Shaping the future: from classroom to climate and Arctic security
Katarina Kertysova (MA 2012) channelled her expertise in languages and international security to secure a sought-after position at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels. She explains how she found inspiration at St Andrews and showed true perseverance in pursuit of her dream job.
My journey to St Andrews started in California, of all places! I was born and raised in eastern Slovakia, in a small town close to the country’s borders with Poland and Ukraine. Having grown up in an area that knew little diversity, I developed a real passion for travelling, foreign languages and cultures.
Thanks to a scholarship for students from post-communist countries, I was fortunate to complete my secondary education in San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, and that’s where I first learned of St Andrews. The University’s Admissions team visited my high school as part of our college counselling, and I immediately fell in love with the idea of studying there. I was attracted by the exceptional academic record, diverse student body, affordable tuition and living costs, and the fact that it was not too far from home compared with the US.
I applied, was accepted, and left sunny California for rainy Scotland in 2008.
Katarina in St Andrews
The joy of learning
I pursued a joint degree in French and International Relations and took modules in Italian and Russian languages during my first two years. I found the language tuition at St Andrews to be of exceptional quality: the teaching was interactive and there were so many opportunities to practise inside and outside the classroom. To this day, I apply the same learning methods when picking up new languages.
As for International Relations, I loved the small group seminars, faculty availability, and the time for independent study. Looking back, I probably spent most of my time in the library. I had a favourite study spot – a booth on the fourth floor overlooking the sea – which is where I found inspiration and peace. Reading week was my absolute favourite – no obligations, no appointments, just the joy of learning.
Katarina at graduation in 2012
Beyond the lecture halls
Outside the classroom, I have very fond memories of my first flat shares, endless opportunities to socialise with like-minded people, beach walks in St Andrews and weekend trips around Scotland. I also took my first golf lessons in St Andrews and continue to play to this day.
I worked part time to support my studies, taking breakfast shifts at the Old Course and waiting tables at Maisha and Little Italy (my favourite restaurant in St Andrews). At times it was demanding to balance work, study and a social life, but that customer service experience taught me important lessons, which serve me to this day – particularly how to deal with difficult people and manage my time effectively.
Graduation celebrations in St Salvator’s Quad
A formative year
In my final year, I took courses in Critical Security Studies (taught by Professor Karin Fierke) and Middle Eastern Studies (taught by Professor Raymond Hinnebusch). I found both so formative that I decided to pursue a Masters degree in International Security with a specialism in Middle Eastern Studies. Having just graduated in French, I decided to move to France and enrol at Sciences Po Paris. Upon graduating in 2014, I moved to the Hague, the Netherlands, to start my professional career.
Chasing and achieving the dream
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to pursue a career in my field of study. After ten years spent building expertise in security and defence-related issues in think-tanks such as the Carnegie Moscow Centre; the Clingendael Institute; the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies; GLOBSEC; the Woodrow Wilson Centre’s Kennan and Polar Institutes; and the European Leadership Network, I completed a competitive selection process to join the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, where I now work as a Climate Security Officer.
I had previously been involved in a forward-looking reflection process with NATO to inform the drafting of the NATO 2030 Agenda and the 2022 Strategic Concept – the second most important document after the Washington Treaty. I was one of 14 NATO 2030 Young Leaders to advise the Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on how the Alliance should adapt for the next decade and beyond, with a particular focus on NATO addressing climate-related security challenges.
Now, my role is predominantly to conduct research and analysis on climate-related developments that have a bearing on the security of NATO members. In addition, I leverage my academic background to build bridges between scholarly work and practitioner requirements – as well as between the broader international expert community and the defence and security sectors. Collaborations such as these are key to pushing the agenda forward.
Katarina with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO
The power of patience and perseverance
The path to my dream job was not linear. I applied to work at NATO several times and reached the final round on three occasions before I succeeded. It was a combination of dedication, patience and perseverance, plus partly being in the right place at the right time.
My journey continues to be inspired by the people I met at St Andrews. I remain in contact with my then academic adviser Dr Marc Lanteigne, whose work on Arctic security inspired me to follow in his footsteps. It was at St Andrews, too, that I learned the value of mentorship and seeking support from strong and inspirational figures. The alumni network is a valuable part of that. I am always pleased to meet fellow St Andrews graduates – it feels like an instant quality assurance check!