Why did you choose LSE, and why did you choose your programme of study?
LSE is widely known by its reputation specially when searching for best universities in Social Policy arena. Back in 2012 when I started to search for an academic environment that can propose a practical but at the same time up-to-date program in the field of social policy there was no doubt that LSE was my best option. My undergraduate and post graduate education relies on Economics and Statistics and the program in Social Policy gave me just the perfect match, complement and mix experience, knowledge and the latest empirical work in social issues.
Overall, how do you look back on your LSE experience?
The lectures with well-renowned professors including the laboratories were the perfect environment to obtain the required knowledge. However, the most relevant portion of the program was the dedication to discuss new papers in the form of seminars. In the former spaces professors and alumni were able to discuss and get "hands in" a particular topic. All the knowledge and practice in lectures, laboratories and seminars were combined to produce a final essay at the end of a term.
The overall experience was wonderful since I spent all the time in the program with my wife and 6 month old daughter; therefore, combining classes, seminars, readings, essays in London was very stimulating and grateful.
Please describe your career path to date:
LSE gave me the perfect match to complement my experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). I started my career in 2008 at the United Nations as a consultant, then as Senior Monitoring Assistant (Data Base Management). After finishing my studies at LSE I applied to another post as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in a new office at sub national level in Bolivia and got the job. There are almost 3 years since I started my current post at UNICEF and graduation from LSE. Nowadays, I will move to a new post at UNICEF in Argentina in the same field of M&E.
Why did you choose your current job?
The focus of my undergraduate and postgraduate training thus far has been Social Development, Economics and Statistics. As a bachelor I wrote my thesis about social issues in particular I was interested about the possible impact on mothers' income when they leave their infants in a child centre. Since then my focus of work and studies rely on infants, children and adolescents. At UNICEF I have the opportunity to make a difference advocating to improve children's situation via the knowledge and experience acquired at LSE.
Tell us about your current job:
In my current job I deal with issues related to social policies at national and subnational levels, including advocacy for fulfilment of most excluded and vulnerable children´s rights (e.g. indigenous and those living in rural areas). The most remarkable results during this assignment are: i) effective advocacy with majors and main authorities to shed light on children’s rights based on evidence (two Situation Analysis reports) to influence on processes of planning and allocation of funds for 2016; ii) Formal establishment of the Economic and Social Observatory in the Academia and the Analysis and Knowledge Management Unit in the municipality of Sucre to strengthening skills on compelling, generating, analysing and disseminating of data; iii) Departmental Plans and Laws for children and adolescents promulgated in two departments to ensure fulfilment of children rights, iv) Networks established with academia (universities in two departments), civil society (NGO) and Cluster of Municipalities.
What advice do you have for LSE students who are looking to enter a similar profession to you?
If you think you can make a difference specially when working with vulnerable and excluded populations, have the experience but need to complement with the latest methodologies and approaches in the social policy field do not hesitate to consider LSE as the first option to become a leader and expert in the social issues field.