Domestic to international and back again?

[chelaylay]

In the immediate future, I'd like to work internationally (or based in the US but on international issues) within international development. But I could see myself working on education or other social policy issues in the US later in my career. I know public health types do this but not sure about others. How easy is it to go back and forth? Does having a public policy degree with a domestic focus typically (and some international concentration or classes) or a international affairs degree with a focus on these policy issues, facilitate this better one way or another?

 

I'm planning to start a degree at Georgetown in the fall but am wondering if I'm looking at needing another degree down the road if I wanted to be able to shift back later. Functionally the skillsets I'd learn in an MPP or a international affairs degree are incredibly close though...I just wonder if an employer would be able to recognize that for the latter. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who's done this at all in their career.

[KenBesonders]

I really want to emphasize, especially to the forum in general, is that not to inflate the value of your degree over tangible skills you gain from work experience.

If you want to work on international development, either a MPP or MAIR would be suitable for an educational background. What matters is how you develop yourself with that degree and how you build your network. I would highly reccomend against going back for a second degree for the purpose of shifting your job field.

Employers do not care so much about your degree, but rather the skills you obtain and potential you show.