Okay I'm just entering an MPP program but otherwise I have some thoughts of my own
1- Eight years of direct public policy work at the local government level, four years additional in unrelated jobs in the energy and education sector. I've also worked as a campaign strategist, asst campaign manager before.
2- Cant answer this yet but course work indicates I will get new skills
3- This is easy to answer. All opportunities to advance require a masters. I have no debt now and figured I could reasonable swing up to 40K in debt. I'm hoping not to have that much. It was pretty much now or never
4- The average age of my program is 33 with just over half attending PT with a FT job. Yet there are plenty of FT students in between jobs. Yes you have some recent UG grads but there is a decent amount of distance from UG work for most students. Exec MPP I have heard are a waste of money unless your current employer pays and you benefit.
5- I'm split between pursuing the Policy end of things or the administration end. Most colleges make you take a core set of courses before specifying. I plan on making this decision after a full semester and depending where internship/job opportunities wind up. I know more of my work history has been policy driven and should find myself gravitated to working at the political level, the MPP is where I will wind up. Otherwise Im going to go for strictly administration as that is where my skill set is lacking.