Program Assistant Introduction: Vanita Deshpande MPA ’27

Vanita Deshpande is a second-year Master of Public Administration student at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), concentrating in Climate, Energy and Environment. Most recently, she worked at an early-stage AI startup, supporting partnerships and operations, public-sector engagement, and research on AI ethics. Before SIPA, Vanita worked across Corporate Social Responsibility, international affairs, and policy research. In India, at the Piramal Foundation, she worked with district and state government officials on public-sector capacity building and education initiatives. She later worked at the Pune International Centre, where she supported policy research, operations, and executive communications for the Asia Economic Dialogue, engaging with government officials, diplomats, and other stakeholders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Political Science, and Sociology from Christ University, Bengaluru. 

What attracted you most to Columbia University and SIPA? 

SIPA is amongst the top policy schools in the world, and for me, it came down to the curriculum. When I was researching the school, I realized that the coursework was advanced and rigorous and would help me build strong quantitative and analytical skills in addition to practical implementation of policy. SIPA’s faculty profile also attracted me to study here, and it has proven to be an extraordinary experience. 

Additionally, beyond the classroom, Columbia’s strong global alumni network and New York City itself were also huge draws. NYC, I’d known, would put me in proximity to industry leaders and policymakers, and getting the opportunity to engage with them while in school, I knew, would be extraordinary. An important consideration was also the numerous on-campus job opportunities, which I knew would help me manage my expenses on my own. Extracurricular activities are also a huge part of the Columbia experience, and I play in the badminton club, which for me has become a great way to unwind weekly and meet people outside of my program. 

What surprised you most about SIPA?

Honestly, it was the people I’d be sharing a classroom with. I always knew SIPA attracted highly talented students; in fact, some of the brightest policy minds from all corners of the world. I wasn’t, though, fully prepared for how accomplished my cohort would be, and that surprised me the most in the first few weeks of my SIPA experience. My classmates include foreign service and administrative officers, ministry heads, and representatives from different countries, military officers, civil servants, alongside people with several years of experience from the private sector, nonprofits, and startups. It’s a humbling experience and brings about different and informed perspectives into every room I walk into that no academic paper or textbook can teach. 

What further surprised me was the culture of SIPA. As I mentioned, SIPA brings together some of the brightest policy minds from all around the world, and yes, while it is competitive, the culture and environment are remarkably supportive and collaborative. Peers are kind, generous, and open. They challenge you, but they help you through tough assignments, refer you for opportunities, and go the extra mile to connect you with someone they think can help. The spirit of lifting each other surprised me tremendously and is one of my favorite things about studying at SIPA.

What experiences prepared me?

I grew up in India and was surrounded by diversity in languages, cultures, cuisines, and socio-economic backgrounds. Exposure to such diversity made me naturally open and accepting, and that made moving to the United States and a city as diverse as New York feel much more comfortable and natural. Bringing my culture with me was also one of the best ways of connecting with people. Celebrating festivals together, sharing food, and learning about different traditions of my peers in return also built friendships rooted in curiosity, acceptance, and mutual respect. 

What advice do you have for current applicants? 

I would advise applicants to come prepared to be challenged every single day, intellectually, professionally, and personally. Everyone here sees the world differently, and you’ll be constantly surrounded by people who make you question your assumptions. An important skill to build, therefore, is being as open-minded as possible, because the most learning will always come out of healthy disagreements. 

Also, be ready to work extremely hard, and be even more ready to stretch your social battery. There will be days between classes, jobs, events, networking, and projects that’ll exhaust you, but then you’ll just wake up and do it all over again the next day. Most of all, be prepared to have a really good time because the friendships, connections, conversations, and experiences you’ll have here will make all the hard work worth it.