Victoria Sorhegui graduated from Duke in 2021. She majored in political science with a concentration in security, peace, and conflict, minored in history, and received the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics certificate. She is currently the Manager of Global Government Affairs at The Carlyle Group.
What was the extent of your involvement with the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy as a student?
I was involved with AGS beginning my freshman year at Duke. I became a member of the Council my sophomore year and was Co-Chair my junior and senior year.
What were your majors, minors and certificates at Duke University?
Major: Political Science (Concentration: Security, Peace, and Conflict)
Certificate: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Minor: History
What is your current job?
Manager, Global Government Affairs, The Carlyle Group
What are any of your jobs since graduating from Duke that you would like to highlight?
Legislative Correspondent & Military Legislative Aide, Office of Senator Pat Toomey
How has AGS helped you in your professional life since graduating?
AGS played an instrumental role when seeking my first job on the Hill following graduation. Having an existing AGS alumni network on the Hill enabled me to gain insight into how the Hill operates, who to talk to, how to stand out, and how to approach interviews. And once I was on the Hill, it was so rewarding to work closely with AGS alumni in other Senate offices. I continue to turn to AGS for both mentorship and professional advice.
What was the most memorable part of your AGS experience?
The most memorable part of my AGS experience was the AGS community – faculty, program directors, and students. While I still reflect on the countless impressive speakers brought to campus and immersive staff rides, I have such fond memories of the relationships built through AGS-related courses and programming. I have maintained strong professional and personal friendships with many of my fellow AGS council members, alumni, and faculty leadership. I am so incredibly grateful for the lasting community AGS has inspired.
What is something you wish you had known when you were an undergrad participating in AGS?
I wish I had known that it’s okay not to have your whole career mapped out. I put a lot of pressure on myself as a student to find the “perfect” first job, thinking it would define everything that came next. In reality, careers aren’t linear, and some of the best opportunities are the ones you don’t plan for.
What was your favorite AGS experience?
My favorite AGS experiences were trips to USSOUTHCOM and the Navy Seal Museum in Florida, and to the Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek, Virginia. These trips offered a unique (and humbling) opportunity to engage directly with members of our armed forces – sometimes through physical training exercises.
What advice would you give to AGS students interested in working in the policy world?
When you are exploring job opportunities, you want to make sure you align with two things: (1) the mission and (2) the people. We spend so much of our lives working, and it’s important to feel excited and aligned with the mission of our work. It’s also incredibly important to have great people and team dynamics surrounding you. It doesn’t mean every job needs to be your “dream” job, just that your role and colleagues are enough to keep you excited about the work.
Interview by Garrett Simons