RTR13

Specifically Western or Northern Europe? Anyone out there? It seems like every other area studies (Asian, Latin America, Russian/Eurasia) is on this site but no European Studies Any advice?

While I agree with MYRNIST for the most part, I think that he's assuming that all European Studies programs don't include things such as "analyze a policy issue, manage an organization..." however that's not true. I'm looking at a European studies program right now where part of the curriculum specifically includes a project management course, there’s also a strong emphasis on analyzing European public policy, as well as internship placement during the program with European institutions both private and public. Best part is it’s in Europe at a top 100 university! In fact there are tons of European studies programs both domestic (US) and abroad just like the one I mentioned, all from from highly respected universities. About actual employment, your student visa while you're in graduate school allows you to work in the EU and countries such as Denmark allow six months after you graduate to look for employment (find a job=you get to stay, yay!!). I would argue if it came down between two candidates (who we’ve establish both have training in practical matters) and one had a said “practical” degree and had been to Europe a couple of times and one had a degree in European studies and had wrote his/her thesis relating to said “practical” area, had a “practical” type internship (all of these possibilities in a European Studies program) and had lived in Europe for two years, they would get the job in the European section of the World Bank, State Department, Booz Allen Hamilton, etc. It’s all about what unique qualities do you bring to the table? They are going to have hundreds of MPAs, MPPs, MBAs filing in and out of the human relations department, if you can prove you have multidimensional practical as well as specialized education/experience in what you love, you’re golden. It may be a slight risk but the opportunities to succeed are definitely there plus you’ll truly be studying what you’re passionate about!!! And it will definitely pay off in comparison to everyone who took the safe path (typical practical degree). Just the other day, I read a Wall Street Journal article that not only said business majors are a dime a dozen but “companies say they need flexible thinkers with innovative ideas and a broad knowledge base derived from exposure to multiple disciplines.” Bottom line: Do what you love, it may seem unconventional/risky but it really isn’t, in the end the overall pay-off is much more rewarding then those who played it “safe.” “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost On a side not: most MPA, MPP, MBA programs required 2-3 years of prior professional experience (they are after all known as professional degrees), which I’m assuming you don’t have.