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Nicolas Beauch, MPA 2010: Advanced Policy and Economic Analysis
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Nicolas Beauch is a second-year MPA student from France pursuing a concentration in Advanced Policy and Economic Analysis. In Paris he studied at the Ecole Polytechnique. At end of his studies there, he was chosen to be part of the ministerial program, which pays him to study. Through this program, he obtained a Masters in Humanities, Management & Finance from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees. Now he is pursuing his MPA at SIPA while officially employed by France’s Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, & Urban Planning. Prior to SIPA, Nicolas’ training for his future career in the ministry included working in the private sector at BNP Paribas in London and at the Boston Consulting Group in Paris. He has also worked for the French Agency of Development on creating a strategy to support financial systems in Africa.
What kind of work will you do when you graduate?
“After SIPA I will work either in the Ministry of Finance as an economic or budget expert or, I will work in local agencies for transport & urban planning. I hope the SIPA degree will allow me eventually to work at a more international level in the European Commission or other international institutions, such as one of the development banks.”
What has been the best part of your SIPA experience?
“First, the diversity of the students. In our Politics of Policymaking discussion class last year there were 20 people and 10 different countries represented. This diversity means that everyone can make an interesting contribution to the classes, whatever the topic. Every student can benefit from the student diversity, for example, in my Capital Markets class, some people know absolutely nothing about markets and some people were investment bankers, experts in the field.
Second, the variety of classes at Columbia. The number of course offerings and the relative accessibility of any class to any student is considerable. Third, the opportunity this year to teach first-year students. I have learned to talk in front of audience, explain things in a foreign language and exchange.”
SIPA features lots of events for students to attend. Is there any interesting presentation that you have attended that you could comment upon?
“The Children of Latin America: A Future without Poverty event that was organized by the Earth Institute. It was extraordinary to gather five presidents, from Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador, Paraguay, and Panama plus two worldwide famous artists, Shakira and Alejandro Sanz. All of this was moderated by a first-class professor, Jeffrey Sachs.
The panel explained what is at stake in 21st century; how policies in different countries will be implemented to tackle the issue of child poverty. I believe that Columbia is the only university in world that could organize such an event, since it can draw from UN-related events to bring such fabulous speakers.”
What advice would you give a first-year student?
“Try to organize yourself very early. It’s not easy, especially as international student, because you need to find apartment and get set up in New York City. All of this takes a lot of time. And SIPA is a lot of work. Remember that SIPA’s main asset is its student body, so remember to be active in groups and social activities. Try to enjoy New York City. Enjoy every minute because it goes very fast.”
[September 2009]