Corporate Job And Public Policy?

[Confused 1]

Hey. In the introductions I have noticed that a few of the folks on this forum have had corporate jobs, and still managed to get into a Public Policy Masters program.

 

I always thought Public Policy was a program for development professionals, people with backgrounds in NGOs etc. Is this not true? Can someone shed light on what background (work, degrees etc) got you admission in a Masters in Public Policy.

[Sundus 12]

I don't think this is set in stone. A variety of backgrounds can land you in public policy including journalism, psychology, economics and business, amongst others. Public policy can lead to a variety of careers- in the government, in the private sector, and in the development sector. I know a lot of people who have done a degree in public policy and gone on to have careers in analytics, research, management, and consulting (technology, public, as well as private).

 

Essentially the degree is so broad that it becomes what you want to make of it. If you want to go into management, choose the school that specializes in public policy and management (like Heinz college does). If you want to go in public administration, choose the courses and/or school that allows you to do exactly that (like SIPA). A public policy degree allows you a career in a wide variety of fields, and thus takes in people from diverse backgrounds. It offers the neccessary academic skills for PhD aspirants, along with the requisite practical skills to excel at jobs.

If you have a more specific question in mind, or a career that you want to pursue, please do not hesitate to ask

[NaveedTariq 0]

Hey. In the introductions I have noticed that a few of the folks on this forum have had corporate jobs, and still managed to get into a Public Policy Masters program.

 

I always thought Public Policy was a program for development professionals, people with backgrounds in NGOs etc. Is this not true? Can someone shed light on what background (work, degrees etc) got you admission in a Masters in Public Policy.

You can say good 

[Ahsan 15]

Hello Naveed,

 

I don't think that one necessarily correlates to the other. You can get into a Public Policy program if you can show that you have the requisite skill-set and desire to get into one. Several people change careers at multiple stages of their employment cycle and admissions committees are cognizant of such decisions. However, it is true that the more time you spend in a certain career the less likely it will be for you to make a switch. If you can share your exact situation right now ( work experience, education etc) perhaps we can help identify what you need to do to get into the program you want.

 

Hope that helps.

Ahsan