Benjamin M. O'Brien

benob18@bu.edu

310-905-7904

Education

Boston University, Graduation: May 2025

• Bachelor of Arts, International Relations (Foreign Policy and Security Studies)
• Minor in Business Administration and Management

Work Experience

Legislative Intern, Jun. 2024-Aug. 2024

• Handled a variety of legislative-oriented tasks, including policy and position research, committee support, briefing minutes, and press compilations
• Exercised outstanding interpersonal skills when handling constituent services, such as Capitol tours, mail service, and in-person visits
• Drafted memos, speeches, talking points, and policy briefs for the Member

Operations Assistant, May 2023-Aug. 2023

• Used Microsoft Excel to create a working inventory, analyzed the cost of scrap on operating income, handled delivery and pickup shipments with suppliers, and ensured highest possible quality for all warehouse shipments
• Supported senior management with scheduling, reporting, and correspondence
• Facilitated store operations, including inventory management and restocking

Leadership and Campus Involvement

Associate Editor, Jun. 2024-Present

• As the co-editor of the Asia section, collaborated with section editors, writers, and media staff to oversee the process of content creation and distribution
• Enabled the writing staff to deliver professional-level articles through vigilant revising and advising rounds
• Assigned stories, set deadlines, and enforced editorial standards

Online Writer,Jan. 2024-Jun. 2024

• Selected to write for Boston University’s premiere international relations journal, assignments revolved around current events in Asia with a focus on security and foreign policy news
• Conducted interviews with policymakers, diplomats, analysts, and local sources
• Monitored government policies, think tank reports, and regional news for breaking developments

President, Dec. 2023-Present

• Elected leader of one of the largest student organizations on campus, directed strategy for all financial, recruitment and philanthropic endeavors and employed high-level EQ and organizational skills to maintain high-profile on campus
• Lead executive board meetings and general chapter meetings
• Resolved conflicts and fostered a strong brotherhood culture

Academic Team Projects

Capstone Final Project

Policy Recommendation Paper, Jan. 2023-May 2023

• Worked with a team of seven students to research and write a 50-page paper on discrimination against transgender students in Florida’s public school system, detailing the issues history, current context, and a policy solution strategy
• Elected by the group to act as the chief editor of the final paper, interviewed leaders of Floridian special interest groups and defended the team’s findings to a three-professor panel
• Achieved a grade of 94/100

Strategy Analysis of HSBC in the United Arab Emirates

Strategy, Country, and Performance Analysis, Jan. 2024-May 2024

• Worked with a team of 7 students to create a professional-level slide deck and accompanying 70-page analysis on HSBC’s entry and operation strategy in the United Arab Emirates
• Wrote and delivered 2 focus sections on HSBC’s corporate governance and relationship with Sharia Law and played a pivotal role in the team achieving the highest class-wide grade
• Achieved a grade of 98/100

Skills and Interests

Skills

Interests