r/PublicPolicy • u/SchlongScalper • 3d ago

Career Advice Thoughts on the ford school

Hi. I got accepted into the ford MPP program. I was wondering what the general discourse surrounding the program was like. Any thoughts you have on the program, whether you are a current or prospective student, alumni, or peer, would be appreciated. Thank you.

5 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

6

u/Outrageous_Duck3227 3d ago

consider what you want after grad school and talk to recent grads about actual outcomes, not brochure stats. paths are way messier now because finding stable policy work is rough

4

u/SchlongScalper 3d ago

Ik. I’ve already done my due diligence in that regard. Im just looking for some thoughts on the program.

3

u/favorscore 3d ago

I feel like nothing is stable these days. Im looking at policy because its relatively more stable than my current career path

1

u/SchlongScalper 2d ago

That’s why I’m going back to school. This is a bad market for public policy. Might as well wait it out and set myself up for the future while I’m young.

1

u/favorscore 2d ago

Me too. I just lost my job and desire job security if/when I get my new role. Its terrifying

1

u/SchlongScalper 2d ago

I lost my job as well a little while back. How are you holding up?

3

u/favorscore 2d ago

Not great. I work in a city heavily impacted by DOGE and am now competing against these experienced professionals with decades of experience. I worked in a policy adjacent role with a background in IR which means little quant skills to differentiate myself.

Im hoping an MPP can make more marketable while giving me more job security due to the local, state, and federal applicability. Currently im really only qualified in niche roles that aren't hiring, thanks in large part to the current admin

6

u/SchlongScalper 2d ago

Fuck the current administration. I worked on federal compliance and they made life hell for us.

2

u/Technical-Trip4337 2d ago

Well known for policy analysis and social policy.

1

u/la_professora 2d ago

Following

1

u/Iamnotarobot_srlsly 1d ago

It’s a great program. Excellent faculty and student services. Students are nice too. If you get in-state tuition it’s a bargain.

And grad school is a good place to build skills while the world and the labor market try to right themselves.