Student Spotlight: Christine Ow
After graduating from the Environmental Science and Policy program in May, Ow will work at the intersection of water and technology.
Congratulations Current student at Columbia University MPA Environmental Science and Policy ProgramOriginally from Singapore, she graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a BA in Political Science and minors in Global Studies, Korea, and Environmental Systems and Society. Upon graduating from the ESP program this May, Christine will join Bluefield Research in Boston as a consultant at the intersection of water and technology.
What made you choose ESP?
I just graduated from undergrad, and as an international student, there are many factors when you enter your senior year. Do I get a job or go to grad school? I was a little intimidated to enter the job market, but more importantly, I knew I wanted to work in environmental protection. I wanted to explore the intersection of development and water. I don’t feel like my undergrad gave me enough skills, experience or knowledge to enter the industry specifically.
With this in mind, I started looking for programs and Columbia University.Sipa [Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs] specifically has been my first choice since I know it’s known for development, but I don’t want to commit to a two-year program. I found the ESP program, a one-year program, and talked to Stephanie, the assistant director at the time. Based on my interests, it sounded like a project that would really benefit me, she said. I applied to Columbia and haven’t looked back, it’s been a fun year so far.
What were some highlights of your experience with the program?
It was a year full of highlights. It was so cool to move to New York City and experience all that the city had to offer. The field trips we did over the summer were really fun. I hadn’t been on a field trip since middle school, so it was a surreal experience. And, it’s very informative, and I really like that we can actually see what we’ve learned in the field, especially when we look at urban ecology and how cities can adapt to climate change.When it comes to classes, water is a special interest of mine, and very fortunately, Columbia University does have a water center and Professor Water.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class so far is my water governance class. The reason I love it is because it’s my first course dedicated to water. It means getting really deep into the system, what is difficult when it comes to water management. The professor did an excellent job of organizing the big topics we had to talk about, as water is a very complex issue. Taking this class made me realize it’s a lot more complicated. It also reaffirmed my love for the subject and my desire to enter the industry.
Another class I really enjoyed was my Data Analysis and Visualization class because of how challenging it was. I feel like when I came to grad school, my mindset was that I wanted to push my boundaries and learn new things. I know it’s really important for me to understand what coding is for my personal growth.It was a good introduction, it made me more aware of what these functions are, and to be honest, it also made me a bit curious about future studies [more] at a slower pace.
What are your big picture interests?
My interest is water. As far as the environment is concerned, this is a very niche field. I was the only one of the 52 of us who clearly had water as a primary focus. The reason is because one, I don’t think it gets enough attention, and two, I grew up in a country that lacks water. I’m from Singapore – it’s an island country so we don’t have fresh water. We are a very small country with no natural fresh water resources of our own. So, since I was a child, I have kept water scarcity and the potential crisis that it can bring in my mind. Singapore is very developed and our water resources are very safe, but the appreciation for water is something I have grown up with. As I explore my position in the development field, I find that people are not talking about how water is the basis for all forms of development.This is an important conversation because there are billions of people in the world no waterThe fact that many of these people are in the United States is a shock to a lot of people. For Flint, Jackson, most recently East Palestine, and Philadelphia, water is an important area that isn’t talked about enough. I’ve made it my personal mission to break into it.
In pursuit of this goal, I am currently working as a graduate research assistant at the Columbia Water Center, where my research focuses specifically on Indigenous water access. I’m building a database that will allow researchers to get a more complete picture of which communities have access to water, which don’t, and more importantly, why they don’t. I’ve been working on this for a few months and it’s been a challenge because of the lack of information and everything is very scattered, but it’s also been very rewarding and I’m trying to work with the Columbia Water Center to see where this research goes in the future.
How do you see your future? What are your immediate plans after the program ends?
I’m excited to share that I recently signed a job offer with a research services and consulting firm in Boston called Bluefield Research. They do research and consult for the water industry! To be honest, I didn’t think I would go down the private sector path. I didn’t expect to be a consultant or research analyst in the private sector. I always thought I’d go to a nonprofit – I was aiming for EDF or WRI, but the opportunity arose when I was applying for jobs and I really like the company. I also think it’s also important to align with what the private sector is doing because water utilities in particular are very private and many of the solutions to the water problems we face can come from the private sector. This is what I’m looking forward to in the near future.I will start in the summer and work exclusively on digital water, it’s like the intersection of cybersecurity and water technology. This is another new area I’m excited to explore.
While in the future, I know life will take its course, things will change, and my ambitions may change, but right now my big goal is to end up working in water-centred development for the United Nations, and possibly pursue a Ph.D. somewhere along the way . But for now, I’m looking forward to successfully completing the program and settling down in Boston!
What do you want people to remember about the climate change crisis?
Climate change is happening, and the environment is getting more and more attention, and that’s good. However, it’s important for us to think about the environment as a fundamentally cross-cutting thing – a challenge we need to tackle in a number of ways. It will be impossible for us to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow if we continue to work in silos. I represent a very niche corner of the environmental sector that is finally opening up and involving ourselves in more conversations about climate. My call to action to any member of the Colombian community is this: When you think about the environment, don’t just think about energy, sustainability, etc. – also try to see where the intersections are. Build relationships with people who work in these other fields so that there is a collective movement and everyone is not trying to use different methods to fight for the same goal. If we can pull together and work as a collective machine, it will be stronger than our individual efforts.
Saj McBurrows is an intern in MPA’s Environmental Science and Policy Program.
Students in the MPA Environmental Science and Policy program take a one-year, 54-credit course offered by Columbia University School of International and Public Affairsand climate school.
Since its inception in 2002, MPA has Environmental Science and Policy The program provides students with practical experience and analytical and decision-making tools to implement effective environmental and sustainable management policies. The program’s 1,112 graduates have advanced to national and international jobs in environmental policy, working in government, the private and nonprofit sectors. Their work addresses issues of sustainability, resource use and global change, with focus areas on air, water, climate, energy efficiency, food, agriculture, transport and waste management. They serve as consultants, advisors, program managers, program directors, policy analysts, teachers, researchers, and environmental scientists and engineers.
