Wozezeka

I earned my bachelors in animal science with a minor in education, worked as an agricultural extension agent for the Peace Corps, taught agricultural science at the high school level in the US, and am now working on my masters in Public Policy. I was originally interested in a masters in Ag Econ or straight Econ, but without a math background I figured it was a long shot. My masters program is very flexible so I am focusing on statistics and econ and I might take some multi-variate calc classes (not for credit). I really enjoy these classes and I think I could get a job using these quantitative skills, but part of me is also considering a PhD. How realistic would it be for someone without an Econ BS or MA?

I am looking into the PMF program. Are there any benefits if I don't want to work for the federal government? Right now I see myself working for the state government or working in the private industry. I am interested in policy/data analysis or environmental policy.

Anyone here interested in the consulting world? Part of me is interested in environmental policy and another part is interested in policy analysis. Working for a think tank or the government are good options for me but I want to develop my policy analysis skills and potentially work in the private sector. Doing environmental policy consulting would be ideal. Deloitte is the big consulting form in my city (Austin. I am attending LBJ and I will do my damnedest to stay in Austin post graduation) but I don't know much about how policy consulting works. Anyone familiar with what you do as a consultant with a MPP/mpa? Know of any firms that do environmental policy consulting?

Thanks!! I will look in to python. Any suggestions to gain background understanding about how all this works? I learned some HTML in high school and college but that was a while back.

This is a bit out of place but I figured y'all would have good advice! I'm starting my masters in public affairs this fall and I am interested in learning to code over the summer. An MPA involves analyzing data and I've heard that R and Python are good for statistics. What recommendations would you have for what code to learn?

Enrolled today. I'll be taking their math class this summer.

As stated at the beginning of my post all estimations include my funding offer and cost of living.

Here's the info for me. Expenses includes cost-of-living UW: Funding, but still expensive UT: No funding, estimated cost $50,000 ish IU SPEA - Funding but still going to cost about $50,000 UM Ford School - No funding UC Berkeley - Waitlist U Maryland - Funding - Cost of about $30,000 My top two choices were IU SPEA and UT. IU SPEA because of their reputation in environmental policy and UT for their Austin and Texas network. As a current resident of Austin and someone who wants to make a life in Austin, UT is my best choice, even if U Maryland is cheaper. U Maryland doesn't have the Texas network or the Enviro program. Many many UT grads find jobs in Austin and even at the EDF branch in Austin, there are many LBJ folks employed. While I didn't receive any funding at UT (they reserve most of it for out-of-state folks) I should be able to get a job here to cover tuition and if I am lucky, provide a stipend. This will allow me to build my network! The idea of not ever paying for grad school is a luxury. Only 30% of LBJ students receive funding. Funding has declined at most schools and now that the Masters is the new Bachelors, schools have to make their money somehow. Even though $50,000 looks really scary, I think I can find a part-time job that helps me build my network and pads my budget. Everyone needs to make the decision that is best for them, but keep in mind that starting salaries are not wildly different.

They didn't offer the max and when I looked at the explanation, it said I had to pay it back. The only think I could think of is maybe the school covers interest while I attend.

I got a financial aid offer from U of Michigan today, but two parts of it were loans that needed to be repayed. What is the advantage of the university offering me federal loans that I must repay, including interest? I could easily get all the money I needed from the same loan, rather than just a partial loan that the university is offering. And I would be paying it back anyway. What is the sense in offering a partial loan that I must repay and calling it financial aid? Why in the world would they offer a partial loan to cover tuition and living expenses when I can get the exact same loan, but larger to cover all expenses rather than just part. I am either misunderstanding something or this is a strange process.

Who will be at the experience day? I'm hoping to be there on Wednesday, otherwise I will have to take an extra day off work to go Monday. InternationalHopeful, I've heard the same about jobs. I think I will do the 1st semester without a job and then try to get an assistantship in the second semester or a relevant part-time job. I'll be visiting IU SPEA and UT the 1st week of april. As an Austinite and someone who wants to build a future in Austin, I think I'll be at UT, but the Envrio program at SPEA has a pretty strong draw on me. Where do y'all think you will fall. (If you aren't a Texan, get used to hearing y'all lol. Most of us don't have strong accents, but we ALL say y'all)

I know many schools post their salary info online, but I'm curious what your expectations/experiences are. What would you anticipate the following agencies/positions to earn? Policy Analyst Researcher Non-Profit field Local Gov State Gov Federal position Think Tank Consultant I am not sure which route I want to take. I am primarily interested in envrionmental policy but I also think that policy analysis would be interesting, profitable, and provide job security. I am currently a teacher making 50K, so I am REALLY hoping to make at least 60K upon graduation. Money isn't a huge focus in my life, but I don't want to invest in school only to make what I made before. However, I am very excited about all the career opportunities and lifestyle changes that this degree (MPA - haven't picked a university yet!) will bring. (Yes teachers get summer, but we more than make up for it at other times and typically work on developing curriculum in the summer without pay!) What path do you want to pursue and what do you hope to earn?

I've been admitted to both and, thanks to funding, the schools carry pretty similar price tags. I currently live in Austin, TX and Austin is my dream city. I have everything I want here in ATX. Mydream job would be one in which I work in agricultural or environmental policy to improve conditions for small farmers, prevent air and water pollution, and maybe do ag/enviro policy analysis or economic work. I think if I just wanted a regular policy job, either would be great. However, to work in enviro affairs, I think SPEA has the lead. Yet to get a job in Austin, I couldn't beat LBJ. I want to stay in Austin, but I don't want my love for Austin to hold me back from SPEA if SPEA is going to give me better content knowledge through their dual degree program. LBJ also has a dual degree program, but I don't know much about it. Clearly I am torn. Any one have input on these programs?

No email but accepted online! I live in Austin now and it will be a really tough choice between UT and SPEA. I want to focus on enviro policy but I want to live and work in Austin.

Yesterday