Any questions please visit the SIS Graduate Career Services Website
Graduate Career Services
Meet the Team
Please meet your Career Advisors:
Shaine Melnick, Director, Career Education & Employer Relations
Sofia White, Assistant Director, Career Outreach and Programming
David Fletcher, Senior Career Advisor
Learn more about the Master of International Service (MIS) Program at American University.
Shaine Melnick, Director, Career Education & Employer Relations
Shaine earned a B.S. from the University of Florida and an M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California.
Shaine provides leadership and strategic direction in the design and delivery of career services, programming, and alumni engagement for juniors, seniors, and graduate students in the School of International Service.
Email: smelnick@american.edu
Phone: (202) 885-2511
Schedule an appointment with Shaine
Sofia White, Assistant Director, Career Outreach and Programming
Sofia earned a B.A. in Middle East Studies and Political Science from Hamline University and is currently earning an M.A. in Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights at the School of International Service at American University.
Before moving to D.C. Sofia worked in admissions and financial advising for her alma mater, Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN. Hailing from Minneapolis, Sofia earned her B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science focusing on social movement theory, contentious politics, women’s rights, democratization, and access to education in the Middle East and North Africa. Through her professional roles Sofia developed a passion for student development and remains dedicated to the importance of equitable higher education. A lover of “doing all the good you can,” Sofia is committed to service learning and leadership in and out of her community. Her position as Assistant Director in the SIS Office of Career Development functions to work closely with alumni and employers by connecting them with current students through career and mentorship programming. Sofia is also currently earning her M.A. in Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights concentrating on International Peace and Conflict Resolution from SIS. She uses She/Her/Hers pronouns.
Email: swhite@american.edu
Phone: (202) 885-1445
Schedule an appointment with Sofia
David Fletcher, Senior Career Advisor
MBA, University of Maryland
MS, Marketing, University of Maryland
BA, Government and Politics, University of Maryland
David is part of the career advising team for juniors and seniors as well as recent alumni of the School of International Service. He assists applicants for nationally competitive scholarships through the Office of Merit Awards and lends guidance to Global Scholars, Olson Scholars, and University College students with career services. Also David advises student organizations such as SIS Undergraduate Council, IFC/Panhellenic Council, Delta Phi Epsilon, and Zeta Psi. He enjoys representing the School of International Service to prospective and new students at Preview Days, Eagle Summits, and other orientation events. An innate coach, he helps students to clarify their career goals and gain the critical knowledge and skills they need to launch their career. David draws upon his previous advising experience with the University Career Center where he advised Kogod School of Business students, as well as his international business background with multinational corporations, including Continental Airlines, Taylor Made Adidas, and Commercial Plastics & Supply Corporation. David has traveled extensively to 49 states and 16 countries on three continents. Having studied French and Russian for a few years, he has tremendous respect and admiration for multilingual speakers.
Email: fletcher@american.edu
Phone: (202) 885-1811
Schedule an appointment with David
MA, International Education Policy, Higher Education, and Student Affairs, University of Maryland
MA, Education and Teaching, Pepperdine University
BA, English, Pepperdine University
Julia’s professional roles have always centered around helping students achieve their goals. She has worked with students of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures both domestically and abroad in Slovakia, South Korea, and Germany. Prior to joining the Office of Career Development team at SIS, Julia held positions in study abroad advising and teacher performance assessment at the University of Maryland. She is passionate about the opportunities for change-making present in International Affairs careers and focused her graduate studies on young adult involvement in the peacebuilding process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Email: jbarr@american.edu
Schedule an appointment with Julia
John Charles, Career Advisor
MA, Communication, University of Hawaii
MA, Education, Stanford University
BA, Government and French, Oberlin College
John advises first- and second-year undergraduate students in the School of International Service. His primary function is to work with students in individual sessions on applications for internships, jobs and fellowships. John believes that achieving career success after graduation from AU depends largely on activities undertaken during one’s time on campus—through internships, student organization involvement, participation in conferences and seminars in Washington, D.C., and networking with alumni and other students, faculty and staff. John’s professional experience includes two stints at federal government agencies, serving as program manager for an educational nonprofit, and teaching English in Japan.
Email: charles@american.edu
Phone: (202) 885-1810
Schedule an appointment with Charles