How is Portland State? (real estate, apartment, house)

[keepitsimplestupid]

I'm considering grad school for Public Administration, I noticed Portland State University had a program in it. Anyone have experience with this program or just the university in general? I've heard good things about Portland the city. I'm pretty progressive and I like live music and good beer so someone said that I might like Portland. I posted in the Maine forum to see if THEIR Portland was nice, because I'm looking for a smaller place than where I live now with nicer natural settings (i live in the South Florida region right now). However I think i'd like to do the grad school thing and Portland seems like a good place to be young, if that makes any sense. So if anyone has any info about the school from experience, or maybe just general info about Portland, that'd be cool.

[jfwells]

I attended Portland State as an undergrad and know many people who have received their MBA from there. Do not know anything about the Public Administration program, however. PSU has historically been a commuter-school, and ugly step-sister to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. It has definitely improved its standing recently by developing new programs and utilizing the resources its urban setting provides. One example is the Urban Studies program is tightly connected with the real estate and development community in the Portland area.

As to Portland in general, it definitely has a fun scene for young people. There is also a burgoening 'creative class' of people that call Portland home. Other draws are outdoor activities. Be warned, however: you will have to get used to gray miserable days much of the year.

There is plenty of info on Portland on the web. If you post other interests you might have I would be happy to give you links to related sites.

[karnovaran]

I'm heavily considering moving to Portland and attending PSU for their Masters in Finance & Accounting. In my head, I've determined that going through a business program at PSU will greatly enhance my ability to find a job in Portland by meeting people and having access to PSU's job placement resources. Am I right? Does anyone here have experience pursuing employment as a PSU grad? Is PSU a major positive, slightly helpful, or inconsequential to employers? Thanks for any insight...

[oldtintype]

PSU is a nice campus in the center of downtown. It's not a traditional college in terms of Portland is not a college town and there's more to Portland than PSU. I think that's something that some people have problems with as they're used to a more traditional school where the town exists BECAUSE of the school and there's a huge sprawling campus, etc. PSU is actually a fairly large campus but it's an urban campus so it's comprised of a variety of buildings adjacent to the south park blocks that get/got annexed as it grows/grew. It's actually a really nice campus as it sits right on the park blocks (imagine lots of trees, and a green belt with park benches and statues, etc). If you want a "college environment" then yes, it the ugly stepsister. If you want a college environment in your urban environment (i.e. you want the city atmosphere but you also want to go to school vs. wanting to live in a frat house and have everything revolve around the college) you'll like it.

[roneb]

The "ugly step sister" image still prevails in many peoples minds but is really undeserved at this point. They have several quality programs. The Urban Studies program that was mentioned previously was recently ranked as one of the top in the nation. oltintype's point about an urban setting rather than college town/frat/sorority feel is well put. For many seeking a higher ed degree while working it makes PSU a lot more attractive.

[PNWhike]

I got my Bachelor's Degree at PSU. I couldn't tell you about the Graduate programs, however. Portland State is a commuter University. It is located downtown and on the Park Blocks which are really fun to hang out on when the weather gets warmer. I would say that PSU is just an average unversity. Not a bad college, but nothing that really stands out either. If you live downtown near PSU there are lots of good restraunts, bars, with a nightlife. You can walk almost anywhere downtown Portland. It can be fun to be downtown. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[karnovaran]

Yeah I'm familiar with PSU's setting. I'm more interested in getting some kind of opinion on whether my job search will be made any easier by attending. I'm not from Portland and everyone on here says it's hard to find employment as an "outsider".

Maybe I should have started a new topic..

[oldtintype]

Just because people say that on here doesn't mean it's always true. I don't think having a PSU degree is going to make a difference or not, the only difference will be if you have a local address and an employer prefers to interview local candidates (i.e. to avoid having to pay to fly people in, etc).

[karnovaran]

Gotcha.. I would definitely have a Portland address by the time I'd interview. Assuming I can get an apartment without a job, of course... ugh.

[jojo4]

my wife just graduated from the PSU MPA program last summer. One of the required class for her was some kind of an internship program. She transition to a full time position at the same place right after she graduated. She also did a couple other internship and was offered position there too. It was pretty painless for her and she had some choices.