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Richard Parker, MIA 2011: Second-year International Security Policy Concentrator
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Richard is a second-year student pursuing an MIA degree with a concentration in International Security Policy and a regional focus on Africa. Richard graduated with honors with a B.S. in Marketing from Hampton University and was also the student speaker at his graduation.
Prior to his matriculation at SIPA Richard worked for two years in the Capitol Hill office for Representative Rush D. Holt (NJ-12) where he witnessed firsthand policy formation in his role as Staff Assistant. Prior to that Richard worked as a Logistics Specialist for Johnson and Johnson on their largest customer account from 2005 to 2007.
Post SIPA Richard plans to return back to Washington D.C. to work on issues of terrorism and maritime security in Africa for the U.S. government.
What has been the best part of your SIPA experience?
My classmates are truly the best part of my SIPA experience. The diversity and wealth of knowledge that my classmate’s posses is amazing and makes me thankful I chose SIPA for graduate school. Classroom discussions and group projects are greatly enhanced by the range of thought and background of my classmates. Additionally my classmates are all very passionate, determined, ambitious and driven. I always try to surround myself with people who will constantly push, challenge and motivate me and my classmates definitely motivate and encourage me.
What has been the most challenging part of your SIPA experience?
The most challenging part to me was transitioning back into school mode. I was four years removed from undergrad before coming to SIPA and forgot what it was like to be a student. Transitioning back to ‘school mode’ took some getting used to, but once I did it made life easier.
What advice would you give a first-year student?
Take advantage of everything SIPA, Columbia and New York City has to offer. Your two years at SIPA will go by quickly. Make use of whatever free time you have left (after studying and homework) to attend some of the various lectures held on campus. Get involved in one of the numerous student groups on campus or spend an afternoon exploring the city. This definitely helps alleviate some of the tension that builds up during year and will greatly enhance your overall graduate school experience.
Can you describe the learning environment at SIPA? For example, have you been required to do a lot of group work?
During your first year there is a lot of group work. My economics, statistics and conceptual foundations class all required me to work with a group, which was extremely helpful and aids in the learning process. Learning from and with your peers is a great mechanism for retaining knowledge. During finals in my first semester my friends and I would lock ourselves in a classroom and study for hours, bouncing questions off of each other and taking turns doing problems on the board. This method was so effective we did it during our second semester as well.
[Fall 2010]