Renee Reiling
Class Year
1996
Area(s) of Study
French with concentrated studies in Psychology
Hometown
Skokie, IL
Internships
Lake Forest College Study Abroad Program in Paris, France/Internship at Lycée Janson de Sailly, Paris, France
Village of Skokie Internship
Graduate Study
Graduate-level coursework at Lake Forest College Liberal Studies Graduate program/Purdue University (No degrees received)
Current Job
Regional Grants Officer, Rotary Grants, Rotary International, Evanston, IL
How did you explore your interests and decide on a major/majors? (particularly in languages, combined with other academic interests).
From a young age, I was always drawn to foreign languages and other cultures. I started learning French at age 12 and continued to explore both the language and French culture, which sparked my interest in studying abroad. This passion ultimately led me to pursue a career where I could apply my French skills and international experiences — something I’m fortunate to do today at Rotary International.
Describe a moment or experience you had in college that helped define your career path (coursework, internship, study abroad, student organization, etc.).
My college French professors continually encouraged me to strive for excellence. The pivotal moment in my career journey came when I had the chance to study abroad in Paris, France, through the Lake Forest College Study Abroad Program.
What steps did you take at Lake Forest College to prepare for your career?
I enrolled in as many French language, linguistics, and cultural studies courses as possible. At the same time, I developed a strong interest in Psychology, eager to better understand how to work with people—and learn from them as well.
What role did your internship or research experience (or study abroad) play in shaping your career path?
I realized that my career interests centered around becoming a college professor or working with an international organization dedicated to helping those in need. Today, I work for Rotary International, a prominent humanitarian organization committed to making a positive impact worldwide. Through Rotary Grants and other humanitarian programs, we support Rotary members in their efforts to promote global understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving healthcare, expanding access to quality education, protecting the environment, and reducing poverty. For 27 years, I’ve had the opportunity to use my French in this role, communicating with Rotary members and scholars from Francophone Canada, Africa, and France.