My supervisor at the USEAC(United States Export Assistance Center) is the amazing Ms. Anna. Anna is a Senior International Trade Specialist with U.S. Commercial Service. She received her B.S. in Economics from the University of Arizona. Before joining the US Department of Commerce she worked for the US State Departments Economic Bureau in Washington D.C. where she helped negotiated free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and South Korea. She is a very talented musician and artist, speaks both french and Spanish, and has traveled the world extensively.
Needless to say, she's quite impressive!
I had the pleasure to sit with Anna and chat about her position, her thoughts on leadership, and any advice she has for someone looking to break into her line of work.
Anna's main responsibilities are to act as a liaison for local businesses that are looking to export their goods and services. She provides them with all the information one may need on how they legally can export from the United States. Not only are the companies responsible of the US end, but they have to make sure everything is legal with the country they are exporting to as well. As Anna says, the USEAC are the 'boots on the ground', the 'first responders' to promote trade.
Anna and her colleagues set up trade missions all over the world. The purpose of the missions are to provide US companies with an opportunity to visit a foreign country, meet local officials, embassy and consulate staff, and make connections with local business owners abroad. The missions are a great way for US companies to find distributors of their products and services. Currently she is working on a trade mission to Mexico.
Anna has been working with the US Department of Commerce for twelve years now. She told me that she loves her job. It provides a great sense of satisfaction because she gets to have a hand in helping increase trade for the United States, provide jobs, and boost the economy. Since she helps local companies mostly, it is also grab to not only be introduced to who and what is in the area, but see them grow and succeed.
I asked her about how does one keep up with all the new laws and agreements countries have when it comes to trade, she said that it can be quite daunting, but that is why it is so important to always be informed about the world at large and to have great interns that can help assist her! :)
I asked her to define leadership/a leader and how she applies it to her life. She defined it leadership as being able to see what needs to be done and doing it. A good leader is a person who sees the problem before it occurs. A good leader is someone who is there to assist those they lead, they do not force or micro-manage. The provide guidance, support, and encouragement. A leader is a person who recognizes when it is time to do what is right versus what is easy.
I really like that. Doing what is right versus what is easy. I think people are so accustomed to taking the easy path over the difficult, even if the easy path is the wrong path.
When asked what one should do to enter her line of work, she said one the best things a person can do is travel! See how people live in other countries. Learn their customs and how things work. Having that knowledge is so powerful and helpful, especially when doing business globally.
I think her career and position is extremely fascinating and absolutely one I would love to have. Like her, getting to increase trade for the country and creating jobs for Americans is a wonderful thing and something I would love to be apart of.
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