Graduate Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Andrés Gallardo
Summer 2016 Archer Fellow
Internship: Population Institute
Education
Instituto Tecnólogico Autónomo de México (ITAM)
B.A.; August 2008
University of Texas at Austin
M.A. Energy and Earth Resources; August 2011
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Ph.D. Applied Demography; Spring 2019
Current Position
Research Program Specialist (Demographer) at the California Department of Finance
Summer 2016 Archer Fellow
Internship: Population Institute
Education
Instituto Tecnólogico Autónomo de México (ITAM)
B.A.; August 2008
University of Texas at Austin
M.A. Energy and Earth Resources; August 2011
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Ph.D. Applied Demography; Spring 2019
Current Position
Research Program Specialist (Demographer) at the California Department of Finance
“It gives you opportunities that go beyond networking."
Q & A with Andrés
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
It made me fully accept that I did not want to go into academia, but rather a more applied setting.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I found three aspects of being an Archer Fellow that are what made this such a unique experience. First, I cherish the opportunity of having lived in D.C., which opened a path for me that I had not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity of having interned at a nonprofit; where I learned about important role that advocacy plays in society. Finally, I found my group to be critical to the program. Having the opportunity to meet people with such different motivations, goals, and backgrounds enriches the fellowship in a way that goes beyond the typical classroom experience.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
I would say that it is about adding intention to timing: it is important being at the right place at the right time, but you have to be there. All the good things that happened around the Archer Fellowship required my being there and pushing through.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I think that above all, is the knowledge that you are part of a group that shared an experience that extends across cohorts. It gives you opportunities that go beyond networking.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
My favorite memory was biking to class after work. I remember that I got to bike next to many of the city’s landmarks and it made me really feel that I was living there, not just passing by.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Just go for it. Apply and push through. You have to be there for things to happen for you.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
It made me fully accept that I did not want to go into academia, but rather a more applied setting.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I found three aspects of being an Archer Fellow that are what made this such a unique experience. First, I cherish the opportunity of having lived in D.C., which opened a path for me that I had not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity of having interned at a nonprofit; where I learned about important role that advocacy plays in society. Finally, I found my group to be critical to the program. Having the opportunity to meet people with such different motivations, goals, and backgrounds enriches the fellowship in a way that goes beyond the typical classroom experience.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
I would say that it is about adding intention to timing: it is important being at the right place at the right time, but you have to be there. All the good things that happened around the Archer Fellowship required my being there and pushing through.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I think that above all, is the knowledge that you are part of a group that shared an experience that extends across cohorts. It gives you opportunities that go beyond networking.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
My favorite memory was biking to class after work. I remember that I got to bike next to many of the city’s landmarks and it made me really feel that I was living there, not just passing by.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Just go for it. Apply and push through. You have to be there for things to happen for you.
