Luisa Solarte is a recognized expert in international education and career development, with more than 25 years of experience guiding undergraduate students and young professionals through internships, career exploration, and strategic planning for their futures. She is a certified career coach

(University of Miami), a member of the International Coaching Federation, and the founder of Mapping Up, a career development firm. She now leads Careers4U, JCT4Education’s new career development division.

From 2001 to 2017, Luisa built her career in the International Department of The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars in Washington, D.C. As Senior Director for International Recruitment, she designed and led partnerships with governments, foundations, and universities across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Central Asia, bringing thousands of international students to Washington for professional experience and opening doors for them to launch global careers. Her partners included American Councils for International Education, the Flemish Government, the Coca-Cola Foundation, the National University of Singapore, the Government of Gibraltar, and the U.S.–Panama Innovation, Competitiveness and Leadership Program with SENACYT.

She built some of the organization’s strongest recruitment markets, including partnerships with Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad Anahuac, and UDEM in Mexico, as well as leading universities in South Korea and Brazil. For several years she also served as the Responsible Officer to the U.S. Department of State for the J-1 Intern and Trainee visa program, overseeing compliance, sponsorship, and the experience of interns from around the world.

In 2019 she founded Mapping Up, which has since guided more than 500 students and recent graduates from 14 countries.

Her approach rests on three pillars: real-world experience, a strategic professional network, and a clear understanding of one’s own strengths. She also believes deeply that travel and exposure to diverse cultures are transformative, empowering young people not only to define their professional paths but also to discover their unique place in the world.

At Careers4U, Luisa brings this expertise together to connect students and recent graduates with the internships, mentorship, and skills they need to build meaningful global careers.