Andrea’s interest in urban planning began with courses through Iowa’s School of Planning and Public Affairs as part of an undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability. She entered the urban and regional planning master’s program directly after earning her bachelor’s degree in economics, without a concrete career plan. In the program, she focused on economic development and environmental planning. Although her favorite class was Dave Swenson’s Economic Impact Assessment, she left Iowa with the goal of becoming a sustainability coordinator at a city or college. 

After a year of juggling part-time government jobs related to recycling and waste education for cities and counties in Minnesota, Andrea began searching for roles in economic development. That search led her to Ehlers and Associates, Inc., a municipal financial advising firm where she spent four years helping school districts across Minnesota pass bond and operating referendums. The role required frequent travel to school board meetings to support clients and answer taxpayer questions. While she enjoyed the work, Andrea had long dreamed of moving to Denver, which led her to a small economic development consulting firm out west.

After about a year, Andrea realized consulting and hourly billing weren’t for her and set her sights on the Colorado Capitol. Inspired by former classmates and colleagues who had worked in nonpartisan legislative agencies, she joined Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee in October 2019 as a Legislative Budget and Policy Analyst. Her team supports the six-member committee by providing objective research, fiscal analysis, and recommendations that help balance the state budget and keep the legislative process running smoothly. The role allows Andrea to draw on her strengths in public speaking, writing, data analysis, and even a bit of ArcGIS.

Having followed a meandering but consistently urban planning- and public policy–adjacent career path, Andrea is always happy to talk with SPPA students and alumni about their job search.