Student Profile: Beth Sun, MPP Class of 2024

Beth Sun, MPP Class of 2024, said she had a revelation about public service and social impact while pursuing her undergraduate studies in psychology and economics at Pepperdine University in 2018.

“I had launched fundraisers to help Pepperdine recover from the devastating Woolsey Mountain Fire, and I was disappointed at the amount we raised—it was far from enough for stricken faculty members and students to rebuild their homes.” Later, when volunteering at the United Nations’ CDS Kenya, she experienced a similar frustration: “My team failed to help all of the Kenya program participants go back to school because of a shortage of funds.” 

These experiences, she said, got her thinking. “I realized my passion alone for public service didn’t necessarily mean I could make a substantial impact,” she said. “I began to realize that under many circumstances, impact is actualized by effective allocation of financial resources.” This realization, Sun said, got her thinking about venture philanthropy as a way to maximize the social impact of nonprofit organizations.

Sun also credits several internship opportunities with shaping her academic and career goals. “My internships ranged from a banking internship in Shanghai to private equity experiences and even marketing roles in the retail sector. I would say my banking internship was especially valuable because it raised my awareness of banking policy and exposed me to the ways economic situations differ across countries.” Sun added that her banking internship experience also influenced her decision to pursue the certificate in Finance and Policy at Harris.

One of Sun’s internships also spurred her decision to explore graduate studies in policy. “I was an Analyst Intern for the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., where I researched policy and historical context for interpreting news more objectively. I gained a lot of insight and really enjoyed providing that analysis and contributing to pivotal decision-making processes.”

The sum of her experiences ultimately led Sun to the Master of Public Policy at The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, which she joined immediately after completing her undergraduate degree.

“Harris has provided numerous opportunities to explore and refine my professional interests as I build a useful toolkit to practice capital operation and efficient management. The flexibility and freedom to focus on any policy area has also been invaluable because not only have I been able to explore interests like financial policy, but I’ve also been able to take courses from other divisions and schools across the campus. UChicago has presented me with opportunities I simply couldn’t get elsewhere.” 

When Sun saw many of her friends graduate in 2023, she said it was a watershed moment: “I saw how sad they were to finish their journey and leave Harris, and that made me really want to cherish every moment I have here.” To that end, Sun decided to engage more deeply with the Harris community as a Harris Ambassador. “I have a deep affection for Harris, and I want to share that energy with prospective students.”

For prospective applicants to Harris, Sun recommends capitalizing on networking opportunities. “Harris provides many opportunities to network and connect, but I would also encourage prospective students to reach out to people on LinkedIn with similar backgrounds and ask them about their experiences—both with the application process and as a Harris student.”