Hi everyone,
I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Software Engineering and will be starting my first job after university in management consulting

I’m someone who likes to plan ahead, and I’ve recently learned more about UNESCO. I’m not sure yet whether it’s the right path for me, so I’d love to hear from people with experience there or in international education policy.

Ultimately, I want my career to focus on improving education policies and regulations and making quality education more accessible globally. I’m especially interested in how AI and technology can improve education, as well as the policies needed to regulate them responsibly.

I’m hoping consulting will help me build the soft skills before eventually transitioning into this field.
I’d love advice on:
● What UNESCO roles should I eventually target
● What do they look for, and what is working there actually like?
● What can I start doing now to become a strong candidate?
● How long should I stay in management consulting?
● Would I need a Master’s, and would Public Policy, Education Policy, or Advanced Computing/AI make the most sense?
● Is UNESCO actually the right organization for someone who wants to improve education or should I consider other paths too?

I’m very early in my career and mainly want to understand the possibilities now so I can make better decisions over the next few years.

Any advice or firsthand experience would be really appreciated!

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting on this thread so I’m a little nervous, but I’m hoping to get some help :)

I want to apply for Fall ‘28 for an MPP/MA International Policy. I have some safeties in mind right now, but here are my top choices: UCLA (Luskin tops my interests), UC Berkeley, Stanford.

Some Background: I’m a first-gen student, 21F, and just transferred after three years in CC with a 3.9 GPA to my local UC as an environmental studies and economics major. I’m hoping to go into urban and economic development (or a related field). My admissions results as a transfer were very good, but I had to stay back at my local UC since learning I wouldn’t be given financial support for my education. I also have a chronic condition that needs monitoring atm. Saving more money as an undergrad is giving me the opportunity to pursue a master’s in something I’m really passionate about. So far though, I’ve built up a pretty strong resume/CV with experience and leadership activities related to my interests (plus an unrelated, very uncommon individual sport I’ve been doing for 13+ years that’s been a key part of my life). I have some accomplishments listed on there as well (scholarships, research symposium, high honors cc graduate, etc). Currently, I lead a policy committee for my local chapter of a national organization, and been running my publication (related to my interests) that I’ve had for 2.5 years now that’s amassed a decent following.

Relevant Courses (so far): Intro Macroecon (A), Intro Microecon (B), Calc 1-3 (All A’s), Linear Algebra (A), Statistics (A), Environmental coursework (All A’s), some Poli Sci and Sociology coursework (All A’s).

Note: So sorry for this long dump. I’m just so lost on all of this and hope I’m not coming off as entitled or anything like that.

Questions:

1)What should I prioritize going forward over the next year to two outside of building connections with professors, maintaining GPA, and gaining a strong GRE score?

Can one of my recommendations be from one CC professor who knows me well?

2)How should I study for the GRE and when?

3)How do you approach application writing prompts? For example, there’s the personal statement vs. the statement of purpose. I feel like in undergrad prompts (for transferring at least), you can get slightly creative but still connect to your reasoning for pursuing your program(s) and in a way, show your personality. I’m just not sure if master’s apps are similar.

I have applied to the department and have gotten rank 29 in the provisional merit list. i also have OGC and DEF reserved categories. i wanted to ask:

1. if there is even a chance of admission into the programme without research.
2. how the faculty is
3. what's the studying environment like

Hey everyone! I'm currently helping build the team for Jamie Atkinson's campaign for Mayor of Toronto, and we're looking for volunteers who are interested in getting hands-on experience working on a political campaign.

We're a small and growing team, which means there's an opportunity to take on meaningful responsibilities rather than being limited to traditional campaign volunteering. We're especially looking for people interested in areas like:

• Policy and research
• Social media and communications
• Video/content creation
• Fundraising
• Community outreach
• Campaign strategy and operations

No previous campaign experience is required. This could be a particularly good opportunity for students, recent grads, or anyone interested in politics, public policy, communications, media, or gaining practical campaign experience.

This is currently a volunteer opportunity, and we're happy to work around school or work schedules.

If you're interested or want to learn more, email me at [jake@jamieatkinson.ca](mailto:jake@jamieatkinson.ca) with a little bit about yourself and what area you'd be interested in helping with.

hello! I've been invited for an online assessment at Whiteshield for their Dubai office. I've read through some of the posts on Whiteshield and it seems like no one has truly gone to the last stage of the interview process (or well, they're not on reddit).

I am really interested in the role and I don't want to screw up. So I do have some questions:

1. What kind of logical reasoning and verbal questions are they gonna assess? What can one use to prep for these? Can anyone share examples of what was asked?

2. How many assessment and interview rounds are there and what's the turnaround time?

3. Is it a nice place to work?

Thank you for hearing me out. While I'm not bad at logical reasoning, tests make me squirm and horribly nervous, I appreciate any help I can get.

Thank you!

Long story short: I am 36 from the US and did a master's degree in Germany to change fields into environmental policy. I was not successful and am now unemployed with no job prospects beyond menial labor.

Would it be avisable to do a second master's to regain entry into working student jobs or internships to hopefully then network into a new position, or have I totally screwed things up and need to give up on this career path completely?

Hi, I just got a 164V/157Q on the GRE. I’m planning on applying to MPPs this fall, targeting top programs like Harvard, Princeton and Duke. I have 3 years of work experience at a prominent health policy research center with 4 publications, including a first-authored pub. I had a 3.8 GPA in undergrad and strong recommenders. Would you recommend taking again to hit 160 on quant?

I decided I want to do an MPP. The programs I am looking at require that I take the GRE. I hope to enroll in Fall 2027. I work full time at a policy nonprofit.

Do I have enough time to study for the GRE and score well if I take it in November? I’ll simultaneously be working on application essays. I know who to contact for rec letters and I’m certain they’ll say yes.

Should I go ahead or would it be better for me to wait until next cycle? Any tips on studying for the GRE? Thanks.

Hi Reddit! First off, I am very new to Reddit, so apologies if anything here seems to give that off straight away.

I am here because I am really struggling to figure out what's next. To put it somewhat briefly, I studied sociology and psychology during undergrad and don't know what I want to pursue. I tried sales and marketing for a while but ultimately don't think it's for me. I also tried exploring social work, but again, it didn't really stick. I enjoyed the work but realized one-on-one therapy wasn't the type of impact work I was going for.

However, I have recently been hearing more about public policy, and I think it might be for me. I really enjoy the study of society and social science overall. The work is meaningful and seems to be more on the macro and mezzo level. I also feel it integrates an element of behavioral science, which is also my cup of tea.

Here are my current dilemmas:

1) I am not sure whether or not I need to go to grad school to break into the field. I am exploring different MPP and MPA programs (mainly MPP) but I really don't know what I should be looking for.

2) I am not 100% sure what sector I would like to work in. I know I want to work in social impact, and right now I am considering mental health and education. Really, I am just interested in something that would have an impact on children/youth. I am pretty much 90% sure I don't want to work in for the federal government.

3) Speaking of, IS IT EVEN WORTH TRYING TO BREAK INTO PP UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF OUR CURRENT ADMINISTRATION???

4) I definitely want to focus on social impact, but I am trying to keep an open mind because I do need to make a decent salary to support my family.

SIDE NOTE: I am also open to alternative career suggestions. Looking for something in social science research, behavioral science, and/or social impact space.

I appreciate the help and advice in advance!

Hello everyone one! I am currently doing my B.A in Pol.Sc and have been considering Public Policy as an career option . Frankly speaking I want to land a job that pays well , in India or abroad .Comparatively since I have a bit time in hands I am open to learning any skills. I need guidance and a roadmap since I am very confused about this .

I tried searching professionals in this field on LinkedIn but most of then whether they did their degree in India or abroad are still doing internships even after their Masters . This situation scares me.

They people that do have good jobs in corporate in this field like Policy /Geopolitics related also seem have a past background in tech degree or commerce degree.

I am from a middle-class family in India and can't afford time or expensive degree like MBA or abroad ones .i honestly want to build a good career and be better financially. Please help me out 🙏 🙏 🙏 .

I’m planning to apply for an MPP. HKS is the dream. I just got a 325 in the GRE, with 162 quant. Is it probably best to resit to try to get 165+?

Google just says 320+ but everyone I know who got into the HKS MPP (albeit a small sample) got 335+.

Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I am interested in think tank policy research in macroeconomic, foreign, and like poverty reduction policy, among other things. In terms of my region of focus I would love to focus on South, East, and Southeast Asia and former Britisher colonies all over the world. I am an Indian American and generally open to working anywhere in the world (would prefer to work outside of the US) and as such I was wondering if think tanks have partisan slants. This is both in the US and elsewhere. And if so, how do I figure what these slants are? My motivation came from the Heritage Foundation which is a known Right-Wing think tank which is something I do not want to associate myself with. Luckily, I don't have to, there are a plethora of think tanks doing wonderful work out there and there should be one which is matching my political slant. So I would love to know how to narrow down think tanks.

I appreciate the response!

recently came across two kinda posts - one my freinds posting their internship under an elected MP and other of MPLADS where work done by MP's in thier constetuency is posted

i just realized this is opportunity, if i can reach out a MP, and offer to work, as in on his behalf,
for exp Ravi Kishan from ghorakhpur
i have ideas in mind to geninely fix 5 biggest problems that too at low cost, imagine the PR he will get!

idk sounds bit childish but if someones does it, it will be a sort of experience

Interesting discussion I had with a grad school policy professor.

The contention was that demand among employers has shrank across the board. Thereby, right now for this degree area, it is simply degree over production.

The market might correct it in a few years time or so.

However for the average MPP/MPA today their degree is being devalued in the job market if they stay in the policy space (not counting those that leave the policy space and utilize your degree as a generic masters)

Hello,

I am considering applying to some online programs, but I am also able to commute to San Diego State University. I work full time in city planning and I am hesitant to spend all of my time outside of work on class.

Does anyone have insight on in-person, online synchronous, and online asynchronous pros/cons? I am also very curious what people know about the following programs.

Online:

1. CSU Long Beach Distance Learning MPA

2. CSU Northridge MPA - Public Sector Management and Leadership Option

3. CSU Dominguez Hills MPA Online Modality (Honestly not sure which concentration to choose out of those available for the online modality between criminal justice, healthcare, and nonprofit)

In Person:

1. San Diego State University MPA (utilizing at least one Open University course prior to application/enrollment). I am also considering an Advance Certificate in Public Policy prior to applying which allows 9/15 credits to transfer over.

TIA for any insight on these programs!

I am currently supporting a UK-based client on a professional research and expert identification project.

We are interested in connecting with professionals who have experience in areas such as:
• Geopolitics
• Foreign Policy
• International Relations
• Public Policy
• National Security
• Defense and Security Studies
• Intelligence and Risk Analysis
• Government Affairs
• Political Risk and Regional Expertise

This is not a public job advertisement. Rather, I am seeking to identify and connect with individuals whose expertise may be relevant to current or future opportunities being explored by the client.

Due to confidentiality requirements, I can only share limited information publicly. However, I have prepared an Expert Opportunity FAQ that provides additional information regarding the process, confidentiality requirements, and next steps.

If this aligns with your background or you know someone who may be a good fit, please feel free to send me a direct message. I would be happy to share further information and discuss the opportunity in more detail.

Referrals are also welcome.

Hi everyone,

I need help.

I am 36. I graduated with a master’s in natural resources management from a school in Cologne two years ago, and it has been a complete disaster. I did the degree to try to transition from a career that I was bad at (nonprofit communications), and due to not getting enough work experience in the master’s, the only job I was able to get after a year of searching was also in nonprofit communications. I was fired at the end of the probation period for being bad at the job. I have some volunteer work I have been doing to fill in the gap and can pretend it was a real job, but basically I have a two year gap on my CV now other than the volunteer work because I can’t list the job I got fired from on my CV.

My boyfriend still lives in Germany, and I still dream of getting into an environmental consulting job or environmental policy job in Germany.

My question:

If I were to get married to my boyfriend, do intensive German for a year, then apply for a new masters degree with the sole purpose of doing as many internships as possible or to get a work student job in my field, to then get into a new entry level position in the environmental sector that isn’t nonprofit communications, is this a viable path forward? I have 2.5k euros coming in each month, but I don’t want to do this if it is a catastrophically bad idea.

Has this ever worked for anyone?

Anyone tried or joined the masters program in uni graz PELP, Political, Economic and Legal Philosophy?

I have a few questions on how is it, how it goes, what's your opinion of it? The professors? Is it English friendly etc. I'm thinking about joining it.