Andrew Magie is a research intern at the United States Studies Centre.

What is your educational background?

I am a junior at The George Washington University (GW) pursuing a degree in Science with a major in Sustainable Energy Economics and a minor in Music. My major is a Special Interdisciplinary Major specifically designed to prepare me for a career in energy policy, bridging the academic gap between sustainability, energy economics, environmental policy, public policy and engineering. My interest in designing this degree has come from a fascination with how politics and public policy affect society and a strong ethical motivation to protect the environment for our posterity. As for my music minor, I love performing on the oboe in orchestra and piano in musical theater and continuing my studies of music theory.

What have you been working on in your time here at the USSC?

When I first arrived at USSC, I wrote a literature review for a comparison between Australian and American energy policy in an attempt to identify how Australia can alter its energy policy to lower the increasing electricity prices in the east. Recently, I have been researching the potential for the United States and Friends of the Lower Mekong to continue to support the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) states' desire for energy security from China. My personal project for the 45th has been to consider the potential for nuclear power in the carbon-neutral future of electricity generation in Australia. All of these projects have complemented my units at the University of Sydney and my studies at GW. My research into GMS/US relations has challenged my view of global energy security, as I have had to consider multitudinous factors I have not considered before.

What is it like living in Sydney?

Living in Sydney has been a wonderful experience I have been very thankful to have. I really enjoy living in metropolises for activities, museums, multiculturalism, skyscraper architecture, and green community spaces–and Sydney offers them all. I have been able to easily travel within and out of the city, from the gorgeous beachside walk from Coogee to Bondi, to a jog in the breath-taking Blue Mountains. The University of Sydney has more students per unit than I expected, but the large student population also allows for niche clubs like the Mah Jong Society. My best experiences in Sydney have stemmed from living at the St. Paul's College, the oldest college in Australia. The fraternity, events, and academic support within the college make me feel like I am living at Hogwarts and have elevated my exchange experience immensely.

What do you hope to do with your experience from the USSC?

Already, the USSC has altered my desired career path. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time researching energy, and believe I may want to work for a think tank in Washington, D.C. as an energy policy expert. As I continue to develop analytical and researching skills, I hope to be able to work as an energy industry analyst for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an agency of the U.S. Federal Government. Overall, my main goal is to be able to influence federal policy to increase environmental awareness in the ways our society uses and generates energy, and my internship at the USSC is helping me realize this goal. From the expansion of my understanding of multifaceted energy issues to methods of research, my internship is helping me solidify the skills I need for career in energy policy.