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Andrew Buher, MIA 2010: Second year MPA student, Management concentrator
Andrew Buher is a second year MPA candidate with a concentration in management. Prior to enrolling at SIPA, he worked in the government and non-profit spaces dealing primarily with education. Andrew is magna cum laude graduate of Rider University where he received his B.A. in politics. At Rider, Andrew was a Presidential Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress in Washington D.C.
How did you obtain your internship?
"I obtained my summer internship with an organization called Education Pioneers, through the Office of Career Services (OCS). OCS was extraordinary helpful at every step of my internship search. OCS is a tremendous resource whether you are looking for general advice or looking for a specific personal or industry-specific connection."
How did you find the core curriculum at SIPA?
"SIPA’s core curriculum is designed with a keen eye on the skills and habits of mind students will need to be successful policy makers in the future. "
Can you describe the learning environment at SIPA? For example, have you been required to do a lot of group work?
"The learning environment at SIPA is one that fosters interaction. I often found myself learning as much from my bright and talented peers during our group projects as I did in formal in-class lectures."
Have you taken classes at other Columbia Schools?
"While my concentration at SIPA is management, I am applying the skills I acquire to the education space. As such, I attempted to supplement and compliment my management classes at SIPA with education-focused classes at Columbia Business School, Teachers College, and Columbia Law School. The opportunity to take classes across the university is an opportunity that every SIPA student should take full advantage of."
What kind of work do you hope to do when you graduate?
"I hope to work in education policy upon graduation. I am confident SIPA has prepared with the requisite tools necessary to be successful in my job search and beyond."
[July 2010]