Career Services | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Departments and Research Centers

Career Services

Career Services provides students with information about the variety of career choices available with a policy degree, connects students and policy employers, assists students in creating an individual strategy for their career goals, and offers support through career planning and the job search

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Showing 1 - 30 of 47 results
Staff

Eric Coughlin

Administrative Assistant, Career Services
Eric Coughlin is the administrative assistant in the Ford School's Office of Graduate Career Services…
Headshot of Eric Coughlin
Staff

Emma Frazier

Assistant Director, Graduate Career Services
Emma Frazier is the assistant director of graduate career services at the Ford School, where she leads programming, support, and advising for graduate students. Prior to joining the Ford School, Emma held multiple roles at the University of Michigan…
Headshot of Emma Frazier
Staff

May Skelton

Senior Career Development Specialist
May Skelton is a Senior Career Development Specialist in the Ford School's Office of Career Services. As career development specialist, May helps Ford School students to navigate their career journeys, reflect on their professional goals, and develop…
Headshot of May Skelton
Staff

Casey M. Sullens

Assistant Director, Employer Relations
As a member of the Ford School Graduate Career Services Team, Casey works to develop, cultivate, and manage relationships and recruitment activities with government agencies, international organizations, non-profits, and the private sector to benefit…
Photo of Casey Sullens
Staff

Gail Tien

Assistant Director, Undergraduate Career Services
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Staff

Peter Vasher

Director of Career Services
As director, Peter works with Ford School students to discover future career paths, navigate their career journey, and develop/enhance professional competencies and skills.
Headshot of Peter Vasher

Careers in public policy

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...
Map of a sample of alumni work locations

Admitted student activities

There are a variety of opportunities for you to spend time with and get to know members of the Ford School community. Visit us in Ann Arbor for Spring Preview Day, have coffee with our alumni, connect with current students, and attend our Future...
Photo of a full Annenberg Auditorium as Professor John Ciorciari and FBI Director Christopher Wray, at the front of the room, have a conversation at a public event.

For employers

The Ford School prepares outstanding public leaders, and connects them with influential organizations that help solve the world’s most urgent and complex challenges. We can help you navigate the recruiting process, increase your presence on the...
Group of people at the DC trip
News

Policy Pitch Competition brings summer internships to life

Sep 21, 2023
A packed Annenberg Auditorium was on edge as 14 BA and MPP students gave enthusiastic renderings of “What I did with my summer” at the 6th Annual Policy Pitch Competition, hosted by Ford School Career Services. They were each given just three...
A group photo of the 6th annual Ford School Policy Pitch Competition participants. (Left to right) Kayla Guillory (MPP ‘24), Eddie Weber (MPP ‘24), Brittney Barros (MPP ‘24), Andrew Freigang (MPP ‘24), Kaei Li (MPP ‘24), Gabriel Sylvan (MPP ‘24), Flor Azul Lorenzo (MPP ‘24), Haley Neuenfeldt (MPP ‘24), Valery Martinez (MPP ‘23), Gerardo Mendez (MPP ‘24), Juan Sandoval (MPP ‘24), Lucas Haymes (MPP ‘25), Akhila Mullapudi (BA ‘25), Isha Khan (BA ‘25), Erica Colaianne, and Travis Radina.
News

2022 Riecker Michigan Delegation Fellows named

Jan 13, 2022
The 2022 winter semester will look a little bit different for two second-year Ford School graduate students. Bethany Haddad (MPP ‘22) and Kate Randall (MPP ‘22), were selected from a very competitive pool of applicants for the prestigious Riecker...
U.S. capitol
News

January Career Expo taps Ford School’s global community

Jan 29, 2021
Finding opportunity among the continued challenges of the coronavirus, the Ford School’s traditional career trip to Washington, DC took on a new and expanded approach this year in the form of a three-day virtual January Graduate Student Career Expo...
Students and alumni networking at the Ford School's DC trip
News

A Q&A with Iqra Nasir, 2020 Riecker Fellow

Oct 8, 2020
Iqra Nasir (MPP/MS ‘21) was selected as one of the two 2020 Riecker Michigan Delegation Fellows. Named for Margaret (Ranny) Riecker, a longtime friend and generous benefactor of the Ford School, this fellowship sends competitively selected graduate...
Headshot of Iqra Nasir

Ford School Event in Washington, DC

Feb 8, 2024, 5:45-8:30 pm EST
Rockefeller-Peterson Room
Join us in Washington, DC on February 8 for a special Ford School event with alumni, friends, and current students.
Celeste Watkins-Hayes holding a microphone and smiling. A illustration of the capitol building and the text #FordSchoolDC are below.

Alumni Coffee Hour with Brian Wesolowski (MPA, '13)

Sep 18, 2023, 10:00-11:00 am EDT
Room 3240, Weill Hall
The Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, in partnership with Career Services, is excited to welcome Brian Wesolowski (MPA, '13,) Senior Public Affairs Manager for Microsoft. Brian will gather with students to share his experiences about his career in lobbying and public relations in tech.
Brian Wesolowski

Weiser Diplomacy Fellows alumni experiences

Feb 20, 2023, 11:30 am-12:45 pm EST
3240 Weill Hall
The Weiser Diplomacy Center, Career Services, and Development and Alumni Relations are offering sessions during the winter '23 semester for you to engage with alumni who are working abroad/have worked abroad and/or work on a variety of international policy issues. 
Weiser-Diplomacy-Fellows-Alumni-Experiences-Maggie-and-Marianna-teaser
Career Development

Career development expo: Learn, explore, develop

Feb 1, 2023, 12:00-1:00 pm EST
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Feb 3, 2023, 9:00-10:00 am EST
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Feb 6, 2023, 12:00-1:00 pm EST
Hybrid (see details)
The career development expo offers opportunities for career exploration and alumni engagement through a series of virtual career programs that participants can attend either remotely or in-person in Weill Hall.
Photo of the upper half of the northwest corner of Weill Hall

5th annual Ford School Policy Pitch Competition

Sep 6, 2022, 6:00-8:00 pm EDT
Virtual & in person (1120 Weill Hall)
Students who have just completed internships will deliver 3-4 minute pitches to highlight their internship experience, policy impact, key deliverables gained, and compete for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Audience Student Prize.
Monika Anderson at the Pitch Competition
Career Development

Graduate student career expo

Feb 3, 2022, 6:00-8:00 pm EST
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Feb 4, 2022, 9:00 am-3:00 pm EST
Virtual & hybrid
The graduate student career expo offers opportunities for career exploration and alumni engagement through a series of virtual career programs that participants can attend either remotely or in-person in Weill Hall.
Photo of the upper half of the northwest corner of Weill Hall
Admissions

Careers in public policy

Dec 14, 2021, 12:00 pm EST
With professional, personalized career services and a powerful, deeply committed alumni network, the Ford School helps students achieve their career goals.
Picture of Weill Hall and text: "Explore. Connect. Apply." with Ford School logo
Admissions

Tools for influence and action

Nov 15, 2021, 12:00 pm EST
Learn about opportunities to practice social science research and quantitative analysis skills in and out of the classroom and how they provide a toolbox of research, analytical, and management skills that are highly transferable across sectors and issue areas.
Picture of Weill Hall and text: "Explore. Connect. Apply." with Ford School logo

Alumni-in-Residence student conversation with Penny Naas (MPP '93)

Sep 23, 2021, 12:00-1:00 pm EDT
3240 Weill Hall
Graduate Career Services and the Weiser Diplomacy Center invite Ford School graduate and undergraduate students to an Alumni-in-Residence conversation with UPS President for International Public Affairs and Sustainability, Penelope Naas. 
Penny Naas
Career Development

Alumni in Residence conversation with Lesley Miller

Mar 25, 2021, 8:00-9:00 pm EDT
Join us for the Alumni in Residence conversation with Lesley Miller (MPP/MBA '93) Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Viet Nam, focusing on advancing the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children and adolescents.
WDC informal logo