Job satisfaction for MPP/MPA/PhD graduates

[MMM2015]

Does anyone have any acquaintances, friends, or family who obtained an MPP, MPA, or Phd in public policy and are now working in the policy field?  If so, does your friend/family member seem satisfied with their career choice?  I know the policy field is a very broad field and I'm sure job satisfaction varies, but I'm just trying to get a general sense of morale.  Thanks in advance for any input.

[ridofme]

I'm sorry your question hasn't gotten a response - I'm really just here to bump it up. On GC we hear a lot from applicants, recent admits, and occasionally current students. It would be good to hear more from those who are 3-10 years out, to see what directions their lives have taken. (I've really enjoyed reading the thread with the current FSO, for example). I think that would help resolve a lot of the questions people have on this forum about job prospects, finances, job satisfaction, the "value" of these degrees, etc.

[DisaffectedCog]

I'll answer.  I graduated from an IR program that was top 10 when I attended (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Ivory_Tower).  I've had an... interesting career.  None of it really related to my MA.  My salary is okay, but I definitely don't make more than most of my friends who only have bachelor's degrees. I work in technology now, and have basically have resigned myself to simply being a corporate cog (hence my user name) for the rest of my life.  I feel like unless you are at one of the big names on the East Coast, IR degrees are not a great value proposition (and even the East Coast programs are wildly expensive.) 

 

I don't have a terrible job, and I make a fair amount of money, but watching my friends with bachelor's degrees only zip by me salary-wise is galling, and makes me question why I gave up two years and tons of income potential for a degree that has basically become an extended bachelor's on the job market. 

[mrgreen102]

I'll answer.  I graduated from an IR program that was top 10 when I attended (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Ivory_Tower).  I've had an... interesting career.  None of it really related to my MA.  My salary is okay, but I definitely don't make more than most of my friends who only have bachelor's degrees. I work in technology now, and have basically have resigned myself to simply being a corporate cog (hence my user name) for the rest of my life.  I feel like unless you are at one of the big names on the East Coast, IR degrees are not a great value proposition (and even the East Coast programs are wildly expensive.) 

 

I don't have a terrible job, and I make a fair amount of money, but watching my friends with bachelor's degrees only zip by me salary-wise is galling, and makes me question why I gave up two years and tons of income potential for a degree that has basically become an extended bachelor's on the job market. 

Do you think it would have helped if you had done something related to your master's degree?  I know that IR programs rarely lead to extremely high paying jobs (unless you go into something like international finance or consulting but that's something else entirely).  But shouldn't an IR master's degree give you an immediate advantage over someone who does not have an advanced degree?

[ridofme]

I'll answer.  I graduated from an IR program that was top 10 when I attended (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Ivory_Tower).  I've had an... interesting career.  None of it really related to my MA.  My salary is okay, but I definitely don't make more than most of my friends who only have bachelor's degrees. I work in technology now, and have basically have resigned myself to simply being a corporate cog (hence my user name) for the rest of my life.  I feel like unless you are at one of the big names on the East Coast, IR degrees are not a great value proposition (and even the East Coast programs are wildly expensive.) 

 

I don't have a terrible job, and I make a fair amount of money, but watching my friends with bachelor's degrees only zip by me salary-wise is galling, and makes me question why I gave up two years and tons of income potential for a degree that has basically become an extended bachelor's on the job market. 

 

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

How many years ago did you graduate, and did you have trouble finding a job in your intended field? Would you say your situation is typical of others in your cohort?

 

Do you think that the big name East Coast schools are more valuable because of their prestige or location? What region was your school in, what region are you in now, and wherever you are geographically, are you there by choice?