Meet the People of IAEA Safeguards

Jennifer Wagman

How did you end up joining the IAEA and what were you doing prior to that?

I ended up at the IAEA on accident. I applied on a whim, ended up getting hired, and wound up staying a lot longer than I ever intended. Before I was here, I was a part-time Spanish teacher at my former elementary school – and before that I did digital marketing for a travel agency in Argentina. I held other roles in a variety of industries, from internships to full-time work, but it was always internationally-focused and involved communication, coordination, and planning/organizing related tasks.

What have you learned about yourself while working at this capacity?

Patience, empathy and kindness go a long way. Working in communication, I think carefully about the appropriate ways to deliver a message. This means that I've learned a lot about people and personalities, but more often than not, I've grown into my ability to speak candidly, but also employ patience, empathy, and kindness with my colleagues who bring different skills and perspectives than I do.

How will working at the IAEA enhance your career?

I think no matter what I do next, working at the IAEA opened up doors for me – whether in international organizations, like the United Nations, or through government or non-governmental organizations. It gave me a first-hand perspective of international institutions, which is helpful if I keep my career internationally-focused.

What is your favorite thing about your current work at the IAEA?

I love being able to work with so many people from different places who can get excited about tiny things like atoms! My current position allows me a lot of freedom and access to work with --- and really get to know – people with all different backgrounds. I love how one colleague could be a geologist, another is a computer scientist, and another an astrophysicist.

How is working at the IAEA different than working at other jobs within the United States?

The benefits, for me, make the biggest difference – 30 days of accrued leave every year. I have also never worked in an organization with a strict hierarchy, like the IAEA. The reporting lines and approval processes took some getting used to, but it's incredible when you think about how the people you work with are traveling all over the world on any given day. If you play your cards right, it means you can have fresh dates from the Middle East one day and Matcha flavored Kit-Kats from Asia the next.

What advice would you give to those who are seeking employment at the IAEA?

Do your homework. Reach out and ask people who are working at the IAEA to get a better perspective of what to expect. There are elements to working at the IAEA that may translate into difficult challenges if you aren't prepared for the system – from the contract types and words used ('UN speak') to different management styles and institutional quirks.