Programme: MPA Public and Economic Policy
What were you doing before you joined the MPA programme at LSE?
Before joining the LSE MPA programme, I worked in financial services for BDO LLP in London and New York. I knew I didn’t want to stay in financial services so I waited until I qualified and received my ACA before looking at Masters programmes. I was living in New York and had always been interested in urban policy and economics and became increasingly interested in undertaking an MPA programme after looking at the ones offered by Harvard and Columbia.
Why did you choose to join the LSE’s MPA programme?
I decided to return to my hometown and felt that the LSE’s programme was the most suited to my needs – I liked the academic focus of the programme and the location in the centre of London.
How has the LSE MPA programme influenced your career?
The MPA has totally changed my career! Prior to starting I had very little idea about what I wanted to do afterwards apart from some intellectual interest in urban policy. The MPA opened up a new world to me both in terms of brilliant fellow students and job opportunities. After doing my Capstone project with the Urban Age/LSE Cities in Mumbai I knew that I wanted to work in urban economic policy and I was able to pursue that career with much more focus. I now work at Arup in their City Economics team and work on a wide range of urban development projects both in the UK and internationally. I love my job and have the MPA to thank for opening up my world!
What was your favourite thing about your time on the MPA programme at LSE?
Without a doubt, the people. This includes my fellow students as well as the teaching staff. We had an amazing year of people from all over the world and it was great to learn from each other.