Fall 2017 New Students Series Esteban Angel COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Fall 2017 New Students Series Esteban Angel COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog In todays installment of our  New Students Series were welcoming Esteban Angel from Bogota, Colombia. Esteban studied mechanical engineering at Universidad De Los Andes, and  he hopes to be a leader in the energy policy field one day. He admits that he cried after reading his acceptance letter, and he is excited about living in his dream city. Were excited to meet you, too, Esteban! Full Name: Esteban Angel Age: 29 Degree Program: Master of Public Administration Concentration: Energy and Environment Hometown: Bogota, Capital District, Colombia Undergraduate University: Universidad De Los Andes Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Graduation Year: 2012 What’s your professional background? My professional background is in consultancy and private equity, both focused on social and economic development. I worked for two years in Compartamos con Colombia (www.compartamos.org) a non-profit consulting firm focused on positive social impact projects in Colombia. Then I moved to Bamboo Capital Partners (www.bamboocp.com) an impact investing private equity firm specialising in investing in business models that benefit low-income communities in emerging markets, where I currently work. Did you apply to SIPA to change careers or to gain experience in a career path you already have experience in? I want to gain experience in the energy sector, this may imply a career change but not necessarily. I want to learn a lot about energy policy but this can be implemented both in the public or private sector e.g. a private equity firm focused in renewables. What was your reaction when you found out you were accepted to SIPA? I must accept that I was so happy that I cried. Why did you say yes to SIPA? Because it is the program/university which I most wanted and also because I have always dreamed about living in NYC. What do you most look forward to as a graduate student at SIPA? Meeting amazing people and living in a wonderful city, while learning a lot from teachers and their courses. Do you have any apprehensions about starting graduate school? None What are your goals after SIPA? My main goal is to become a leader in renewable energy policy and implementation. If you could change one small thing about your community, country or the world, what would it be? Well, it is not a small thing, but definitely, I will eradicate the internal conflict and violence in my country, Colombia. Tell us something interesting about yourself: I like a lot knowing new people and travelling. Im also a big soccer and biking fan. Looking forward to meeting seeples with whom I can play soccer and ride, in NYC and surroundings. Share your story by completing  the New Student Self-Interview Form  today! [Photo courtesy of Esteban Angel] *Note: This series is published in its original form with no editing.