private2publicsector

Definitely - thank you this is helpful! Agree that it's moreso me considering what jobs I am passionate about and working backwards from there, but overall leaning towards standalone IR/MPA route. Very interesting points and lots to consider! Thanks again.

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive response! Your first 3 points are very helpful for someone with limited contacts/experience in this area so thank you very much. You are definitely correct in that I haven't done nearly as much research -- I have lots to read up on! I am leaning more towards the IR/ID or MPA route as I am not as interested in what seems like a more quant-heavy MPP angle (quant/heavy analysis is not my strong suit nor personal interest). I have definitely considered an MBA as well and noticed there are some dual-degree programs out there (Wharton's Lauder MBA / MA in International Studies, HKS MBA/MPA-ID). I'm just not too sure if this will pigeonhole me back into the corporate world, though I think it's what I make of it in terms of post-grad job searching. Thank you again!! I feel a bit better about what I need to do next, and really appreciate your response - happy new year!

Hi All, First of all just wanted to thank the engaged members of this forum - have been lurking and it's nice to see how thoughtful and caring this community is! I am looking to change careers via an MPA and currently work in the private sector as a management consultant (not MBB but top-tier). The goal would be to apply in Fall 2021 for Fall 2020 enrollment -- however, after reading previous posts, I wonder if I should hold off another year to make my application more competitive. Considering applying to: HKS, Columbia SIPA, Princeton SPIA, JHU SAIS, LSE -- honestly at this point have not done extensive research but any top tier MPA program that I have a shot at. SIPA is of interest so I can stay in New York but overall very open... UG Institution: New York University UG Major: Finance & Management UG GPA: 3.78 Years out of UG: 2 years (as of Fall 2021) Quant background: Microecon (B+), Economics of Global Business (B), Stats (A), Calc 1 (A) - generally didn't do too hot in my quant courses... Relevant work experience (all within the same consulting firm): - Lots of project management experience for a client undergoing a multi-year billion-dollar transformation program; lots of financial reporting & alignment with senior leadership; also had some quant-focused work around performance management - Pro-bono project focused on election supply needs ahead of the 2020 General Election; main client was the founder of a non-profit start-up who was working with various secretary of states (personally had no direct contact w/ secs of state, however) - Non-client related initiatives: Heavily involved w/ my firm's civic engagement/voting advocacy and also a separate initiative around mental health for employees International experience: Semester abroad in Czech Republic, took 1 class on the Middle East at NYU Abu Dhabi GRE: Have not taken yet LoR: Can foresee a few strong recommendations from my current workplace; don't have close relationships to past professors, however... Overall career goals: As it stands, I am interested in social policy, urban planning, humanitarian policy - can be either domestic or international. I am seeking an MPA to develop this knowledge-base and go from there, given my past experiences have been so focused on the private sector. Misc: - In college: Taught incarcerated non-violent offenders about how to navigate the college/job search, using digital tools, etc. as part of NYU's Prison Education Program - Other paths I am considering before MPA: Peace Corps/AmeriCorps (pending COVID), completing a social impact externship (i.e. secondment) under current employer, getting more public-sector and/or international client experience at my current employer TLDR: Private-sector management consultant wanting to change careers, with a focus on policy development, non-profit work, possibly working for a think tank, etc after getting an MPA. After looking at previous posts, I am not sure how competitive I am versus others, and am considering delaying applying for another year (Fall 2023 enrollment) to build up more international/social impact experience. Am I too late for Fall 2022 enrollment? Or am I underselling myself? Any guidance would be greatly greatly appreciated!