I am a graduate student in New York City, currently pursuing my masters in Urban Policy Analysis and Management at The New School, not a hip-hop movement, but a university in Manhattan. My background reflects that of a quintessential New Yorker, the product of an Eastern European-Jewish mother and Puerto Rican father. I developed an interest in the well-being of cities through several means, including substantial time spent in various neighborhoods throughout New York City since I was very young, especially in Manhattan and The Bronx. Raised in Westchester County, NY and the nearby Hudson Valley, I have always been attracted to New York City for its energy and diversity. My interests expanded after several professional and personal experiences took me to cities in all areas of the U.S., as well as Toronto and Montreal, Canada, witnessing substantial differences in infrastructure, built environments, transportation networks and cultures.
After earning a B.S. in Management, concentrating in Marketing and Management Information Systems, from Binghamton University, I spent several years employed in market research, helping leading companies in the consumer goods and broadcast media industries understand their markets and develop/refine their offerings. Just prior to graduate school, at The Nielsen Company, I supported the transition of television audience measurement practices (aka “TV ratings”) for 15 major US cities (including Phoenix, Miami, St. Louis and Baltimore to name a few) and Puerto Rico from relying on handwritten diaries to electronic means (a.k.a. “The Nielsen Box”). With exposure to a wide variety of population and economic data on American cities and regions, this experience cemented my interest in how cities develop and prosper.
In August 2010, I transitioned from this role to full-time graduate study. Before classes began, in the span of a few weeks during this month, I rented a car and drove cross-country from New York City. First, I traveled across the “Rust Belt” to Chicago, then cut through the heartland to Santa Fe. I headed back east through the heart of the Bible Belt until I hit the Appalachian trail, which I roughly followed back towards NYC. I intend to gradually document experiences and observations from my 16-day trip on this blog.
While in graduate school, I seek to understand how communities can prosper and remain vibrant without sacrificing their authenticity and character. In addition to classes, school meetings and hitting the books, I also currently intern at a large transportation agency, supporting initiatives to enhance the asset management and capital planning processes for an iconic service (hint: “Stand clear of the closing doors, please”). I am also currently Treasurer of the New School’s Toastmasters chapter, The New Voice, a member of the student advisory council for the New School’s Urban Policy program and have assisted two professors with research. A resident of Astoria, Queens since 2007, I also volunteer with organizations focused on transportation and parks issues in my neighborhood.
- Ian
ian.hardouin at gmail dot com
Check out my profile on LinkedIn to learn more about my professional background
