4 Things You Need to Know Before
Studying a Postgraduate Course in Public Policy
See also: Learning Styles
Public policy can be a lucrative and rewarding career path, and what's great is that you can choose to do it after you're qualified in a related field. That said, remember that public policy is a broad industry and often has many related career paths that you pursue.
So, before you dip your toes in the water, here’s what you need to know.
What is Public Policy?
Public policy refers to the set of principles, decisions, and actions that are taken by the government in relation to issues in society and the running of it. Public policy involves all the laws, guidelines, regulations, and anything that influences various aspects of public life.
Generally, public policy is formed through research, debating, consultations, decision-making, and collaboration between the government and the public. By studying for a degree in public policy, you will learn about the tools and methods these officials use to create, assess, and alter public policy.
What Postgraduate Courses are available?
If you’re planning on taking a postgraduate course in public policy, you can choose to do so online or at a physical university. Many people opt for the online route as it allows them to study and work. Here are some postgrad courses to choose from:
Graduate diploma in public policy
Master’s degree in public policy
Careers in Public Policy
Here are some of the careers you can pursue with a qualification in public policy:
Policy Analyst
Policy affairs specialist
Urban and regional planner
Social policy researcher
Environmental policy advisor
Public policy consultant
Government affairs specialist
Human rights advocate
Education policy advisor
Economic policy advisor
Data analyst
What You Need to Know Before Studying a Postgraduate Course in Public Policy
Studying public policy will give you invaluable insight into the policies set in your country and the necessary skills to make similar decisions in your own organisation or business. That said, it’s best to have a full understanding of what you’ll be studying before you start:
The nature of Public Policy requires a diverse skill set
Any position related to public policy requires a versatile and diverse skill set. For example, you may need to deal with people, communicate effectively, employ good judgment and critical thinking skills, and have a thick skin for any conflict that may come your way. Public policy draws most of its disciplines from political science, economics, sociology, and law. Be sure to brush up on the skills you’ll need to succeed in this industry.
Clarify your career goals
Just like public policy takes its disciplines from multiple industries, it also offers you a lot of unique career paths, so you’ll need to plan and choose what career you would like to pursue once you’re qualified. For example, you could work for the government, an international private organisation, or even an NGO. Identifying the career you want to pursue will help you choose appropriate modules during your course and provide direction as you progress towards your goals.
Focus on developing good analytical and quantitative skills
At times during your career in public policy, you will be exposed to large data sets that need to be analysed to assist you and others in the decision-making process. This means that you’ll need to have good analytical skills. Get familiar with programs like Excel or other data-capturing systems and learn how to use them to sort data effectively.
Work on your communication and advocacy skills
Working in public policy, you will eventually end up in a debate sooner or later. Or, you might have to present a policy suggestion. Either way, you need to communicate effectively and advocate for your policies in a way that convinces others of its benefits. There’s a good chance you’ll be put on the spot at least once or twice during your career, so best be prepared. Honing your communication skills involves how you explain complicated policies and strategies and simply how you engage with other individuals.
Essential soft skills you’ll need to develop
With a career in public policy, several soft skills will make your job a lot easier and aid you in your journey to success. Communication is one of them, but you must also develop good leadership skills, attention to detail, conflict resolution, adaptability, and negotiation skills. As we said above, working in public policy can present you with a diverse set of challenges. Thus, developing these skills will help you adapt and cope with the demands of your environment.
While studying a course in public policy, you’ll learn and develop many of these skills as you’re faced with problems that require you to exercise good judgment and leadership skills, or, you may need to work through a conflict regarding a hypothetical policy with other classmates. The goal here is to prepare you for the realities you’ll face in a public policy career.
What you can do to prepare for a career in public policy?
Studying public policy is one of the best things you can do to prepare for a career in the industry. As we’ve said, a course in public policy will equip you with all the necessary hard and soft skills you need to successfully navigate the industry. However, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself in addition to studying, like:
Focus on communicating clearly and effectively whenever possible
Put yourself in positions that test and grow your problem-solving and leadership skills
Find a mentor or shadow them
Learn the art of negotiating and practice debating
Practice a good work ethic, focusing on attention to detail and dedicating more time to preparation
Clarify your values and ethics and stick to them
These core skills you can teach yourself will provide you with a good foundation as you study public policy and pursue a career in it. The more prepared you are, the better!
Final Thoughts
With a postgraduate course in public policy, you can work your way up the corporate ladder in several industries, including working for the government, international organisations, or an NGO. A postgrad in public policy can open up doors for you depending on the level of your qualifications and your work experience. Consider the points above and weigh them up before making your decision. All the best!
About the Author
Jessica Williams is an avid writer who is passionate about creating lifestyle, education, health and beauty content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her on adventures with her dog or cozying up with a book.