“At 19, I received a scholarship to live and study abroad for the first time in Baku, Azerbaijan. The experience reshaped my understanding of cross-cultural exchange and sparked my interest in economic development, especially as I observed stark regional inequalities outside the capital. After graduating from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities during the pandemic, I began my career in public service as a contact tracer for my county. I went on to teach English at a university in Türkiye and later worked in international financial services before transitioning to economic policy. At the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of International Affairs, I focused on macroeconomic policy and worked closely with counterparts across Europe on issues ranging from IMF programs to G7 coordination, including support for Ukraine and responses to industrial overcapacity. It was both gratifying and humbling to see my analysis and writing shape real policy decisions and appear in the Treasury Secretary’s remarks, and it underscored the responsibility that comes with this work. Before starting at @Princeton, I spent the summer working on a trail crew in Dilijan, Armenia, with the Trails for Change NGO. The project focused on community-driven conservation and supporting ecotourism in Armenia, with the goal of building a 3,000-kilometer hiking trail through the Caucasus. It was rewarding to make a different kind of impact, one that was more immediate and tangible, and it reinforced my belief that policymakers should stay connected to what’s happening on the ground. I’m now pursuing an MPA at @PrincetonSPIA focusing on international development, and I’ve really valued the opportunity to explore other policy areas while learning from my incredible peers with diverse experiences across policy and practice. I continue to be an advocate for non-linear career paths. If you’re passionate about a particular issue or care about your community or the world, there’s a place for you in public service.”
Top photo: Courtesy of Clara Bartnik, MPA ’27