What can I do with a policy degree?
Since a public policy degree provides a set of research, analytical, communication, and management skills that are transferable across sectors and issue areas, graduates have flexibility in choosing their career paths. Public policy graduates often move back and forth between the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, or between international and domestic work. Harris School graduates are highly sought after specifically for their quantitative skills. Employers look for graduates to help understand and communicate complex data and information in a way that clearly and concisely supports effective decision-making.
What assistance is available through the Career Development Office?
The Career Development Office staff are here to help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to support life long career development. Personalized career guidance is offered to help students develop a well-defined sense of their abilities, interests and motivations, as well as help them to identify specific job opportunities and organizational settings of interest. Students have access to a wide range of resources including workshops, career counseling, career- focused events including Employer Information Sessions and networking opportunities. Students also have access to the Harris School jobs database and career related listservs.
What networking resources are available to students throughout the year?
There are numerous networking opportunities throughout the academic year that range from informal organization information sessions to formal dinners with alumni and Harris School constituents. Student organizations and Harrris CDO and Alumni Affairs collaborate on events, and students have access to an alumni web-based networking site that allows them to connect directly with alumni working in students' fields of interest. For networking, students are encouraged to purchase Harris School business cards during their first quarter at the Harris School. More information about business cards can be found here (PDF).
What workshops are offered at the Harris School?
A variety of workshops are hosted annually. Past courses have included:
Are internships mandatory?
While most of our students complete an internship at some point while in school, internships are not mandatory. Students come to the Harris School with a variety of experiences and are interested in different fields and careers. That set of variables leads our students to seek a variety of experiences. More often than not, this means a traditional summer internship. However, some students have pursued advanced language training or overseas travel, or they have undertaken an internship during a different time in their Harris career. Overall, Career Development recommends students consider a variety of opportunities, including internships, which position students to develop and achieve their career goals.
What type of students/graduates are employers seeking?
Employers consistently tell us how much they value our students. The core courses provide a robust set of quantitative analytical skills, and the substantive policy expertise that students bring to and develop within the program make Harris students very marketable.
Where have Harris students and graduates found work?
Our students and graduates work in all sectors in a variety of fields. Here is a sample of where our students and alumni are working:
What organizations recruit on campus?
The Harris School has a very active schedule of employers recruiting using on campus interviewing and recruiting through Harrislink and other outreach. Here are just a few of the organizations that have recruited at The Harris School:
At what point should I visit the Career Development Office?
It’s never too early to start the career planning process. Career Development workshops begin during math camp and you are encouraged to visit us as early as possible during the fall quarter.
How do I make an appointment?
Schedule an appointment with a career counselor/advisor through your HarrisLink account under "Schedule a Coaching Appointment". Counselors are available Monday-Friday for scheduled appointments and also conduct "Walk-in Hours" during the week.
When is the Career Development Office open?
Career Development’s hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Contact Information
Career Development Office
Phone: 773.834.9082
Fax: 773.834.1162
career-development@uchicago.edu
