Any Journalists Switching to Public Policy?

[disgruntled]

Was reading through the threads earlier and noticed that there were some fellow journalists who applied to MPP programs.

I'm wondering if there are still some people around to see how their transition went.

Did you guys have any trouble with admissions considering journalism is not directly policy-related?

[bongin]

Hi,

I had major in Journalism and Communication in college.

I'm now preparing to apply IR or MPP with IR concentration program for 2011 fall.

With a year professional experience and 2 internship in media,

I think journalism background has both strength and drawback.

For strength,

our experience is very different from those working in public sector or NGO.

That means if we know how to link it with public affairs in SOP precisely,

we could be somehow outstanding and unique.

For drawback,

our theoretical foundational is not enough comparing those had major in Politics or Economics.

Therefore, I took some courses in these two fields to show my interest and ability to study in public affairs.

I think switching track is a tough work when it comes to admission.

However, once you know how to "market" yourself,

it would not be a barrier but a advantage.