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Go Kobayashi, MPA 2010: Dual degree with London School of Economics
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Go Kobayashi is a second-year SIPA MPA, concentrating on Economic and Political Development. He is a Dual Degree student, completing the first year curriculum at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and holds a BA in Law from Tokyo University in Japan.
Prior to the MPA program, Go worked five years as a legal official for the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, taking part in international climate change negotiations for the most part, as well as designing a carbon tax system, and managing public pollution patients compensation schemes.
What attracted you to SIPA?
I greatly appreciate the wide range of policy areas taught at SIPA. One can easily find interesting subjects to pursue, but it is hard to choose which ones to give up. Currently I am taking courses related to the environment, development, as well as globalization. As a whole they comprise a good balance, in terms of natural and social science aspects, and also quantitative approaches and theoretical backgrounds.
In addition, I was attracted to the Capstone project, which provides a rare opportunity to demonstrate the skills gained, through consultancy work for high profile organizations. I am preparing for a field research in Latin America to formulate a CSR strategy for a major corporation.
Did you choose to attend SIPA to change careers, or to gain experience in a career path you already had experience in?
I chose SIPA to reinforce my experience in the field with academic background, as well as to obtain a cross-cutting view of public policy. For example, climate policies are increasingly viewed as not only an environmental and energy policy. Innovative financial instruments are proposed, intellectual property regimes challenged, pressures increased on public health, and integration to development planning is called for. The two years I spend here in exchange with further work in the field will help me adapt better to such dynamics in policy formulation.
Columbia University and SIPA feature lots of events for students to attend. Is there any interesting presentation that you have attended that you could comment upon?
On attending socializing events with alumni, I was surprised at the wide range of career opportunities SIPA provides. Students themselves proactively organize many events as well, some focusing on finding careers in the United Nations, energy industries, and carbon financing, while others spread cultural understandings of various regions through movie nights and festivals. But above all, I enjoy attending the public lectures which cover interesting and timely topics with valuable insights from many professors.
Do you feel like you have gotten to know some of the faculty members?
SIPA offers many interesting subjects to a remarkably large student body. Taking this into account, faculty members have been helpful getting me through the complex class registration and other administrative processes. I found class assignments to be suitable opportunities for further discussions with professors, and I appreciate their welcoming stance.
Can you comment specifically on some exciting things about your concentration?
As briefly mentioned, I find the Capstone projects the most attractive feature of the EPD concentration. Having a longer preparation period than other concentrations, the EPD Capstones require field research in developing countries using the winter and spring vacations, providing a valuable opportunity for on-the-ground interaction. I believe this hands-on experience will enable me to look not only horizontally – cross-cuttingly – but vertically through development related strategies in my future work.
[July 2010]