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,...

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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.

Reflecting on her experience as a PhD student and now an alum, Dr. Demessie highlights the Ford School’s ability to advance a socially conscious analysis with empirical and qualitative methods.

Whether she is advocating at the Capitol or speaking to her counterparts, Staebler Award winner Senator Chang relies on the communication skills she nurtured at the Ford School.

Muñoz points to the quantitative, writing, and technical skills she learned at the Ford School for keeping her adaptable in a changing political environment. She recognizes the continued dynamism of students coming out of the Ford School and has recruited several graduates to work with her.

Jones attributes the Ford School’s flexible curriculum and interdisciplinary approach for providing the skills to think critically and creatively about issues like the Covid-19 pandemic while focusing on long-term advances in Ethiopia’s development.

Love-Grayer’s interest in international policy was first inspired by her experience on the Ford School’s International Economic Development Program’s trip to South Africa, which continues to influence her worldview on the interconnectedness of all countries.

Whether working in or outside of government agencies, Francis knows how to effectively frame how people think about a topic or an issue—a skill she learned at the Ford School.

In this moment of political polarization, Occhipinti leans into seeing different points of view—an important skill he learned at the Ford School.

The Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute guided her to graduate school, and the Ford School provided a strong policy writing foundation.

McLaughlin credits the Ford School for helping her develop the problem-solving, communication skills, and quantitative analysis necessary for managing crises at the Fed.

Brechtelsbauer worked at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) at the White House prior to attending the Ford School. She uses her understanding of stakeholder mapping and engagement to inform her advocacy and product development work.

The rapid, global economic growth in the late 1990s led Matsuda to want to sharpen his economic expertise. He knew he needed a strong analytical base and sought a school that was equally high-caliber in economics and public policy.

Dolente looks for opportunities to find creative solutions. She says the Ford School allows students to add tools to their advocacy toolbox to advance good policy.

After focusing on health care policy at Ford, Gamm translated that to his current position with a startup called findhelp, a network that connects millions of people in need to social programs that serve them, with dignity and ease.

Cohen came to the Ford School intending to work on anti-poverty programs. He credits the Ford School with connecting him with the right resources for his interests and career path.

Brooks believes the Ford School prepared her for her job, whether it was through group projects, stakeholder analysis, or writing policy memos, to build a more inclusive cybersecurity workforce.

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