GradSchoolGrad - US Policy & IR Programs Podcast: Recent Episodes
GradSchoolGrad
Podcast for thoughts and observations about US Policy & IR Grad Programs from a recent MPP graduate and higher education watcher.
As policy grad schools surge Tech Policy initiatives (fellowships, research opportunities, etc.) in response to the latest interest in AI and data privacy developments, a reality check on the best pathways to tech policy jobs with the government and corporate America is provided (hint: get a certain degree that has a proven track record of landing Tech Policy roles).
The controversy behind the recent release of Dr. Reeves' book research male underperformance - Of Men and Boys reminded me of the lack of support I received from my policy grad school (peers, faculty, and staff) due to the unpopularity of research in male decline in policy school. The takeaway for aspiring and current graduate students is that academic popularity is a powerful force you cannot control. Sometimes, you must be prepared to evolve your academic passions or struggle with the lack of support.
You can find Dr. Reeves' latest book - Of Men and Boys here - https://a.co/d/gJS8xtB
Recommendations on how to prepare to get the best career opportunities in policy/IR grad school.
Recommendations on how to think about a social strategy for entering policy/IR grad programs.
Recommendations on how to think about a financial strategy for entering policy/IR grad programs.
Thoughts on why incoming policy/IR grad students should talk to people in the spaces they are interested in addition to reading books.
A perspective of why incoming policy/IR grad students would benefit from taking some time to prepare for their upcoming experience and some recommended focus areas.
A perspective of trends and prognostic indicators of the "studs" and "duds" of policy grad school alumni.
A perspective on how research institutes at policy/IR grad schools may impact and not impact grad school student experiences.
Anecdotal observations into how mental health culture manifested at one grad student's policy grad program.
Thoughts on good and bad reasons for a Policy/IR Grad student to be a dual degree student (seeking another graduate degree concurrently).
Thoughts on what a policy grad school's digital media (website and social media) reveals and doesn't reveal about the school.
Some basics in understanding consulting career opportunities from Policy/IR grad programs.
Some thoughts about key consideration points for Americans interested in Policy/IR programs at top UK schools. Point of Clarification - all references to Ireland refer to Northern Ireland and not the Republic of Ireland.
Discussion about the female-majority gender imbalance among policy schools' student populations (especially those that don't have student cohorts), the issues observed via the lens of one policy grad's experiences, and the lack of conversation of how to manage the school culture in light of such realities. Perspectives and observations are taken from a feminist perspective for seeking gender equity in professional spaces.
A perspective of how Policy Grad schools (at large) have too many students trying disingenuously take the perceived prestige of being a "social justice warrior" when the true social justice warriors dedicated to taking action to make change are few and far between in policy grad students.
A perspective of when relationships with professors matter and don't matter for Policy/IR grad students.
A perspective of why an emphasis on values and ethics is important for the Policy/IR Grad school experience and selection criteria.
Perspectives and observations that are specific to one grad student's experiences in policy graduate school.
A perspective on what is broadly considered innovative policy grad school research in demand by the popular market, and how academia can on occasion challenge innovative research production.
Broad overview of international students in policy grad programs via the stats and illustrative anecdotes to reflect frequently noted trends. *Note - this is taken from a US student perspective.
A consideration framework for selecting and shifting the policy focus area in policy grad school.
A perspective of how to think about politically-oriented roles after Policy/IR grad school (US student-focused).
A perspective on when it makes sense and doesn't make sense to shoot for a PhD with a Policy or IR professional grad degree en route.
An Independent's take on what has been observed/shared on how those who identify as policy conservatives manage attending policy graduate school as a distinctly noticed minority population.
A perspective of the 5 easiest and 5 hardest policy areas to find a sustainable, well-paying, and good work-life balance job in.
A perspective on security studies vs. general IR grad program for those interested in national security careers (most relevant for US students)
A perspective of some 10 warnings signs to watch out for when considering a Policy or IR Grad. This is meant for prospective students to evaluate schools under consideration for attendance.
Perspective on the pros and cons of approaching IR graduate studies via an area studies pathway vs. a functional approach (or basket of related functions)
A perspective is given how the tendency among policy students to bandwagon on select popular policy focus areas sometimes distracts them from curiously considering achievable opportunities to make a social impact with their policy education.
Perspective is given why a star professor should not be the primary motivating factor for selecting a Policy or IR grad program.
Explanations of situations when another grad degree is a better option over a policy grad degree.
A perspective is given of when a good career services office matters most for the best Policy/IR Grad school experience and what good looks like.
Noting some considerations of when it makes sense and doesn't make sense for someone to go to a professional policy or IR grad program straight from undergrad (centered around US students).
Perspectives are given on how there is a correlation between where a student goes to undergrad and/or prior grad degree and student outcomes. Student outcomes refer to school-based student opportunities attained and competitive career opportunities attained.
Perspectives are highlighted on key things public policy and IR graduate programs care about from a management perspective, and how the knowledge can help you navigate grad school (prospective or current student).
Explanations and illustrations of what a career-focused student environment in grad school looks like and what it looks like when the student environment is not career-focused.
Trend observations of policy grad students among different age/work experience groupings
Thoughts on if it is worth going into debt for attending Harvard Kennedy School if a prospective graduate student has a scholarship at another policy or IR program.
Highlighting the many historical career options out there for an MPP/MPA graduate with some perspectives for each.
A run-down and some highlight thoughts on the 5 DC-area policy schools. Georgetown McCourt, GWU Trachtenberg, UMD SPP, American SPA, and George Mason Schar
A highlight of the Big 7 International Relations graduate programs and general thoughts about each of them in terms of student experience and career opportunities. This refers to Harvard Kennedy, Georgetown Walsh, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Tufts Fletcher, George Washington Elliot, Columbia SIPA, and American SIS.
It is explained how grad schools can either manage their students in a cohort system or free for all system. The pros and cons for each system is explained as to how it impacts the student experience. This serves to better inform graduate school selection and experience navigation.
Inaugural Episode: Explanation on why the US News & World Reports ranking for Policy grad programs is problematic. An alternative perspective is presented that loosely tiers Policy grad programs highlighted based on anecdotal observations (program names tiered presented is not exhaustive, but just a sample)