Careers in public policy

Our graduates help shape the policy decisions that affect their neighborhoods, their countries, and people around the globe

A world of possibilities

Ford School graduates understand the facts. They communicate clearly. They make ethical, principled decisions. They lead for positive change in our communities and nations.

Our world is in urgent need of those skills.

Ford School MPP and MPA alumni come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. And they go on to lead nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and in the private sector. Some hold political office, or they advise policymakers on strategy and policy, and others passionately advocate for issues they care about.

Our Bachelor of Arts in public policy graduates go on to a diverse array of careers—on Capitol Hill, in classrooms, at hospitals, nonprofits, consulting practices, and law firms. They include the chief of staff for a Member of Congress, an assistant attorney general, and a judge.

What will you do with your Ford School degree?

Eric Coughlin
Administrative Assistant

Emma Frazier
Assistant Director, Graduate Career Services

May Skelton
Career Development Specialist

Casey Sullens
Assistant Director, Employer Relations

Gail Tien
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Career Services

Peter Vasher
Director of Career Services

60% of our on-campus employers have an alumni connection

Our alumni are active and engaged.

Post-grad plans by sector, five year average

There are many paths to policy impact.

20% of MPP students intern outside of the U.S. each year

MPP students take internships around the world.

BA careers

Majoring in making a difference: Marking 10 years since our first BAs graduated

That first cohort of 58 graduates has been out in the world for a decade now. The degree has led them to a diverse array of careers–on Capitol Hill,...

Finish reading

BA class of 2009 group photo in front of Rackham

Alumni spotlights

Check out LinkedIn for additional information about the Ford School alumni. See all alumni spotlights here.

“Data matters, and we actually have really good data that shows us why race continues to be a strong predictor of outcomes in education, employment, access to healthcare, and the list goes on.”

“States are the laboratories of democracy...It's really state legislatures where we can see innovative ideas and problem solving.”

“I saw that Ford School students were really good because they were very strong quantitatively, they could write really well, and they were good team players."

“After my first semester of grad school, I knew that I wanted to transition into the health policy field, and work in public service at a local level because I felt like that would give me more of an opportunity to make specific targeted improvements in policy, which can positively contribute to the lives of so many people."

“I use the critical thinking, public speaking, and collaboration skills that I developed at the Ford School in just about every moment of my current work day.”

"The Ford School is unique in that you can feel both completely at home yet challenged to push beyond your comfort zone to think and engage more deeply than you ever thought you could."

“Memos are a key tool of communication in public policy, and the Ford School teaches you how to write them.”

“I encourage students to concentrate on their writing and for different audiences, and, ultimately, applying those tools in the real world by taking theory and putting it into a complex system. The Ford School does a good job of balancing those things and preparing students for careers in the field.”

"The Fed turned out to be exactly the place for me. It’s very focused on financial markets, but from a policy perspective. The environment is really professional. It has been the ideal place for me to match that market interest with my policy interests.”

“The international experience that I gained at the Ford School gave me a perspective on what’s needed, how programs can work, and what they can do to change some people's lives.”

“I prioritized policy schools that are well connected to the economics departments because public policy has multifaceted aspects.”

“Wouldn’t it be great if non-profit organizations and public sector entities utilized some of the evaluation methods, commonly used by the private sector, to measure their performance?”

“Few people realize policy without funding is just conversation.”

“When properly implemented, Social Security is an anti-poverty program. Social security is the biggest anti-poverty program in the country."

“We must be willing to constantly reassess our assumptions to improve policies and programming to keep the people at the center.”

Hands-on, practical policy experiences, including policy simulations, international travel, competitions, internships, and more.

Engaged learning

Nadine Jawad addresses attendees at a celebration of the 100th birthday of Mrs. Betty Ford

The Ford School helps foster a professional growth mindset that contributes to their success in diverse environments.

Preparing leaders

Photo of students and judges at the 2022 Policy Pitch Competition

Students returning from internships pitch their experiences, future goals. Municipal governance, economic inclusion, and environmental action among the topics covered.

Ford School hosts 5th Annual Policy Pitch Competition

A self-described "good government geek," James Hiebert (MPP '23) worked for Senator Gary Peters researching how the federal government allocates grants and bringing his significant local government experience to Capitol Hill.

2023 Riecker Fellow