Studying For An MPA at an Ivy League University

The following is from an email interview that I had with Shashank Sreedharan, currently pursuing the MPA program at The Watson Institute, Brown University (unedited)

1. Please introduce yourself and throw light on your educational background.

My name is Shashank Sreedharan. I was born in Chennai but grew up in various places in west and south India. I spent the major chunk of my formative years in Vadodara, Gujarat. 

I got my undergraduate degree in Economics and International Relations from the School of Liberal Studies, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University. I am now at Brown University, pursuing a Master of Public Affairs.

2. What prompted you to apply for an MPA program at The Watson Institute?

My specific interests - both academic and professional - lie in the intersection of Economics and IR. I find that I like exploring development issues in emerging markets, state building and reconciliation in post-conflict environments and using evidence-based, data-driven policy to inform development efforts. 

As I was looking to apply to universities in the US for graduate study, I was exploring Economics programs when I stumbled across the Brown MPA. It is the perfect blend of Economics, IR & Public Policy and seemed tailor-made to my interests. Furthermore, it is the only program of its kind: 1 year, with components of exposure and work experience worked into the program.

3. Tell us about the MPA program at The Watson Institute? 

The MPA or the Master of Public Affairs is a new one-year program at the Watson Institute, Brown University. A revamped version of Brown's previous 2 year MPP (Public Policy) program, the MPA is directed at producing intelligent policy professionals ready to enter the workforce. In my opinion, this sets the Brown MPA apart since other equivalent 2 year programs often serve as a stepping stone to a PhD program. While the 1 year MPA @ Brown can also serve as pre-PhD degree, it is ideal for both students straight out of undergrad looking to develop skills that can help them land dream jobs in the policy space and for mid-career professionals looking to go back to school to develop/sharpen skills, get a quality degree from one of the world's best universities and not stay out of the workforce for too long. The MPA has elements of Economics, IR, data-driven elements such as policy-oriented statistical training and public policy. 

The MPA at Brown offers specialized tracks in Data-Driven Policy, Comparative & Global Policy, Policy Analysis or Social Change & Advocacy Policy. Furthermore, it offers the 'Design Your Own' option. Like the name suggests, you can choose to specialize in literally any policy domain you are interested in and will be guided by one of Watson's illustrious faculty, whose combined experience and expertise spans virtually every domain of policy.

4. Please tell us about your recent immersion trip to South Korea, your experience of visiting the North and South Korean border area.

I was recently in South Korea for a Policy Immersion Trip, exploring Defense Policy, Economic & Financial Growth Policy for industrialized nations, Education Policy and Public Governance in the South Korean context. One of the highlights was the visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) aka the South-North Korean border

These visits do a far better job of driving home aspects of a historical event and its implications than even the best texts can. The south Koreans have painstakingly captured not just their perspective but that of their neighbors on the other side of the DMZ and the roles of other involved states such as the United States, the former Soviet Union, China, Japan etc. As an IR student, it was a remarkable experience to see up close and personal and hear of the events and the way they unfolded in 1950-53. We debated extensively the role of the Korean War in shaping South Korean foreign policy, defense policy and economic strategy ever since and the dynamics of Seoul's relationship with Pyongyang. 

5. What would you advise to future applicants?

1) Concentrate and do well in academics. It is certainly not everything, but it is something. More importantly, doing well is more important in terms of building your skills rather than grades. 

2) Plan your GRE & TOEFL prep well and get a good score

3) Get some research experience in your undergrad. Work with your favourite professor, learn your way around basics of research (literature review etc.)

4) Read extensively - on the field you like and related fields. Policy is about understanding an ecosystem more than a specific issue.

5) I highly recommend working for 2 years after undergrad. It is not only immensely useful in applications but will give you better perspective in your program since you know - and can therefore think - of challenges faced in organizations, etc.

6. Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?

 I see myself working with an international/regional organization such as the UN, the World Bank, ADB among others or with an organization working in the space of data-driven policy such as JPAL. 

7. What are the career prospects after an MPA?

Career prospects after an MPA are innumerable: broadly, they include jobs in the government, with private sector firms such as consulting firms, think tanks, NGOs, not-for-profit organizations, advocacy groups, Policy Communication and PR firms, and academia. Domains include any policy space you develop an expertise in -  education, health, international security, economic, cybersecurity, data-driven etc.

8. What are your hobbies? Please tell us about a book that has left an impact on you?

My hobbies include playing the guitar, singing, exploring music, watching football, going on long walks, reading. 

Reading has been something I have been addicted to since I was 5. There are scores of books that have impacted me, some more so than others. 

It's hard to single out a book that has impacted me more than others. Let me share what I am currently reading and last read.

I just finished a book called 'A History of the World in Twelve Maps' by Jerry Brotton. A fascinating read, taking readers from Ptolemy to Google Earth. Not only does it, as the name suggests, take us through a history of the world through the lens of cartography but also makes you realize how maps, not unlike history itself, borrow from the notions and prejudices of the map-maker.

I am currently reading the new illustrated copy of Walden by Henry David Thoreau, celebrating the bicentennial of Thoreau's birthday.

9. Could you elaborate about your conference experiences?

The International Economic Congress 2015 in Berlin was a conference I particularly enjoyed, owing to the diversity of the attendees, the breadth of the topics of discourse and a chance to learn things I hadn't even heard of. The Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations Asia Conference 2013 was yet another memorable one, for it was the first and it was brilliant

Attending these select few conferences as an undergrad was without doubt one of the most enriching experiences of my 4 years in college. Conferences bring with them a chance to hear from experts, meet like-minded people from similar and vastly different backgrounds, provide opportunities for brilliant conversations, opportunities to share one's own work and insight (and receive feedback), and arguably the most important, a chance to travel and explore.

Brain Drain

I remember writing essays on 'Brain Drain' as a child while at school. Funnily, 90% of that class, is now abroad, chasing their dreams. The question back then, was how much damage would brain drain cause to the Indian economy, that was within the first decade after the Government liberalised the Indian economy.

The dictionary meaning of Brain Drain is, "the emigration of highly trained or qualified people from a particular country"

Many Indians have been migrating to different parts of the world over the years. Taken as slaves/workers to countries like Fiji, Sri Lanka, Malayasia, South Africa, etc., many of their descendants are now in high positions in those countries and also run successful business. While their hardwork and guile took them places, quite literally, many of these migrants, never lost touch with their mother land. Many Heads of State of Indian origin, have reiterated their firm commitment to fostering ties with India. These relations have helped India earn much needed foreign exchange.

The Information Technology industry picked up in the 90's and by now India has stamped its presence in the sector, so much so, that there are many Indians working in the sector in the USA. The story of the rise of the Silicon Valley is incomplete without this narrative. Many Indian Americans now hold positions of power in the US.

Having seen economic growth through the remittances sent to India by the migrants, India is now able to pull its weight in international forums. However, the question is, have we lost our talents to other countries? There has been a lot of reportage on the number of patent applications filed and received by Indian Americans. Patents truly recognise the inventor and the country of origin. Most people, peg that American patent laws are inventor friendly, hence the exceedingly large number of applications that the country churns out. The question on my mind is considering that many Indians file for patents, has India lost out on the services of these talents?

This question led me to meet Mr.Badri Seshadri. Badri, is a first generation entrepreneur, born to a school teacher in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Having completed his schooling in Tamil Medium, he went on to complete a Bachelor's in Engineering from the hallowed precincts of the IIT, Madras. From there, he moved to Cornell University to work on his doctorate, upon completion of which he decided to return to India. While at Cornell,h e was working on a cricket blog with a couple of other students from across the world which was led by Dr.Simon King, a British researcher who was then associated with the University of Minnesota. The blog, cricinfo.com, has now revolutionised the cricket world. Badri, upon his return to India, was a part of the India operations until 2004. He felt that he needed newer challenges and set out out to enter the world of vernacular publishing, especially Tamil by launching New Horizon Publishers (Kizhakku Pathippagam in Tamil). Considering his background,I decided to interview and speak at length with him about 'brain drain'

Badri, at the very outset mentions that the concept of Brain Drain is redundant. He then goes on to trace the paths taken by his contemporaries, and we shall use them as the base generation for this post. The year in which he graduated was the year when the then PM of India, Narasimha Rao and his able Finance Minister, Manmohan Singh set out to open the economy after the infamous Balance of Payments controversy that India was facing. The IT revolution that India was witness to also led to many Indians to the US, both for higher education as well as for work. The first decade saw a surge in the number of engineers seeking to work in the US and the tide has not been stemmed. Higher education, argued as the best in the world is characterised by high quality research and scholarships, which has produced exceptional graduates.

From the Indian standpoint, the remittances sent from abroad has been a catalyst for industrial growth and has contributed to the growth of the start up culture in India. Badri points out that Indians shouldn't worry about the patents filed by Indian Americans in US, since if these talented scientists worked in India, they wouldn't have been able to produce the same amount of patent applications. He seeks a correlation between self interest and national interest by drawing an interesting analogy. He says that by seeking to serve their self interest's, Indians move abroad, and send money home for varied purposes, and this money is channelised as investments in various forms. Since, some amount of the money does flow back into the Indian economy, we are in a position to better our country's prospects. This self interest becomes a shared interest, when the money is invested and hence there is a national interest.

He then goes on to add that India must now take one step forward and introduce a scholarship to encourage the talented students in India to pursue higher education in countries hitherto unexplored i.e China, Brazil, South Africa etc. His reasoning is that by studying/working in newer countries, India's softpower increases and it also allows for learning from these countries. He is also in favour of opening FDI in Higher Education in India.

'Brain drain' as a concept has evolved thanks to the flattening of the world through modern technology.

Women's Rugby In India

Most readers would perhaps know about Men's Rugby in India and would have even heard about Rahul Bose, the actor who has represented India in the sport. However, this post is on women's rugby in India. I interviewed Ms.Annapurna Bothate, who represented India in the Asian Games, 2010 and also in the Asia Rugby Women's 7s Tournament at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The following interview is based on an email interview with her,

Excerpts from the interview

  How did you start playing Rugby?

Since school days I have been a sportswoman. I represented my school in various district meets of kabaddi and handball. Later in college I shifted to weightlifting since the clubs of kabaddi  and handball were very far from my place.  And to simultaneously continue with the junior college it was getting difficult. Thats when I told my dad to take me to a weightlifting coach he knows so that I keep myself busy and just not play in the lanes! With weightlifting happening to me, i represented the 48kg weightlifting category for the Pune district. Here, all thanks to my parents  genetics. My dad was a wrestler and a bodybuilder and my mum a kabaddi player. Coming to Rugby, I was an avid newspaper reader during my  junior college days. This habit helped me to find out that, yes, Rugby is played in India and yes even Pune has a Rugby team which trains at the Pune university grounds. I was curious. I knew a bit about the sport and wanted to know more. But morning college didn’t allow me to go and ask about the Rugby scene.   But as fate would have it,  co-incidentally I had my junior college physical examination at the Pune University ground and that’s where I spotted a bunch of boys and girls spinning the ball around, making runs, dashing into the tackling pads.  Within no time I spoke to the coach and was part of the team immediately. The coach was very welcoming .

2.      Hows Rugby in India for women?

Well if you are to ask me about the Pune Rugby womens team, it is the best in India skills and technique wise. I won’t boast about it but will tell you the reality. Thanks to our coaches, Surhud Khare and Swapneel Khare.

Rugby in India is still developing. It needs to be popularized by making it commercial. Something like the Pro Kabaddi League.  It’s a much more contact sport than Kabaddi and a complete thriller watching the the tackles and the runs.

3.      What else do you do apart from Rugby?

I am a certified personal trainer. I work  with the MultiFit gym,Pune.  I handle clients who want to rehab after an injury like a knee fracture, spine/ lumbar strengthening exercises etc.  My clients include members who want to lose fat and / or gain muscle. I am a Bachelor of Commerce from the Symbiosis institute, Pune.

4.      What are the problems for Rugby in India?

1.      It needs  to be more popularized. This can be done by including Rugby in the school games. Where the kids can participate and carry on during their college time also and maybe get a chance to play for the India squad.

2.      Since people are not aware of Rugby in India, we face problems like sponsorships.

3.      The players  get motivated to play if they have nothing to lose and life is secured at the end. By this I mean, we need government job reservations for players who win a medal even at the national games. There is no reservation as such like the sportspersons of cricket, athletics etc get.

5.      What is the role played by your family?

My family played a major role by always supporting me in the things that I want to do. They never feared that it is a huge contact sport and their daughter should stay away from it. My dad has played a major  role by fearlessly sending me  to kabaddi etc..,thats where I took it him and got in touch with Rugby.

6.      How is the patronage and promotion of Rugby in India?

Initially when I started playing in 2010, the Sports Authority of India backed the game. But that was for the Asian games. After that we have been playing only one international tournament yearly that is the Asian championship sponsored by the World Rugby.  Until last month we had no sponsors but Societe Generale has taken the initiative recently.

2. To promote the game it must be taken to the roots. i.e. at the school level where the PE teachers can teach the kids.  Various sports clubs coaches need to be aware of the fundamentals of Rugby. Colleges must include the sport in the college meets so that the youth takes up the sport. And it is a highly character building sport. It teaches you a hell lot of camaraderie, team-spirit, never giving up attitude even if you get tackled n number of times. And RESPECT to the opponents as well as the Referee unlike football.

To promote: As I mentioned before it needs to get more commercial so that the Association is sponsored as well as the players. Eg., PKL, Indian Super league, badminton league in india, IPL etc..

7.      What are your future plans?

I have always been passionate to join the Indian Army from class 5.  I am a recommended Indian army officer for the 39 course June 2016. But again as fate would have it, I was merit out. So it is my dream to join the Indian army and play for the services team and be in the olive green uniform.

If that doesn’t happen, my backup would be to take the US scholarship to enhance my skills and become the Rugby Development Officer or a coach in India / abroad wherever I get a chance..

8.      What is your message to sportspersons in General?

Get to know the sport in detail. If you know the laws of the game thoroughly, you win the game there itself. Also simultaneously secure yourself by knowing if the sport has a government job reservation. Because I kept thinking that and I had nothing in hand. Motivational quote would be, ‘work hard. Nothing in life comes easy’ eat clean and train like a beast.

Careers In International Affairs

Source: http://www.defseminar.lk/Seminar/speakerlist2015.php

Dr. W. Lawrence S. Prabhakar, M.A (Madras Christian College), Ph.D. (University of Madras) is an Associate Professor of Strategic Studies and International Relations in the department of Political Science at Madras Christian College, India and Adjunct Research Fellow, S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Formerly Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.^[1]

Dr. Prabhakar specializes in academic and policy research on the following areas: Nuclear Missile issues in Southern Asia; on Maritime Security issues in the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific Region and on research in India-United States Strategic Relations; Grand Strategy of India and Grand Strategy of China. His primary interest on Nuclear weapons have featured in his projects with Henry Stimson Center, Washington DC USA; Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC USA and with the Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques, Paris, France.

The following are the excerpts from a conversation with him in cozy environs of the Madras Christian College, Chennai.

He speaks about five aspects of a career in International relations/development, so that one can understand the approaches before delving into careers in it. He calls it the “quintessence of international relations being a multidisciplinary subject”. And lists them as Socio political, Cultural, Economic, Commercial and Security/Strategic Dimensions. The boundaries between national and international is increasingly blurred in today’s times.  Calling it a global village, he says that there is a growing demand for a human development approach, with nations competing with each other in terms of the Human Development Index.

While dwelling on the cultural civilizational perspective, he lists India, China, Japan and Korea (South and North) as civilizational states and that these countries can only seen from this prism. Civilizational states are different from nation states in the sense that they have a long and contiguous history dating back to 2 millenia and more. India, though a civilizational state, is a post colonial regime, especially the governance structure. China as a nation state is difficult to understand since its governance structure is based on the Communist approach with almost no information available on it.

The territorial, social and economic problems have compounded since the advent of the nation states and formal groupings and can be traced to 1945, when the United Nations have started. Though there are formal dialogue forums for resolving these key issues. He refers to these as state making projects. The groupings/agreements like NAFTA, EU and BRICS seem to have only aided some of the countries to gang up on another. UK’s exit from the European Union has only made it that much more complex on assessing these groupings/agreements.

Countries today are combating issues like Climate change, rising sea levels, terrorism, cyber security, marine security and food security together. The groupings/agreements do aid in the same and this has led to Transnationalism, as an approach to combat the common enemies of humanity. The Millenium Development Goals talk about stakeholdership, accountability and leadership, which are common points of bringing in a consensus to beal global challenges

Moving on, when asked to highlight on the debates between HDI and GDP, he speaks of how a growth perspective does not offer development. It ignores the qualitative growth of a human being, which includes education, health and social welfare.  That the quest for growth might lead to long term damages.

International relations today is seeing a scramble for resources, territory, access and power status. Countries are only looking for growth. Therefore, it is true that development is skewed out of proportions.

When asked to comment about the recent Indo-Pak standoffs, he mentions that hype and rhetoric have no place in International relations and that only dialogues can take countries forward and that these steps must be taken together.

On a career in International affairs, he lists the following as viable career options:

Policy research

International Civil Services

Risk Analysis for MNCs

Area studies

Media

Humanitarian social agencies

It was a sheer delight to listen to this passionate academic talk about International Affairs, and how its multi disciplinary approach makes it a brilliant career option. I thank him, for sparing his valuable time for this interview.