From: Economic and Political Development Concentration
Date: September 11, 2023
Subject: EPD Newsletter | September 11, 2023


Reflecting on the First Week, Anticipating the Rest

Hello EPD Enthusiasts!

We hope your first week of classes went well, and for those still navigating course options, we're rooting for your choices!

New York's unpredictable weather–with its blazing heat and then rain and thunder–only adds to the city's charm that we can't help but love. The exciting part is that fall is just around the corner and so is the EPD Retreat, and we're buzzing with anticipation! Join us on September 30 as we explore the realms of economic and political development with a whole day filled with fun activities. 


We might also have a surprise EPD event this week or next week. We are working on it, so please stay tuned for updates.

For additional communication and updates, we invite you to join our EPD WhatsApp group. Simply click here to be a part of our EPD community. We can't wait to connect with you there!

This week’s newsletter includes:

  • EPD Student Spotlight: Get to Know Your Peers
  • EPD Events
  • Career Resources
  • Career Advancement Center Events - September 11 through September 22
  • Job Opportunity Alert! (Rapporteur position available)
  • Things to do in NYC
  • Book Review: Memories of the Future by Siri Hustvedt
  • EPD Office Hours

EPD Student Spotlight: Get to Know Your Peers

We want this newsletter to be more than just information – we want it to be a platform where EPD students can connect and get to know one another. That's why we're introducing our EPD Student Spotlight!

Every week, we'll shine a light on one of our talented peers. We want to hear your stories, your experiences, and what makes you unique. Are you involved in exciting research? Do you have an interesting background or a hidden talent? Share it with us!

Submit your story and a picture of yourself by clicking here. We can't wait to feature you in our upcoming spotlights and celebrate the diverse and incredible individuals that make up our EPD community.🌟📸

EPD Events

EPD Retreat

When: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 9 am - 8 pm

Where: Taconic Outdoor Education Center

Our annual EPD Retreat will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center (TOEC) located in Cold Spring, NY (just over an hour north of NYC). The retreat is an excellent opportunity for new students to make new friends, bond with second-year EPD students, and engage with several EPD faculty in a fun outdoor setting. Registration is open to both first- and second-year EPD concentrators.

There are limited number of seats left! Register on CampusGroups Here   

Registration and payment deadline: by 5pm on Friday, September 22.

Cost: $40 (cash or check payable to Columbia University). 

A detailed agenda and confirmation email will be sent to all who registered (and paid) prior to the retreat.  

Career Resources

SIPA Career Website & Resources

  • Check out great career development resources for students that can be found on SIPA Career Resources Website.
  • Factsheets on Career Development - Tips for international students and on connecting with alumni, interviewing, networking, PMF information, writing resumes and cover letters and other career development topics.
  • Career Overview Factsheet - Information, sample employers, and online resources for a variety of fields and industries
  • Sector-Specific Fact Sheets - Lists of employers by industry or field, organizational charts, and information on IFC and World Bank internship programs and YPPs.
  • Check out other resources on this website. 

Career Advancement Center Events - September 11 through September 22
Hispanic Heritage Month - Writing Your Resume for Federal Jobs 
When: Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: Permanent US Work Authorization Required
For more information CLICK HERE.
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CPT Info Session
When: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Hispanic Heritage Month - Interviewing for Federal Jobs 
When: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: Permanent US Work Authorization Required
For more information CLICK HERE
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Management Consulting Workshop 
When: Thursday, September 14, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: IAB Room 411
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Human Rights Watch Employer Information Session
When: Thursday, September 14, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Hispanic Heritage Month - Applying for Federal Internships 
When: Thursday, September 14, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: Permanent US Work Authorization Required
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Career Chat with Connie Zhao, Strategy Ops Lead, Google
When: Monday, September 18, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PMWhere: IAB Room 411
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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NNSA Employer Information Session
When: Monday, September 18, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: Permanent US Work Authorization Required
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Rethinking Water 2023 Conference
When: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: The Forum, 605 W 125th Street, New York, NY
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Developing World Markets - Impact Investing Employer Information Session
When: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: IAB Room 411
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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Rethinking Water 2023 Career Fair
When: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: The Forum, 605 W 125th Street, New York, NY
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.

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CPT Info Session
When: Thursday, September 21, 2023Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.

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Marathon Capital Employer Information Session
When: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: IAB Room 405
Work Authorization Requirement: N/A
For more information CLICK HERE.
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US Fish and Wildlife Service Employer Information Session
When: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: IAB, Room 420 Conference Room
Work Authorization Requirement: Permanent US Work Authorization Required
For more information CLICK HERE.

Job Opportunity Alert! 

Columbia University is seeking a Rapporteur/Administrator for its Seminars. This in-person role requires proficiency in Portuguese and involves monthly evening meetings, totaling 8-10 hours per month. Compensation ranges from $25.00/hour in the first two years to $30/hour thereafter. Eligible candidates are full-time Columbia University graduate students.

Contact the Seminar Chairs for more information:
- Diana Brown: dbrown@bard.edu
- John F. Collins: zemilideias@yahoo.com
- Sidney M. Greenfield: sidneygreenfield@gmail.com
- Vania Penha-Lopes: vania_penha-lopes@bloomfield.edu 

Things to do in NYC

New York City Broadway Week (September 4-17)

Broadway, where classic tales find fresh interpretations and star-studded performances dazzle, epitomizes the essence of live theater. A trip to New York City remains incomplete without immersing yourself in the captivating world of midtown Manhattan's theater district. As NYC Broadway Week unfolds, you have the chance to savor the finest Broadway productions with a special offer of 2-for-1 tickets for select shows.

Rooftop Cinema Club (Tickets available here)

Rooftop Cinema Club has you covered with a fantastic lineup of films scheduled through October 31st.

Roller Skating at Rockefeller Center (Tickets available here)

The excitement of gliding by Prometheus and in full view of visitors at Rockefeller Center is truly exhilarating. Before Flipper's opened its doors last year, the last time anyone roller-skated here was way back in 1940! Secure your tickets, starting at just a little over $20, for an hour of fun on the rink.

Book Review: Memories of the Future by Siri Hustvedt

Memories of the Future is a memoir by New York’s very own Siri Hustvedt. It’s a story of a young writer who comes to New York from Minnesota with the dreams to become an author. But what is interesting about this book is that it could be a story of any of us–with Siri trying to find her feet in the city, living in the Morningside Heights, walking along the Riverside Park, idling hours away in Butler while she studies at Columbia, finding a place in the Hungarian Pastry Shop and sitting there for hours, sometimes writing, other times smoking, until she finds her own people in the city who are fiery and weird but love her nonetheless and become her companions for life. Hustvedt, as she digs into her memories, is often amused and nostalgic but is also sometimes angry at herself for not breaking the rules that she should have as a woman, for being scared and violated, but more so at being patronized as a young woman.      

There are pages in the book that would make you cry and pages that would make you smile and you wouldn’t help but wonder how you could relate to her experiences in this city even after passing of more than fifty years since she started living in this neighborhood as a student.         

If you are into literary nonfiction and want to read a story based in New York that you could resonate with, this is the book for you!

EPD Office Hours 

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