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if you want to work in government, it can be helpful but you will most likely start pretty low, a MPP/MPA is very useful for these jobs, and strong quant skills are excellent for promotions and what not since many municipal government are stat focused these days.
It's just "weak" in regards to liquidity. In otherwords, the degree by itself will probably not get you far. Generally speaking you still need a skill or specialization attached to it to really get where you want to be.
That can be anything from strong quant skills or strong internships where you've gained a specific experience that's needed in the job that you're applying for.
MPAs or MPP really are much like the MBA in that they are suppose to compliment the experience. Most jobs that want MPAs or MPPs also require several years of working experience along with it.
And trust me, do not bank on getting a government job with any degree. Getting a gov job involves a lot of luck, timing, and connections. There are tons of MBAs, MPA,s MPPs, and JDs that apply to GS-07 and 09 positions and get nowhere for years.
Im not sure, but I know someone who is graduating with that degree and is planning on going to law school because they want to be a malpractice attorney.
My son is about to graduate with a poli sci degree. He, and most of his other poli sci friends are going to law school. He's always wanted to study law, and he loves politics so it was a natural fit for him.
That's what I did with my poli sci degree. When applying to lawl skools, it's pretty much a straight-up numbers contest (with few exceptions), so grade inflation is your friend.
Focus on a particular developing region, learn everything about their government and politics and relationship with the US, learn their language (say Brazil, China, Korea, United Arab Emirates, Egypt....) and try to get into a multinational business. Not easy though by any stretch.
MPAs or MPP really are much like the MBA in that they are suppose to compliment the experience. Most jobs that want MPAs or MPPs also require several years of working experience along with it.
I agree MBAs are supposed to compliment your experience, thus why many respectable MBA programs strongly favor job experience to even get in the program. Wasn't so sure about MPAs though.
Last edited by Randomstudent; 03-29-2012 at 01:17 AM..
That's what I did with my poli sci degree. When applying to lawl skools, it's pretty much a straight-up numbers contest (with few exceptions), so grade inflation is your friend.
That is also what I did with my political science degree. Though I know some of my classmates who did other things with theirs.
I'm under the impression that many top MPA programs are similar to top MBA programs - but without the math or quantitative emphasis.
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