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What happens when a chance encounter shifts your entire life path? For Laura Jagla, a brief handshake with then-candidate Barack Obama during her college years sparked a journey from organic chemistry studies to a fulfilling career in international development.

Laura Jagla's story begins in South Bend, Indiana, where her mother's dedication as a teacher and early friendships with international students ignited her curiosity about global communities. Though she initially pursued science, a pivotal moment came when she sprinted across campus—backpack loaded with textbooks—to meet Obama at a university event. This brief interaction planted the seed for her future in public service.

Her transition wasn't immediate or straightforward. With scholarships funding her year abroad in France (despite arriving to find her documents and money stolen), Laura embraced the challenges of immersing herself in a new culture and language. This resilience served her well as she later secured a Boren Fellowship in Mozambique, which provided preferential hiring status for federal positions and eventually led to her selection by USAID.

Throughout her decade with USAID, Laura witnessed the transformative power of international development firsthand. She shares moving stories of colleagues whose work lifted entire families from poverty and innovative partnerships between American and international universities that benefited communities across continents. These person-to-person connections demonstrate how development work creates meaningful, lasting change beyond policy documents.

For aspiring professionals, Laura Jagla offers candid insights about navigating workplace challenges, from building consensus among passionate colleagues to adapting to Washington DC's fast-paced environment. Despite acknowledging current difficulties in entering international development, she remains optimistic about the future and the innovative approaches the next generation will bring to global challenges.

Curious about how unexpected moments might shape your own career path? Listen now to discover how public service can create ripple effects of positive change around the world.

Music, lyrics, guitar and singing by Dr Ariel Rosita King

Teach me to live one day at a time
with courage love and a sense of pride.
Giving me the ability to love and accept myself
so I can go and give it to someone else.
Teach me to live one day at a time.....

The Business of Life
Dr Ariella (Ariel) Rosita King
Original Song, "Teach Me to Live one Day At A Time"
written, guitar and vocals by Dr. Ariel Rosita King

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