Undergraduate Alumni Spotlight: Elen Costigan
Elen Costigan received her BA/BS in Economics, Political Science, and Spanish Literature from Ohio State in 2007 and recently finished her Doctorate in Public Health from Columbia University, where she is currently a Research Advisor and Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Policy.
- Why did you choose to study economics at Ohio State?
I was a triple major at OSU – economics, political science, and Spanish literature. I chose economics because it was a way to understand some important aspects of how the world works and how to have an impact in areas that were taking shape as the career I wanted to pursue. I wanted to leverage these skills towards community service and promoting social wellbeing. Through my degree I learned transferable skills for many areas, analytical thinking, and problem solving.
- What has been your career path following your graduation from Ohio State?
During my last year as an undergraduate student, I worked for a micro-finance non-profit organization in Honduras. Over that time, I volunteered with a program for children with HIV, and soon after graduating I took a role with that organization before being asked to direct the program for 2 years. While in Honduras, I met people working for Doctors Without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), who encouraged me to apply for MSF. This later led to 15 years of service to MSF working in emergency humanitarian response in over a dozen countries, especially in East and West Africa and Latin America–mainly in emergency response situations and leadership development programs. I have also worked with the United Nations and with grassroots nonprofit organizations in Central America. Along the way, I have worked in refugee camps, youth with HIV, and in mental health programs. I completed dual Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees from the London School of Economics and Columbia University, and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from Harvard University. Recently I completed a doctoral program in public health at Columbia University and am currently teaching there.
- What did you feel least prepared for when you began your first job post-graduation?
Early on I was placed in positions where I had to manage people, including large teams handling stressful situations. Although I am incredibly grateful for the incredible learning opportunities and preparation I received from OSU, I would have appreciated more leadership programs that teach self-reflection and important soft skills related to working with diverse teams. I was able to learn on the job, and I’m now passionate about teaching students these important skills as they enter the work force.
- In your current position, what do you do on a day-to-day basis?
As a professor at Columbia, it varies from day to day, but much of it right now is teaching students about public health and emergency humanitarian response situations, including responding to situations such as natural disasters or epidemics. In my current role, I primarily work with teams of graduate students helping them learn practical skills and tools conducting projects with organizations such as MSF and International Crisis Group. It’s a win-win-win…the students learn by doing hands-on impactful work, partner organizations receive quality outputs, and I continuously learn from a vibrant community of emerging leaders along the way.
I also do research on how to fill gaps in humanitarian response, and am working to develop a network of universities collaborating to do work in this area.
- How has the economics you studied at Ohio State helped you in your career?
I would say it helped my critical thinking skills and also provided me with important perspectives on how economic considerations interact with other aspects of society. It has complemented my primary expertise in epidemiology and public policy, to help create response systems that can work in the real world.
- What is the most challenging work experience you've encountered so far?
Along with my initial experiences in learning how to manage people and teams in stressful environments, I have encountered situations and contexts that were fraught with political instability or violence, making for some intense working conditions. Although it can be difficult working in challenging emergency situations, it is also incredibly life-affirming to witness the resilience of communities navigating hardships. Working at the cusp of life is a constant reminder of what’s important.
- What is your next biggest career goal?
Since I completed my doctoral degree just over a year ago, I hope to continue my academic career working with students and conducting impactful research. As someone who has worked in both emergency response and academia, I hope to bridge research and practice to promote community wellbeing. While I plan to stay in the academic arena, I’m currently working to launch a non-profit organization focused on improving emergency humanitarian response in the Americas through a network of partners. After years of serving on the board of directors of Doctors Without Borders, and having launched creative partnerships while pursuing my doctorate, I have a vision of how to lead participatory research in the humanitarian sector. Additionally, now that I have moved back to Ohio to be closer to family, I would love to pursue a postdoctoral degree at OSU and collaborate with the rich academic community here, and others in our great state, while pursuing these goals in an innovative manner.
- Do you have any regrets from your time at OSU?
I’m grateful that as an undergrad I was able to take advantage of the vast opportunities offered at OSU. I have very few regrets, only perhaps that I didn’t take more electives to take advantage of everything that Ohio State has to offer. Looking back, I would have appreciated the opportunity to learn more soft leadership skills before I started working. Later in life, I learned the benefit of leadership programs and reflection, and now I’m committed to developing such skills with the students I work with. On the fun side, I wish I could have taken skydiving!
- Do you have any parting thoughts and/or advice for current economics students?
While you are in school, be sure to take advantage of the incredible expertise of your professors. Seek them out whenever you can, don’t be shy - ask questions, be curious, take risks. At a large university like Ohio State, there is so much to embrace, so explore all that it has to offer and don’t let yourself get lost in the shuffle. Challenge yourself and others.