GradSchoolGrad - US Policy & IR Programs Podcast

Epilogue 1: Tech Policy and Policy Grad Schools

Sun, 07 May 2023 03:18:11 GMT

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).

Preparing to Evolve your Research due to Lack of Academic Support

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 01:07:58 GMT

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

Preparing Professionally for Policy/IR Grad Programs

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 03:03:32 GMT

Recommendations on how to prepare to get the best career opportunities in policy/IR grad school.

Preparing Socially for Policy/IR Grad Programs

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 02:53:12 GMT

Recommendations on how to think about a social strategy for entering policy/IR grad programs.

Preparing Financially for Policy/IR Grad Programs

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 02:52:03 GMT

Recommendations on how to think about a financial strategy for entering policy/IR grad programs.

Preparing Academically for Policy/IR Grad Programs

Mon, 23 May 2022 15:00:29 GMT

A perspective on how to prepare academically for policy/IR grad programs

Preparing for Policy/IR Grad School is More than Reading Books

Fri, 20 May 2022 20:14:14 GMT

Thoughts on why incoming policy/IR grad students should talk to people in the spaces they are interested in addition to reading books.

Why You Want to Prepare for Policy/IR Grad School and What to Focus On

Fri, 20 May 2022 19:28:30 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: Looking Back - "Studs" and "Duds" at Policy Grad School

Sat, 14 May 2022 22:22:00 GMT

A perspective of trends and prognostic indicators of the "studs" and "duds" of policy grad school alumni.

Research Institutes at Policy/IR Grad Schools - What They Mean for Students

Sat, 14 May 2022 22:13:15 GMT

A perspective on how research institutes at policy/IR grad schools may impact and not impact grad school student experiences.

Policy Perspective: Mental Health Culture at My Policy Grad Program

Sat, 14 May 2022 22:07:51 GMT

Anecdotal observations into how mental health culture manifested at one grad student's policy grad program.

When Dual Degreeing is a Good and Bad Idea for Policy/IR Grad Students

Thu, 12 May 2022 03:13:11 GMT

Thoughts on good and bad reasons for a Policy/IR Grad student to be a dual degree student (seeking another graduate degree concurrently).

Policy Perspective: How to Understand a Policy Grad School's Digital Media

Thu, 12 May 2022 03:11:28 GMT

Thoughts on what a policy grad school's digital media (website and social media) reveals and doesn't reveal about the school.

Understanding the Consulting Opportunity from Policy/IR Grad Programs

Mon, 09 May 2022 16:26:23 GMT

Some basics in understanding consulting career opportunities from Policy/IR grad programs.

UK Policy/IR Grad Programs - What You Need to Know

Mon, 09 May 2022 16:03:10 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: Policy Grad Schools' Gender Imbalance Issue No One Wants to Talk About

Fri, 06 May 2022 17:40:25 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: From the View of an Independent - Not Enough "Social Justice Warriors" in Policy Grad School

Wed, 04 May 2022 04:34:25 GMT

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.

When it Matters for Policy/IR Grad Students to Build Relationships with Professors

Tue, 03 May 2022 02:09:21 GMT

A perspective of when relationships with professors matter and don't matter for Policy/IR grad students.

10 Networking Mistakes by Policy/IR Grad Students

Tue, 03 May 2022 02:05:56 GMT

Observations of networking mistakes made by Policy/IR grad students.

Values and Ethics - Why You Want to Go to a Policy/IR Grad Program that Values Them

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 04:44:03 GMT

A perspective of why an emphasis on values and ethics is important for the Policy/IR Grad school experience and selection criteria.

Policy Perspective: Tales of Dating within My Policy Program

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 03:07:15 GMT

Perspectives and observations that are specific to one grad student's experiences in policy graduate school.

Policy Perspective: What is "Innovative" Policy Research

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:07:29 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: International Students - Who they Are and Frequently Noted Dynamics

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 00:50:36 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: Consideration Factors for Selecting and Shifting Your Policy Focus Area

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 12:55:16 GMT

A consideration framework for selecting and shifting the policy focus area in policy grad school.

Approaching Political Roles after Policy/IR Grad School (US student-focused)

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 12:46:29 GMT

A perspective of how to think about politically-oriented roles after Policy/IR grad school (US student-focused).

When it Makes Sense to do Policy/IR Grad Program En Route to a PhD

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 18:45:19 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: From the View of an Independent - Being a Conservative in Policy Grad School

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 20:11:11 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: The 5 Easiest and 5 Hardest Policy Focus Areas to get a Stable Job In

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 19:07:17 GMT

A perspective of the 5 easiest and 5 hardest policy areas to find a sustainable, well-paying, and good work-life balance job in.

IR Pathways: Security Studies vs. General IR Program for National Security Careers

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 18:29:17 GMT

A perspective on security studies vs. general IR grad program for those interested in national security careers (most relevant for US students)

10 Warning Signs About a Policy/IR Grad Program to Watch Out For

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:42:08 GMT

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.

IR Pathways: Area Studies vs. Functional Approach

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:48:52 GMT

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)

Policy Perspective: How the Bandwagon Effect Sometimes Distracts Policy Students from Making Social Impact

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:22:20 GMT

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.

Why You Shouldn't go to a Policy/IR Grad School Just for a Star Professor

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 03:23:59 GMT

Perspective is given why a star professor should not be the primary motivating factor for selecting a Policy or IR grad program.

Policy Perspective: When a Policy Grad Degree is not the Best Degree Option

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:29:01 GMT

Explanations of situations when another grad degree is a better option over a policy grad degree.

What a Good Career Services Looks Like and When It Matters Most

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 20:31:29 GMT

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.

Going to Policy/IR Grad School Straight From Undergrad - When it Makes Sense and Doesn't Make Sense

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 20:20:45 GMT

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).

Undergrad and/or Prior Grad can Impact Student Outcomes

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 12:24:30 GMT

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.

How Policy/IR Grad Schools Manage Themselves and Why You Should Care

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 03:46:51 GMT

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).

10 Mistakes Policy and IR Grad Students Make

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:18:03 GMT

10 mistakes made by policy and IR grad students are discussed and explained

What Does it Mean to Have a Career Focused Environment in Grad School

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 17:14:23 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: Policy Grad Student Trends by Age/Work Experience Groupings

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:10:33 GMT

Trend observations of policy grad students among different age/work experience groupings

Is Harvard Kennedy School Worth Going In Debt For?

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 04:43:04 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: Policy Grad Job Options General Overview

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 04:57:41 GMT

Highlighting the many historical career options out there for an MPP/MPA graduate with some perspectives for each.

Policy Perspective: The 5 DC Area Public Policy Graduate Programs Run-Down

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 04:33:42 GMT

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

IR Pathways: A Perspective on the Big 7 International Relations Grad Programs

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 02:23:26 GMT

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.

Student Experience: Cohort System vs. Free For All System

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:43:31 GMT

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.

Policy Perspective: Thinking about Competitive US Policy Grad Program Rankings

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 03:09:50 GMT

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)