From pre-med to ESG: It’s never too late to switch careers
William Hsu graduated from Columbia University’s MPA program in Environmental Science and Policy in 2019.
from Taiwan and Hong Kong, William Xu – Graduated from Columbia University Environmental Science and Policy MPA Program (MPA-ESP) 2019 – Currently living in New York City and working at Barclays Corporate and Investment Banking.
He began his academic career with a pre-med biology course. He then uses the MPA-ESP course to explore the intersection of science and practical implementation. Since graduating, William has spent the past four years pursuing different majors in environmental fields ranging from public policy and energy efficiency to investment risk. His goal is to bring together different fields to work together towards an equitable and green future.
The former student sat down with us to answer a few questions. William is also open to conversations with prospective and current students.
What is your current job? Please describe what your responsibilities are.
I am currently an ESG Analyst at Barclays Corporate and Investment Banking. I research and publish investor-focused analysis of material risks and opportunities related to environmental, social and governance factors. My role is very flexible allowing me to evaluate different asset classes, sectors and project types.
Please briefly describe your previous work experience and educational background.
After graduating in 2019, I became an associate at the New York Energy Efficiency Partnership, a nonprofit that provides financial products to businesses and buildings looking to improve energy efficiency or implement clean energy. I moved to CDP [a nonprofit that that helps companies and cities disclose their environmental impact] start as a manager accelerator programhelping to bridge public and private infrastructure interests before taking on my current role at Barclays.
What motivated you to earn a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University?
The MPA-ESP program provided me with the opportunity to make a career change, initially from biosciences and public policy, into a role more focused on capital mobility. I majored in biology and biological anthropology and worked as a field research assistant in the Amazon rainforest. My time there prompted me to think further about how human consumption, development and behavior affect the environment.
I then pursued a master’s degree in environmental social science at Arizona State University with an emphasis on urban planning. This led me to join the Department of City Planning in Los Angeles, working on affordable housing policy. I chose to pursue a second master’s degree at Columbia University to switch to Financial Markets and the Environment.
What skills did you develop through the program? How did this translate to your career?
In terms of skills, the biggest takeaway from the core curriculum is the teamwork skills required for collaborative research groups. I feel like the collaborative element in the program helped us understand how to work in teams with different backgrounds.
In addition, my studies in the financial modeling elective helped me transition into finance, where I applied the same analytical skills in my day-to-day work.
Where would you like to see your career take you?
Despite some career changes, my passion for the environment remains the same. I want to continue exploring the flexibility my current role offers to address climate change holistically. Continuing on my current trajectory, I hope to become a thought leader for investors, influence capital flows, and support greater and more effective positive impact on the environment and people.
What advice would you give current students?
I would advise anyone to continue to be curious and flexible. Asking questions is important; there really is no such thing as a stupid question, especially if you’re talking to other people from different backgrounds. It will be helpful to take advantage of the networking opportunities offered by Columbia’s extensive network. Also, with international students, we must be flexible in our choices, be it work or geography, to maximize our opportunities given the additional barriers we must overcome.
