From volunteering at a United Nations Global Policy Dialogue on campus to interning at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Andrew Park (SFS ’24) made the most of opportunities at Georgetown to prepare for a career in international finance. Park graduates SFS in May with a major in science, technology and international affairs (STIA) with a concentration in energy and environment. 

Park hopes to apply his experience at SFS to the field of financial technology, but his journey to this goal wasn’t entirely preordained. Instead, his International Economics class, taught by Professor Rubina Verma, sparked his passion for the industry. “Initially, I had no interest in econ concepts, as they seemed obscure and confusing to me,” Park remembers. “However, my perspective shifted when I realized that economics was a powerful tool in understanding the global financial system—not just a confusing theoretical puzzle.”

Once he discovered this interest in economics, Park took every opportunity to pursue it off-campus in internships in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection and in the Global Markets division for Goldman Sachs. In his senior year, he worked at Stateside Associates, a government affairs consulting firm, as an electric vehicle analyst. 

Along with his focus on finance, the SFS allowed Park to dive deeper into environmental issues, particularly through his Centennial Lab, Problem Solving in a Destabilized Arctic, taught by Professors Jeremy Mathis and Joanna Lewis. Through the course, Park traveled to Utqiagvik, Alaska to understand how science, technology and policymaking converged in addressing climate change. “Not only did [the trip] significantly impact my worldview in understanding how indigenous tribes are affected by climate change, but it also opened my eyes to the unique challenges faced by remote communities in adapting to a rapidly changing environment,” Park explains.  

Connection On Campus and in the Classroom

Beyond course content, Park was impressed by the commitment his peers brought to classes, and their enthusiasm was just as important to his learning. “Rather than engaging in surface-level discussions, my peers consistently demonstrate a willingness to delve into complex issues, exploring them from various angles. This intellectual curiosity and depth of thought have greatly enriched my learning experience, challenging me to think more critically in whatever scenario,” he says.

Outside of the classroom, Park continued his commitment to international affairs by chairing the Walsh Exchange, an undergraduate international relations research conference, and chairing a North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) committee. Through these experiences, Park has been able to connect with his SFS peers in advancing common goals and academic interests. “I have found incredible support within this community,” he says. “Even the simple act of walking through campus and exchanging greetings with friends has contributed to a sense of belonging and support within the SFS community.”  

New Growth Opportunities

Park also found community outside of academics. Through managing the women’s basketball team and hours spent playing intramural basketball at Yates, Park was able to find balance and build relationships with his fellow Hoyas.

For Park, each day at Georgetown was different, constantly offering new options for engagement. “As I prepare to leave the Hilltop, I’ll miss the energy that ripples through the SFS and Georgetown community. From the larger-than-life speaker events to the office hours for a tough class, every day brought new growth opportunities,” he says. “I’ll miss the camaraderie of cheering on the Hoya basketball team with my closest friends, the thrill of spontaneous adventures in New York, and the craziness of Tombs after a long week.”

Laying the Groundwork

As he prepares to leave Georgetown, Park hopes to bring together the many academic interests that he has explored at Georgetown. He will be starting at Goldman Sachs in their Global Markets division this summer full-time. “I am keen to work in an environment that combines my interests in global markets, commercial banking, or the lending industry, while also allowing me to delve into how countries manage and utilize financial technology,” he explains.

But Georgetown has been more than just a place for Park to develop his career goals. Over his time on the Hilltop, he has refined his understanding of himself. “In retrospect, my years at Georgetown will likely stand out as the most magical chapter of my life, even a decade from now,” he reflects. “It was a pivotal time where I laid the groundwork for my future and embarked on a journey of self-discovery that allowed me to embrace my authentic self.”