some of the dinners with guest speakers as my favorite experiences. Just getting to speak with them in a more intimate setting.
Interview by Robert Miron