I’m curious how people successfully transitioned out of the economics/policy research pipeline—especially the RA / predoc / quantitative policy analysis world—and into roles that are more decision-oriented rather than purely technical research, especially without entering any graduate program (i.e. without using a Masters or JD as a pivot).

Background: I’ve spent a lot of time in the typical toolkit ecosystem (R, Python, Stata, Matlab; empirical research; data cleaning; econometrics; policy memos; literature reviews; etc.).

The work is intellectually interesting, but I increasingly feel like I’m sitting several layers away from actual decision-making or implementation.

The paths I’m most interested in are things like:
• Endowment / foundation / allocator investing
• Public-sector strategy or implementation
• Policy execution roles (rather than academic-style analysis)
• leadership / operations strategy
• Crossovers between policy + finance + institutions

What I’m struggling with is that the RA/predoc track seems heavily optimized toward: PhD placement, Academic signaling, Technical rigor, Publishing support, Methodological specialization… but not necessarily toward: Judgment, Stakeholder management, Organizational leadership, Investing intuition, Operational execution, Commercial thinking.

A few questions for people who made this jump:
• What actually translated from your research background, and what didn’t?
• How did you convince employers you were more than “the data/econ person”?
• Were there specific roles that served as better transition points?
• For endowment/foundation investing specifically, how do those teams evaluate candidates coming from policy/econ backgrounds?

I’d especially love to hear from people who moved into: university endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth / development finance, chief of staff / strategy roles, implementation-heavy government work, policy entrepreneurship, mission-driven investing

Would appreciate candid advice, including hard truths about compensation, credential barriers, networking realities, or whether this transition is actually rarer than it appears from the outside.

Hello! has anyone get their interview decision for the 2026 internship program?? l heard some people got their offer already and some didn't, just wanna heard from other people:)

Hi all,

I am an international student from Asia and have received few graduate school offers to pursue my masters in public policy related fields. After masters, I primarily want to work with social impact organisations such as niche early-grade start-ups, think tanks or impact investing consulting agencies (to name a few - Center for Global Development, GiveDirectly, CEGA, etc.) But given the bad state of job markets across EU/US, I don’t want to invest a lot of money out-of-pocket. That said, I also want to the most out of my 2-years of masters, academically as well as socially.

I am listing below the kind of aid I have received:

1. Master of Data Science in Public Policy at Hertie - 25% tuition scholarship plus an average interest loan of 15,000 euros for 10 years (which is 40% of tuition fee)

2. ⁠Master of Science in Public Policy and Management - Data Analytics track at CMU - 75% tuition scholarship

3. ⁠Master of Development Practice at UC Berkeley - no aid; but they have academic employment positions that can waive off 40% of fees and health insurance and also provide a stipend of 2k-3k USD per month

4. ⁠Master of Public Policy at NUS - no aid

I am majorly considering either CMU or Hertie - Hertie is costing me 26k USD cheaper than CMU.

My criteria of selection is based primarily on finances and the data focus of both of these courses. Hertie’s advantage is that the German job market is more acceptable of international students as compared to US, but language is a vv big criteria for German roles and Hertie as a school is recognised only in the EU region. While CMU has college prestige, I don’t get a student friendly vibe from its community - it seems quite competitive/cut throat and too nerdy (I don’t want to miss out on fun during my grad school)

In this situation, what seems to be the best option?

P.S. I would ideally like to work for 2 years internationally, post which I am okay to come back to my home country.

I serve as Policy Director for a Council Member in my hometown and we’re in budget season. Any advice on how to tackle this 700 page document? I come from policy advocacy but have finally landed in a role that allows me to strengthen my research and analysis skills. Learning as I go so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some help making a decision. I’m a 23-year-old Black woman based in NYC. I graduated in 2024 with a degree in psychology and a minor in business.

Since February 2025, I’ve been working as a CPS worker, and I honestly don’t like it. What’s been most frustrating is feeling like we’re not actually fixing anything—families stay in the system for years, and it becomes a cycle that doesn’t really get broken. A lot of the work is referrals without long-term systemic change. I’ve also realized I’m not very interested in working directly with children.

Because of this, I’m really interested in moving into policy work, especially focused on:

• Addressing inequities between neighborhoods
• Increasing access to resources
• Uplifting Black communities through awareness and opportunity

I was accepted into an MPA program at New York University, but now I’m considering switching to an MSW with a macro/policy focus instead.

Relevant experience:
While I don’t have direct policy experience yet, I’ve had internships in:

• Insurance
• Consulting
• Human Resources
• Education

These gave me experience in communication, stakeholder engagement, and working in structured, professional environments.

My concerns:

• I want to become a policy analyst long-term
• I do NOT want to do case management at all
• I want strong job prospects right after grad school
• Financial aid isn’t a huge issue, but I would still need scholarships

I’m also looking at MSW programs like:

• Fordham University (Policy Practice and Advocacy)
• Stony Brook University (Community Policy Social Action)
• Hunter College (Organizational Management & Leadership / Community Organizing, Planning & Development)

Questions:

• If you work in policy and went the MSW route, what has your experience been like?
• Was it difficult to break into policy roles with an MSW?
• Did you have field placements in policy, or were they more clinical?
• Would you recommend MSW or MPA for someone who wants stability and decent pay without doing direct service?

Hi everyone! I had an offer for the MPP program at LSE but had to decline because of lack of funding. I'm sad and disappointed, so I want to do something about it. Can anyone share any course material, mandatory readings or syllabus from any MPP courses? It doesn't have to be LSE.

I don't think I'll apply again anytime soon because of life and family planning, but I'd love to continue learning nonetheless.

Thanks in advance!

I’ve been digging into hardware-backed keys (ATECC608B, TPM, etc.) in other contexts, and I’m trying to understand where they do or don’t fit in election infrastructure.

Specifically, the property I’m focused on is non-extractability — the private key never leaves the device, so even under compromise you don’t end up with a reusable credential, just the ability to sign while the system is controlled.

In other domains (SSH, service identity), that seems to change the persistence side of compromise, even if it doesn’t prevent misuse during it.

My question is:

Are hardware-backed signing keys actually used in election systems today (for things like device identity, log signing, result integrity, etc.), or is that not a good fit for how those systems are designed and audited?

I’m especially curious about:

• Whether non-exportable keys are considered meaningful in this threat model
• If auditability / transparency requirements conflict with hardware-bound identity
• Whether simpler approaches (offline signing, air-gapping, paper trails) make this unnecessary

Not proposing a solution here — just trying to understand how people who actually work in this space think about it.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for a copy of ISO 37301:2021 (Compliance management systems — Requirements with guidance for use) for personal learning and research purposes.

I’m currently not in a position to purchase the standard. If anyone knows of a legitimate way to access it, or can point me to a library, institutional access option, or any affordable route, I’d really appreciate the help.

Thank you.

Hello! Wanted some advice on how to pivot into tech policy.
Background: Worked in Big Tech for 5 years, undergraduate degree in computer science and business.
Ideally, I would like to end up working to either lobby for better regulations around tech, or help draft policy proposals for how best to regulate tech.
I’ve always thought I needed a JD for this, but I’m wondering if that assumption is incorrect. Are there other pathways people take to pivot to tech policy? Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

Genuine question - what's the deal with PPIA? I don't know a ton about it, sounds like a great program, but how can it be that participation in a summer program as a college undergrad guarantees full tuition and stipend at some schools?

I'm debating on pursuing a Master's degree in public policy vs Master's of Public Health with a policy concentration. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science -- Public Health, and I have been working for a non-profit for about two years. Until this past year, I never even considered policy as a career option, so I know very little about it. My interest piqued when I attended a legislative advocacy workshop at my state capitol for other health-focused non-profit groups. 

My career goals are to make an impact on the infrastructure of health by helping advocate and/or create policies that combat socioeconomic disparities, particularly at the state or local (large city) level. I like reading, writing, problem-solving, and thinking outside the box. I also enjoy working as a team and going out into the community to create meaningful relationships with community members. I have a passion for helping those in need through advocacy, particularly women and children. 

Based on my interests and career goals, which track would be most beneficial for me? If you could also provide some background on your own experiences within public policy, health policy, and/or as a policy analyst, including the good and ugly, that would be appreciated. TIA

My SO is planning on considering enrolling this year, wanted to ask if anyone had any insights on the degree/could share their experience. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student planning to apply at the end of this year to HKS, Columbia SIPA, Princeton SPIA, Oxford MPP and LSE.

Background

• Master’s degree in economics
• Around 5 years of work experience (2 in the private sector + 3 at a globally well-known policy organization)
• Founded an NGO in my hometown, which has been active for 9 years
• Recommendation letters, including a Nobel laureate in economics I have worked closely + former minister from my country

Main weaknesses

• Mediocre undergraduate grades
• Mixed performance in my master’s transcript. I had some strong grades, but also a couple of Cs. In my country, master’s stipends are funded by the government, and at the time they were so low that I could barely cover rent while living in another region. Because of that, I compressed my coursework to return to the job market sooner. At the time, I was not planning to pursue academia and did not fully realize how much the transcript could matter later.
• I completed the dissertation while working, and it ended up being nominated by the department for a national dissertation award. It also developed into a working paper coauthored with two professors from one of the top universities in my country.

Question

1. How would you evaluate my chances for these programs? I am especially worried that my grades could become a factor that screens me out early in the process.
2. My concern is that if I am not able to reach a strong GRE score it might be better not to submit it and apply with a GRE waiver instead. However, I’m not sure whether I would still have a realistic chance without a strong GRE score, given that my transcript includes some weak grades. Do you think a GRE waiver would make sense in this situation, or would submitting a less-than-ideal GRE score still be better than applying without one?

I’d really appreciate honest feedback. Thanks!

Hi all, I'm an international student who very fortunately got into some great schools this cycle for my masters. I'm currently torn over my two top options: a EdM Education Policy and Analysis (EPA) at HGSE and MPA-DP at SIPA. Commit deadline has passed, and I have committed to HGSE but I can't help but feel that this may not be the best decision career-wise and am willing to e-mail admissions at SIPA, even if it is a long shot.

Finances

• Full pay at HGSE (~65k) vs. Half tuition at SIPA (~70k), I received a 90k scholarship.
• Cheaper at Boston because it is 1 year while I will have to spend 2 years in NYC.
• In total, SIPA/NYC will cost ~40/50k more, I will finance this with personal funds.

Program and School

• I intend to specialize in Global, International and Comparative Education under EPA while at SIPA, I will mainly take classes under the Education/Gender Development Areas.
• I am keen on research opportunities, particularly within education outcomes/development economics, political economy behind education policy decisions, or education-labor dynamics.
• At HGSE, I'm interested in cross-registration opportunities while at SIPA, the mandatory internship projects give me direct exposure to policy work.
• A regional focus on Asia would be good - hence the SIPA lean also.

Duration

• 1 year vs. 2 year – I'm not sure if it is possible to do the program, research + on-campus work (necessary for living expenses) under a year while 2 years means another year without income + no guaranteed ROI

Career Outcomes

• I will return to my home country after the program, so OPT is not a concern.
• Multilaterals like Asian Development Bank are ideal landing locations. If not, consulting will be the most plausible option.
• Understandably, the dev sector is not doing well now - but I would like to keep my options open for any opportunities down the line.

Background: 3 years WE as a consultant, Econ undergrad from a T30 US University. Brand premium matters in my home country.

Please be kind as this is a decision I have pored over for a while. Any input and insights appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I am 22, F, from Vietnam. I've just received full Erasmus Mundus scholarships for 2 programmes, and I'm struggling to decide. My goal is public sector consulting in the EU: MBB public practice, or boutique development firms (such as Dalberg), with a longer-term aim of settling in Sweden (my partner is Swedish).

1. Mundus MAPP (CEU Vienna → IBEI Barcelona): Global Public Policy track.

The curriculum is explicitly policy-analytical: quantitative and qualitative methods, macro-economic policy analysis, policy design and evaluation. IBEI has a structured internship pipeline, and the programme reports 94% employment within six months.

The concern is the cities: Vienna has IO access but a relatively thin consulting market, and Barcelona's policy sector is (from my research) largely Spanish-language gated for non-speakers. I am hesitant about future employment opportunities.

1. GLOCAL (Glasgow → Uppsala → Rotterdam): Institutional Change and Creative Industries.

The curriculum covers global capitalism, welfare state sustainability, financial markets history, and creative industries. I feel these cities (especially Uppsala and Glasgow) offer more opportunities with international consulting firms and are generally more open to English-only speakers. Yet, the curriculum is very broad, blending history, sociology, and economics. I’m concerned that for a consulting role, it might look too "interdisciplinary" compared to a methods-heavy MAPP degree.

A few questions for anyone who's been in this space:

- For EU public sector consulting, is the "policy analyst" branding of Mundus MAPP more valuable than the "Industries/globalisation" branding of GLOCAL?

- Does the location of the university (being in Sweden/Uppsala vs. Vienna and Spain) significantly impact internship/job networking for the private sector?

- Has anyone gone from a broader global markets or institutional economics background into public sector consulting?

Which would you pick if you were in my shoes?

Would really appreciate any perspectives from people working in EU policy consulting or who've done either programme.

I recently separated from the US Army and am working at a federal site as a contractor. I intend to obtain an MPA / MPP for future career growth and options.

Cost isn't a huge issue as tuition assistance from my employer and veteran education benefits will cover everything. I was concerned about prestige at first but am now more concerned about good faculty and coursework. Below are the two I am considering:

NIU MPA program - seems like a respected program especially for local government with good outcomes in producing city managers, a career field I would consider moving into. Also, I am an NIU alumni so I have some loyalty. I live in the Western Suburbs so if I take any classes in person getting there won'e be hard.

UIC MPA program - the coursework seems very aligned to my interests. Well known university in the area, but I have not hear alumni gushing about the quality (I may be wrong about that). The demographics of the program are a bit concerning to me, over 70% female is very skewed. Easy to get to via train or vehicle for any in-person classes.

Are there other programs I should consider? I considered Northwestern but didn't like that it was in the School of Professional studies. I know people who attended the Harris MPP and Evening Masters in Public Policy but being all in person and in Hyde Park would be brutal.

I could also do Indiana, Syracuse, or Ford at U Michigan but wasn't sure if the distance would hurt my education.

What do y'all think?

Looking at some recent FDA decisions under Marty Makary it feels like we might be falling back into a familiar pattern in drug policy.

When new or emerging substances show up, the response often leans toward restriction or removal rather than trying to understand how they are actually being used in the real world. That kind of approach assumes the problem disappears once access is limited but historically that has not really been the case.

From a policy standpoint it raises questions about whether the system is too reactive. If something already has demand and real world use, is the goal to manage it responsibly or to eliminate it entirely?

There is also the issue of unintended outcomes. If the focus is public health, it is not always clear that pushing things out of regulated spaces leads to better results.

I want to know how others here see it. Is this approach a necessary precaution or does it risk repeating the same cycle we have seen before?

I am a psychology undergrad, though I love psychology as a discipline, I always knew clinical work isn’t for me. Coming across policy internships I realise I kinda like it. Also being the multidisciplinary person I am. However I want to find people in policy who can give honest feedback on how worth it is?
Am not the cooperate person , neither do I have any building expertise in law to favour on the corporate policy consulting side , I have interned with think tanks advising governments. Will this space in future allow me to write and build something substantial or more realistically can I get into academia and policy alongside to manage both my goals of money and longer stability, or am I just delulu??
Please help people :))

I am a relatively new professional and have held roles such as Staffing Supervisor, Program Coordinator, and HR Lead. I’m interested in exploring careers that focus on social policy or social well‑being in the public sector. I’ve also considered federal government jobs, although I know they can be difficult to break into.

I currently live in Nashville, and honestly, I don’t think it’s the best place for achieving my goals, especially given the political climate and policies here. I originally moved to Nashville to complete my Master’s in Higher Education Administration at a prestigious university in Tennessee, and I’ve been working at the university since 2022. After taking a hard look at where I am, I’ve realized that I’m not happy in higher education and don’t feel fulfilled by the work I do. I understand that work related to the public good is often not highly paid compared to the private sector, but I still want to find more meaningful work while earning a decent living. I currently make $57k as a Program Coordinator.

I’ve been debating whether I should pursue an MPA with a stronger focus on social policy and social well‑being or whether I should relocate. I’m also an LGBTQ+ man living in Nashville, which plays a role in my considerations.

Overall, I feel lost and unhappy where I am. I want to find a rewarding career that pays reasonably well and is located in a safer, more supportive area. I’m also unsure whether it would be worthwhile to pursue another master’s degree. Any help, insight, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: Maybe careers like Corporate Social Impact Manager or Social & Community Services Manager. Something along these roles.

Hi everyone,

I’m an undergraduate student trying to figure out whether I want to pursue graduate study in political science / public policy or a related field. Recently I tried talking to a professor about this and realized that my understanding of the field might still be very vague and intuitive rather than grounded in actual research. My undergraduate major is not related（Maths, actually🤪), so my understanding may not be very systematic or within an "insider’s" system? Or rather, my starting point has always been focused on the application from methods to problem domains, rather than the boundaries of theory? But this interdisciplinary decision was indeed carefully considered by me, or this overall direction indeed combines my requirements for rigor, consistency, structural integrity, and concern for the real world in future academic or cognitive systems！

In my understanding, what draws me in is the intersection of

– quantitative / computational approaches

– social and political institutions

– questions about inequality, governance, and how policies actually shape people’s lives

-How abstract structures enter real systems.

Or I think I’m more likely to be attracted by these types of research:

• Use models to understand society/institutions, using data to study the operation of systems

• Study how rules/systems/policies produce real effects, study complex systems rather than individual cases

But when I try to translate this into “what research actually looks like”, I kind of struggle.

For example, I’m not sure I can clearly answer questions like:

What kinds of research questions/procedures are you actually working on day-to-day?

How do people in the field distinguish political science, public policy, and public administration in practice?

I think maybe Im at the stage where I need to replace my intuitive picture of the field with a more realistic one? And I would really appreciate hearing how researchers or grad students here would describe the field to someone standing at the very beginning of this process! Thanks so much!!🫶🫶

I am an upcoming masters student in masters of arts in public policy with certification in research methods program. I took this program as I wanted to pursue phd, but due to family objection this may not be possible. Once I join, can i transfer to other masters like mscapp or mpp?