The Fletcher School

Virginie Raphael has always been interested in the complex intersection of the public and private sectors. Before coming to Fletcher, she worked at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. Her projects, often involving the private sector, included reporting to French investors on Inter-American Development Bank projects and conducting market studies for French transportation companies. “My idea in coming to Fletcher was to put together my public and private sector experience,” says Raphael. “I think the separations between public, private, and non-governmental actors are becoming more blurred. Fletcher has helped me to not only look at a company’s financials and earnings, but also the governmental policies that are being implemented that have a big effect on the market.”

When researching careers that matched her interests, Raphael looked to Fletcher alumni to help her understand the day-to-day realities of different professions. She approached an alumnus who finances public infrastructure projects. “He’s convinced that Fletcher students are very well-prepared for a field like project finance, so he was very supportive in helping me find an internship, and he helped me stay on top of the interview process.”