Opportunities after George Mason/Mercatus MA in Econ?

[tacos95]

So I got a good offer, as far as masters programs are concerned, with GMU through the Mercatus Center for the MA in Economics. Tuition is covered plus a significant stipend for both years.

I'm trying to think through ramifications for career opportunities though. I'm wondering if the fairly obvious ideological bent of those institutions (school and Center are both definitely pretty libertarian) and generally heterodox nature of the department compared to the wider discipline of economics will typecast me when I'm looking for my first post-grad school position. While I'm not intellectually averse to the institutional and Austrian economics, I'm wondering how everybody thinks this would affect my opportunities for work afterwards. I'm nervous that I would only be able to land jobs at Cato, or Mercatus itself and other libertarian type places, or, worst case, something private sector. It's also just not a super highly ranked program overall.

It's a bit different of a program, but my other option at this point is the SAIS MA in International Econ with second concentration TBD. This is clearly a much more widely respected institution, especially in DC and especially in government. I have significant funding from SAIS, but it's not nearly the same on net. I can handle to take on some debt for this, but I'm just wracking my brains over whether it's worth it.

For background, I went to a tiny, no-name liberal arts college, so in some ways I feel like I need to go a little more prestigious if I'm going to the trouble to get a second degree.

Ideally, I want to end up in a big-name think tank or government as a policy analyst, eventually with chances to write for a relatively broad audience. (posting in government affairs for this reason and because both MAs aren't really academic Econ track)

If anybody has thoughts, they would be greatly appreciated.

[frdaa19]

As a big fan of public choice theory and Marginal Revolution, I think GMU/Mercatus would make a wonderful place for you to learn (no, I didn’t apply myself). I personally don’t think the school’s ideology or approach to economics would have significant implications for your future careers in policy or private sectors. But it might to certain extent have a role to play if you’re thinking of pursuing academic or think tank routes.