What to do with an MBA/MPP?

[neg64]

I'm interested in applying to MBA/MPP programs but am struggling with identifying what to do with these 2 degrees post graduation that demonstrates the value they BOTH bring to the table. I have 4.5 years of consulting experience under my belt and know that my passion lies in between policy and business. I'm struggling now with what to hope to do with that in the future (beyond the generic consulting answer).

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

[Behavioral]

The only jobs I can think of that will integrate both would be consulting, working in think tanks, or working in politics.

[queller]

It might potentially help to flip this question slightly. Perhaps ask what do you want to do with the Master of Public Policy (what I'm assuming MPP to mean ). Unless you are going into a pure business field the MBA is more like something in your back pocket which proves you know basic business knowledge. Places that hire individuals with MPP have managers and directors which likely have to know the business end of the business giving you a foothold there.

I understand you are looking for things that explicitly use both but it is likely the positions that use both are rather senior positions so for the beginning of your career (unless you are lucky) the MBA might just sit as general knowledge in your back pocket.

[vegeta]

If you are in federal consulting, then expect coming in at a higher level or jumping to a better company. The pay difference between the degrees is massive, assuming you go to a top 25 MBA program (95-110k + a signing bonus vs. 65-70k at a good MPP program).

If you are not in the federal consulting business but want to get into it, a dual degree would certainly help but you can prob get by just one of either. The hard part of the MPP is getting into a job with real policy work (assuming then you don't want federal consulting). While many people go to think tanks and NGOs, you will need to make sure that your school places people at the types of Agencies where you want to work (Labor, DoD, State etc.) if you want federal work over thinktanks.

However, its important to note that going into the private sector, federal consulting aside, with an MPP is hard. If you have 6 years of WE by the time you apply, you should be a sitting pretty for many MPPs if not MPAs. That said, this is a #s game so a respectable GRE is important.