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Hi guys, I'd like your opinion on the whole debate regarding the use of an MPP/MPA or even a Phd for advancing a career in Economic Policy. Currently, I already have a masters in applied econ and am working as a research assistant in a World Bank country office. The job is great and the deep involvement in policy making is making me realize this is the kind of work I would like to do. However, I don't want to be a research assistant forever and I'm looking for opportunities to advance my career. Would an MPP/MPA be a good idea? or would years of work experience as an RA be an okay substitute for it? Would some years of work experience as an RA be enough to be a policy specialist somewhere? Cheers.

Hi guys, I'd like your opinion on the whole debate regarding the use of an MPP/MPA or even a Phd for advancing a career in Economic Policy. Currently, I already have a masters in applied econ and am working as a research assistant in a World Bank country office. The job is great and the deep involvement in policy making is making me realize this is the kind of work I would like to do. However, I don't want to be a research assistant forever and I'm looking for opportunities to advance my career. Would an MPP/MPA be a good idea? or would years of work experience as an RA be an okay substitute for it? Would some years of work experience as an RA be enough to be a policy specialist somewhere? Cheers.

Hello I'd be grateful If people could give me their opinion regarding my current dilemma. I have recently got admitted into : 1. Graduate Institute of International and development studies (IHEID) for Masters in international Economics 2. LSE for MPA in Public and Economics policy. I am currently in my final year of my undergrad Bachelors in Economics and have been admitted for this fall 2012 batch, so basically I'll be right out of undergrad and going for my masters. I am interested in working in the International trade and development sector and policy making. International organisations like world bank, UNDP etc I really like IHEID's course since International economics is what I really what I want to do and the location couldn't be any better to network and get access in terms of internships and job opportunities with all the international organisations. Plus thinking from a financial point f view, the tuition fees are extremely cheap as compared to LSE. However LSE on the other hand has an excellent MPA programme but there are three problems I see with it: it seems to me a more of professional degree that usually people apply for after a few years of work experience and even though I feel really great in having been accepted, I really don't know whether it's the right degree to do without any work experience. Secondly it doesn't leave the possibility of an econ phd open for me. Not like I have an plans, since I definitely want to work after my masters for a few years, but I'd still want to keep that option open. Lastly it's highly expensive as compared to IHEID. So what I'd really like to know is whether if I decide to go for IHEID will I be giving up on a really good offer? Which of the two degrees are a better fit for me right now nd open up the job prospects in the field I want to work in? Thanks :)

Hi everyone, I am an international student and have been lucky enough to get into Georgetown (MPP) in Washington and Master in Development Management & Policy (in Buenos Aires), LSE (MPA) and Hertie School of Governance´s MPP (in Berlin). Georgetown is very appealing but also student fees are much higher, so does LSE. I like Hertie and offers dual programs but seems to be less well-known. Would the Argentinean location hurt the degree? In the future I would like to work for some environmental / development agency or international organization. If any of you has any experience in any of those schools or in that sector it would be really appreciated if you could share your thoughts. Thanks!