From: Economic and Political Development Concentration
Date: September 7, 2022
Subject: EPD Newsletter #1 - Welcome to SIPA!



Greetings to our returning and new EPD-ers!  

Happy Wednesday and a very happy first week of classes!

Summer has flown by and we are excited to welcome you to a new semester and to what is undoubtedly the best concentration at SIPA (no bias here, we promise). For returning students, we look forward to being able to see you in person. For new students, this is the first installment of our weekly EPD newsletter. We'll include news, events, and opportunities from the world of EPD as well as updates from around SIPA that we think are of interest to EPD students.

From next week on, we would like to feature a fellow EPD student (or two!) in our newsletters so that we can all learn a little bit more about each other. Submit a brief bio containing your specialization and a few sentences about your previous experience and interest areas, along with a headshot to Suhail or Zoya (emails are at the bottom).

This week’s newsletter includes:

  • EPD Events
  • Meet Your Program Assistants
  • Career Resources
  • Other Events
  • EPD Office Hours

EPD EVENTS
 
EPD Course Advising Session
When: Thursday, September 8, 1 - 2 PM 
Where:
Room 1302
Register HERE

This is an informal discussion session led by the EPD Program Assistants and other second-year students to discuss their thoughts and ideas about different courses, tips for navigating the semester and assignments, and managing your course load. Come with your questions and queries, and we'll do our best to answer them and guide you to the necessary resources to ensure you succeed in your time at SIPA!  

 
  
EPD Retreat
When: Saturday, September 17, 9 AM - 8 PM
Where: Taconic Outdoor Education Center

 
Our annual EPD Retreat will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022, 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.


NOTE: Registration is currently at full capacity, 
but you will be able to join a waitlist. 

Join a waitlist on Campusgroups HERE  
Registration and payment deadline: by 5pm on Friday, September 9.
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.  

Employment Challenges Amidst Premature Deindustrialization: An African Profile
When: Monday, September 19, 1 - 2 PM
Where: Room 407, IAB
Co-sponsors:
Center for Development Economics and Policy, SIPA Pan African Network

Register HERE

Please join EPD for a seminar on "Employment Challenges Amidst Premature Deindustrialization: An African Profile" presented by Prof. Haroon Bhorat, Director of the Development Policy Research Unit at the University of Cape Town. 

This event will be moderated by Akbar Noman, SIPA Adjunct Professor and Senior Fellow, Initiative for Policy Dialogue. 

 


MEET YOUR EPD PROGRAM ASSISTANTS

EPD is very pleased to (re)introduce Suhail S. Thandi and Zoya Dhakam as the Program Assistants for fall 2022! We're looking forward to working with you as we continue to support our EPD community.

Suhail S. Thandi

Hometown: New Delhi, India
Specialization: Management

Background: I worked with corporate clients in India to help them develop public-sector projects with government agencies, before shifting gears and working at a philantropic venture. I developed programs across themes of economic development (including public health, education, labor and industrialization, etc.), specifically looking at India and China and their development journey. This past summer, I interned at the International Trade Centre at the United Nations.

Fun fact: I can usually predict how a TV show or movie is going to go, where the twists and turns will be, and how it will end, much to the annoyance of the people watching with me. The only movie where I was completely off... Avengers Infinity Wars. That one I gotta say surprised me.

Zoya Dhakam

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Specialization: Management

Background: The majority of my professional experience has been in early childhood development, community engagement, and education in under-resourced areas of Pakistan. Currently, I am also leading SIPA-UNA and serving as a Youth Representative at the UN. This summer I interned with the OECD, Innovation for Development Facility and Community of Practice on Poverty and Inequality. 

Fun Fact: I've authored around 20 children's storybooks in Urdu, and will continue to write more. 


 


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


CPT INFORMATION SESSIONS

SIPA's Career Advancement Center will be hosting a series of CPT Information Sessions during the fall semester to provide students with information about CPT policies and the application process. Below you will find the dates/times and Zoom meeting information:
 
September 9, 2022: 3 - 4 PM.
Meeting ID: 949 8432 9936
Passcode: SIPACAC
 
September 13, 2022: 3 - 4 PM.
Meeting ID: 921 5757 0445
Passcode: SIPACAC
 
September 22, 2022: 2 - 3 PM.
Meeting ID: 972 3773 6107
Passcode: SIPACAC
 
September 29, 2022: 2 - 3 PM.
Meeting ID: 921 8448 0504
Passcode: SIPACAC
 
October 6, 2022: 2 - 3 PM.
Meeting ID: 945 2343 6484
Passcode: SIPACAC
 
October 13, 2022: 2 - 3 PM.
Meeting ID: 953 9563 9008
Passcode: SIPACAC
  

OTHER EVENTS


Center on Global Energy Policy and Reception for Students
When: Wednesday, September 14, 6 - 7 PM
Where: Faculty House, Columbia University

6:00-7:00 p.m. EDT
Faculty House, Columbia University

Please join the Center on Global Energy Policy for an in-person open house as we begin the fall semester. An introduction to the Center will be provided and students will have the opportunity to speak with our scholars and fellows about their backgrounds and their current work and research. Beer, wine, and passed hors d'oeuvres will be served. 

Registration is required. This event is open only to currently-enrolled Columbia University students. To register, you must sign in with your UNI. 

REGISTER 


EPD OFFICE HOURS

Jenny McGill, EPD Co-Director and Workshop Director
Sign-up online via https://tinyurl.com/mcgill-oh or
By appointment at em419@columbia.edu

Ilona Vinklerova, EPD Manager
Sign up online via https://sipa.campusgroups.com/meetings/1060915/IlonaOH_Fall2022

Suhail Thandi, EPD Program Assistant
By appointment at sst2151@columbia.edu

Zoya Dhakam, EPD Program Assistant
By appointment at zsd2110@columbia.edu

Your favorite PAs,
Zoya and Suhail