Around the Table with Hermes Grullon

Around the Table is a three-question interview series from the Make Room email newsletter. Each edition features a conversation with a peer in the national security community to learn about their expertise and experience in the sector.

Hermes Grullon is a U.S. Foreign Service Officer. His current assignment is as a Foreign Service Orientation Deputy Course Coordinator, welcoming all new Foreign Service Officers. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the U.S. Department of State.

1. How has your background as a Dominican-American from Brooklyn influenced your approach to diplomacy and your understanding of international relations?

I believe our backgrounds serve as a superpower for any career. It’s what makes us special. Our unique upbringings influence the way we see the world. Beyond living in Brooklyn, I also spent four formative years at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

Here are three ways my background has influenced my approach:

• I remain curious. I love to learn about others – whether in a big city or small rural town. People and cultures fascinate me. That curiosity and passion to learn from others has helped me remain humble and have fun in my career as a diplomat.
• I value people-to-people connections. I have many fond memories dancing at family parties to bachata and merengue and being offered too much food beyond what I could eat. Beyond the food and dancing, I learned the value of being in community with others, which has become a hallmark of my diplomacy.
• I bring my style and embrace who I am. People love fashion in New York. Style is more than what we wear. It is about tapping into what makes us unique. It’s been a gift to share my piece of the United States with others.

2. You’ve been a Rangel Scholar, Gilman Scholar, and a Pickering Fellow, among other distinctions. What advice would you give to first-generation students aspiring to careers in diplomacy or international relations?

First off, if you are a first-generation college student, I want to applaud you and your proverbial village for getting to this point. I know it’s not easy. You are writing a new chapter for your family. I hope you take pride in being a first-generation college student and see it as a strength.

Here go five suggestions:

• Write down your goal. You are more likely to achieve a goal when you write it down. Visualize yourself accomplishing it. It is possible for you.
• Master the fundamentals. Focus on your studies. Be an excellent student. Sharpen your oral and written communication skills.
• Leverage scholarships and fellowships. There are many more programs to increase representation in international affairs than when I completed my undergraduate studies. Make a list and apply to them!
• Meet with your diplomat in residence (DIR). DIRs are located across the United States to guide and support you in seeking a career in diplomacy. Schedule a time to chat with them!
• Practice gratitude. None of us succeed alone. Thank your professor who wrote you a recommendation letter. Thank your mentors. Thank your family.

I believe in you. Count me in your corner!

3. What has been the most meaningful part of leading and mentoring others in the Foreign Service? How do you approach “paying it forward”?

The most meaningful part of leading and mentoring others is the impact and success those individuals have across the globe and on others. It brings me joy when I know I’ve played a small part in someone’s professional development or empowering them to tap into their gifts.

My approach to “paying it forward” involves:

• One-on-one meetings: Nothing replaces the trust and loyalty established in one-on-one meetings. Giving people your time (one of our most precious assets in our busy schedules) signals to them that they are important. I have one-on-one meetings on my calendar with those who I lead and mentor.
• Volunteering: We can all volunteer in some capacity. For example, I have served on selection panels for different fellowship and scholarship programs. I frequently speak to different groups about lessons learned from my career. I also serve as president (a volunteer role) for the Pickering and Rangel Fellows Association–which represents over 1000 alumni of these fellowship programs.
• Creating opportunities: Tapping into our network to offer opportunities is also important. We may be able to recommend someone for a position or flag an opportunity.

Ultimately, we all have a role in paying it forward!