For employers | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

For employers

Hire tomorrow's policy leaders dedicated to the public good.

Find the skilled, passionate public leaders your agency or organization needs to tackle the world’s most urgent and complex challenges.

We understand that finding the right talent is crucial to achieving your mission. The career services team at the Ford School is ready to connect you with candidates who bring expertise, creativity, and a commitment to the public good. From job listings to on-campus interviews, we guide you through the recruitment process, making it seamless and effective.

Why hire Ford School graduates?

Students at the Ford School are diverse, engaged, and passionate. Our programs prepare them to think analytically, communicate effectively, lead, and collaborate to solve complex problems. The Ford School curriculum emphasizes an applied approach to policy education so that our students have hands-on, practical experiences, they understand real-world challenges and go on to lead in organizations across various sectors, addressing critical public policy issues like health care, education, energy, and more. See how our graduates can help fulfill your mission:

  • Equip your organization with graduates who excel in research, analytical, and communication skills specifically tailored to solve complex policy challenges. Their experience in real-world policy analysis and consulting projects ensures they can hit the ground running.

    Harness the power of a student body that brings varied backgrounds and fresh insights. This diversity fuels creative problem-solving and meaningful change, making them valuable contributors to your team.

    Strengthen your leadership pool with graduates armed with rigorous academic training and a commitment to public service. They are prepared to lead initiatives in government, non-profits, and private sectors, aligning with your organizational goals.

 

 

 

The Career Services team at the 2025 DC Trip
“ Our mission is to connect talented students with employers, creating opportunities for meaningful careers in public policy.

Our career services team connects employers with talented Ford School students, ensuring a smooth and effective recruitment process.

Diverse leaders of tomorrow. Find them here.

Explore how our undergraduates, master's graduates, and doctoral candidates use their education to tackle complex public policy challenges and create significant impact.

Undergrad at the 2025 DC Trip
Our students

Undergraduates

Our bachelor's programs challenge and inspire Michigan's most passionate public policy students. Undergraduates gain the ability to critically analyze policy challenges from a multidisciplinary perspective, preparing them for careers as policy analysts, legislative aides, and public affairs officers. Many graduates also contribute to service organizations like Teach for America or or continue their academic journeys in graduate or professional schools.
Student speaking at 2025 DC Trip
Our students

MPP/MPA graduates

Ford School master’s students possess a comprehensive skill set in research, analytics, and communication, paired with a nuanced understanding of policy processes. Through rigorous coursework and practical experiences such as internships and simulations, they are equipped to address complex policy challenges and thrive in government, non-profits, consultancies, international agencies, and the private sector.
PhD student getting hooded at commencement
Our students

Doctoral candidates

Joint PhD candidates at the Ford School rigorously apply social science methodologies to address pressing public policy questions. With sophisticated research and analytical skills, they engage in comprehensive interdisciplinary policy analysis. This prepares them for prestigious academic roles at top universities or impactful research positions with organizations such as the World Bank, U.S. Treasury, and the Federal Reserve Board.
Jai Singletary
Strengths

The Ford School difference

Game-changing discoveries; actionable policy solutions; rigorous, applied courses; and our powerful and growing network of alumni make real and lasting difference in the world.
Why the Ford School?
Lora Cirhigiri
Our alumni

Consider the possibilities

Our graduates help shape the policy decisions that affect their neighborhoods, their countries, and people around the globe. Explore our alumni's impact on the world.
Your career.
Spirit of Detroit

Detroit

We tackle critical challenges that support the people of Detroit and its surrounding communities.

MPP student demographics (2024-25)

MPP countries of origin

14

International MPP students

32%

MPP students of color (U.S. only)

27%

MPP average age

26

MPP avg years work experience

3.6

Internship Requirements

GCS employer relations manager Casey Sullens breaks down the requirements for the MPP student internship experience, from criteria the internship itself has to meet to the work the student must accomplish.

Internship Requirements

Additional University of Michigan resources

The University of Michigan has more than 20 career offices that work with employers to address their specialized recruiting needs. Hire Blue features tools to connect employers with the appropriate career offices. Many job fairs are offered through U-M’s central Career Center.

The Business Engagement Center helps businesses identify key resources and facilitates university/industry partnerships in research, student recruiting, technology licensing, continuing education and more.

 

Learn more about our programs

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