“My studies in philosophy have shaped everything for me—from my chosen career path to the way that I think about life day-to-day.”

 

When Hannah Fowler graduated with a BA in philosophy from CSU in 2011 and then a MA from CU Boulder, she was ready to make a difference in the world.  “I knew I wanted to take everything that I had learned in school about ethics, politics, world religions, and critical thinking and learn how to apply it practically to improve our world.”  Without a doubt, Fowler has succeeded in this goal many times over.

 

Peace Corps in Indonesia

After finishing her degrees, Fowler came to “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” For the hands-on experience and an opportunity to gain different perspectives on the world, Fowler joined the Peace Corps and moved to Indonesia. She was stationed in a small town in Pasuruan, East Java where she was assigned to teach English at a vocational high school.

Fowler’s proudest and most gratifying project in Indonesia was the launch of a women’s debate team—something that had never existed at the small religious school where she worked. The creation and coaching of the team were directly inspired by Fowler’s philosophy background, especially her training in logic and ethics.

“I coached the team in making sound arguments, avoiding fallacies, and encouraged critical thinking as I had been taught at CSU. We critically examined arguments for and against birth control, school uniforms, being stay-at-home moms, religious restrictions, abortions, and many other subjects that they may not have been exposed to or had only ever heard one side of. They excelled, and we traveled around the region winning competitions. I would not have been able to coach them without my degree in philosophy.”

 

Global NGO Experiences

After her Peace Corps assignment, Fowler continued her work in the non-profit sector around the world. First, she moved to Papua, Indonesia to work with an ocean conservation NGO, then on to Ghana for a menstrual health and women’s education program, and then to China to teach English. When Fowler returned to the U.S., she had the opportunity to serve as the operations manager for a domestic violence agency and shelter for immigrants in Boston.

Fowler loved the nonprofit world. However, over time, she came to a profound insight that would direct her path going forward. “I was coming to the realization that the true power for change comes from governments, and we need better decision makers and safety net creators within our government.” This was the motivation, along with her international experience, that prompted Fowler to join the U.S. State Department in her current role.

 

 

Diplomatic Service

Fowler now works as a diplomat assigned to U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. As a consular officer, she conducts visa interviews for foreign applicants wanting to visit, work, or live in the U.S. She also assists Americans with consular services abroad such as in the case of arrests, adoptions, child abductions, births abroad, passport renewals, repatriations, and other services. Her first two-year placement was in Yaounde, Cameroon, and she currently serves in Bridgetown, Barbados.

This shift in focus has culminated in the perfect career for Fowler—bringing together her passion for positive change and a meaningful and sustainable path toward that end.  “I enjoy the challenges of my work, the impact that I can make in the lives of applicants and Americans, the potential to positively impact government policies, and the diverse career paths that I can take in the future within the State Department.”

Fowler sees the direct connection of philosophy on shaping the trajectory of her life. “The benefit of studying philosophy is that you leave school with a well-rounded education that doesn’t just teach you a specific subject or have you memorize a textbook—rather you leave having learned how to be open minded, rational, and think critically. This is incredibly valuable today. I am happy with my career and where it has taken me, but a solid, well-rounded education and the ability to think critically about the world around you is something that can never be taken from you.”