Argentine international analyst and father reclaims career in the U.S.
Growing up in a military family in Argentina, Santiago was no stranger to changing scenery — but moving his young family to the U.S. in early 2023 was different. It wasn’t just a new job or city; it was an entirely new beginning.
“I think one of the hardest decisions you can make is going to live abroad,” Santiago says. “You put all your skills, background, values, education — all that you have — on the table.”
As a seasoned professional from Argentina, Santiago earned a bachelor’s in international relations and a master’s in international politics and economics. For over eight years, he worked as an international analyst at the Argentine Ministry of Defense.
Navigating challenges and seeking support
When he and his wife, an American citizen, moved to upstate New York in search of new opportunities with their two young children, Santiago became a full-time caretaker while his wife supported the family financially. But he was determined to restart his career.
“Altogether, it was tough to handle,” he says, reflecting on how the stressful year as a stay-at-home dad helped him grow professionally and personally. For months, he struggled to reenter his career while juggling his new familial responsibilities.
“At a certain point, I said, ‘Okay, I need help with my resume. I need help with my elevator pitch. I need training to have more chances,’” Santiago recalls.
That’s when he discovered Upwardly Global through an online search. By June of 2023, Santiago was paired with his job coach, Molly, who became a guiding light as he navigated a new professional journey.
Perseverance and breaking through with Upwardly Global
“From the very beginning, she was so supportive and understanding. She provided everything she could to help me build confidence,” Santiago says. She encouraged him to ask key questions: What’s your added value? What are your unique skills? What can you offer to be a good worker?
Despite Molly’s support, the job search wasn’t easy. A few months into his move, Santiago had to take a part-time job as a UPS package handler, starting as early as 3:30 a.m. to help make ends meet.
“It’s not stepping back, it’s stepping forward,” he says, reflecting on the experience. “In the end, it’s not just a profession or a salary — it’s about being human and learning.”
It took Santiago eight months to land a role that matched his expertise, all while caring for his now 2- and 5-year-old.
“I didn’t have any connections here. I was not familiar with the way to apply for jobs. The mindset is completely different, so it was a big adjustment,” he says. “In that path, I found a lot of support and help and good advice from the Upwardly Global team.”
By December 2023, Santiago landed a job as an Associate Intelligence Manager at a company based in Washington, D.C., that works closely with Latin America.
A journey of community and transformation
“I’m very lucky — my daily work allows me to stay connected to my roots, speaking both Spanish and English, balancing between two cultures,” he says. “Serving a multilateral organization that brings development projects to Latin America is very rewarding and purpose-driven.”
Santiago says his journey brought him a new sense of belonging and solidarity in this multicultural country. Attending multiple networking events through Upwardly Global, he found connections and support that helped him embrace this new chapter.
“I don’t think any of us can achieve this kind of thing alone — you need the emotional, material, and daily support of people that you love,” he says, crediting his family and the new friends and colleagues who supported his success. “And the people are the backbone of [Upwardly Global’s] program.”
For Santiago, his journey wasn’t about leaving everything behind but seeing his skills from a new perspective.
“It’s not like leaving what you have and starting from scratch; it’s more like recycling. Trying to see it from a different angle,” he says. “This last year’s journey was key, feeling part of a community facing the same challenges and experiencing that solidarity.”