Admissions Blog

Program Assistant Introduction: Ricardo Mondolfi Salmen, MIA '23

By Ricardo Mondolfi '23
Posted Oct 07 2022

Note from Admissions: We're excited to welcome our new group of program assistants (PAs) working with us here in the SIPA Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. They’ll specifically be helping you through the application and decision process over the next few months through answering your emails, calls, and writing relevant blog posts to help you during this admission process. You can learn more about assistantships and what PAs do here. So far, you've met PA Jules ,PA Shally, and PA Clara and we are excited to continue to introduce our PAs!

Image
RicardoMondolfiSalmen

Ricardo Mondolfi is a second-year Master of International Affairs (MIA) candidate at Columbia University concentrating in Energy & Environment (EE) with a specialization in Technology, Media, and Communications (TMaC). Ricardo is from Caracas, Venezuela, and graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor of science in International Politics. During his time in Washington, D.C., Ricardo interned in the U.S. Senate, a think tank, and a government affairs consulting firm. 

What characteristics attracted you to SIPA and Columbia University?

There is so much to love about being a student at SIPA, but the two deciding factors for me were location and course of study. I knew I wanted to be in New York for the next chapter of my personal and professional life, and I am happy to say my time in the city has been amazing so far. In terms of academics, I found SIPA and Columbia’s work around energy and environmental policy, sustainable finance, and the impact of technology and society to be absolutely cutting edge and fairly unique in relation to peer institutions.

What experiences do you believe prepared you to succeed at SIPA?

Given the remarkable global diversity of SIPA’s student population, my experience growing up overseas (as an international student myself) has made me appreciate the different cultures and worldviews I have encountered inside and outside of the classroom. Also, given the rigor and depth of SIPA’s curriculum, the robust academic background I brought from my undergraduate studies was the single most important factor that allowed me to land on my feet.

Did you have significant quantitative experience when you applied to SIPA?

I took a four-course Economics sequence as part of the core curriculum at my undergraduate institution as well as a course in quantitative analysis for policy. In all honesty, I was never near the top of those classes nor did I retain much of the material by the time grad school applications came around. The summer before I applied, I took two economics courses online which, along with studying for the GRE, served as an excellent refresher. Once at SIPA, I found the courses to be manageable and there were plenty of resources available for additional assistance, so I was happy with my results!

Do you feel like you have made the acquaintance of some of the faculty members?

Indeed, and I would say the faculty are one of SIPA’s crown jewels. During my first semester, I was in a class with an excellent professor and we bonded early on after visiting her office hours. I enjoyed her teaching so much that I signed up for her other class the following semester, despite it not being part of my concentration or specialization (I regret nothing). I would add that faculty often attend (or host!) academic or social events outside of class, which is a great way of getting to know them and adds a lot of value to your time at SIPA.

SIPA hosts a variety of events for students to attend. Are there any interesting presentations you have attended that you would like to highlight?

The flagship program of high-profile speakers at Columbia is the World Leaders Forum, which brings heads of state, government, and other major organizations to the Columbia campus each year. At SIPA, I attended two lectures this year by former president of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos - who also served as SIPA’s George W. Ball Adjunct Professor in Spring 2022 - where I was able to ask questions and have a brief conversation with a distinguished world leader. 

What kind of work do you hope to do when you graduate?

After graduation, I will be working on a business strategy team at a large asset management firm. I had a greatly enriching experience interning with them this past summer, where I got to work with major clients who were eager to manage geopolitical risk and prepare for the energy transition. I felt I had a lot to learn but also a lot to contribute given some of my work at SIPA, which was an intellectually satisfying combination that has made me look forward to getting to work after graduation!