<p>I've been debating a career change for a few years and finally have the time (thanks to the superb economy) to focus my attention. I grew up overseas and want to use both my language skill (Arabic) and my keen interest in politics and foreign policy. So far the tracks I'm trying to pursue are somewhere between lobbying, foreign policy development, PR and so forth with a focus on international relations obviously. The two tracks I have so far been playing with is either an MBA with an International policy MA or alternatively the JD with equal MA. I'm leaning more for the JD due to my interest in law, also my disinterest in an MBA degree, but was curious if anyone had any ideas further aid my decision making. I heard SAIS is not a bad route, but also heard its as helpful a degree these days as having an undergraduate degree in Pre Law. Also I don't really perceive sitting for the Bar post
graduation, unless during my studies I somehow feel that it would be infallible to registered. </p>
<p>Anyone a lobbyist or involved in international relations/policy development that can maybe shed some more light on what firms look for in a candidate? </p>
<p>If you want a career change, then you probably don’t want to accrue $200k in debt mid career. If you’re interested in IR, get an MA or PhD. Don’t bother with an MBA or JD.</p>
<p>Yeah the debt is its own crux one way or another. My worry to an extent is an MA/PHD will lend debt with out an exponential increase in job versatility. More nice lil pieces of paper for my wall and that being it.</p>
<p>^ That’s generally true only for academic PhDs. Professional PhDs, like those offered by SAIS or Fletcher are usually not funded by the Universities. Some students have outside sources of funding–such as the government. Others pay their own way. An academic PhD in political science, with IR as a subfield, is usually funded by the better programs but takes much longer to obtain than a professional Ph.D. The average time is 6 to 7 years. And the stipend and tuition waiver are not really free—you are expected to work for it–usually as a TA. Depending upon the workload–it can be very cheap labor for the university. </p>
<p>SAIS offers a joint MA/JD program in conjunction with Stanford Law School. Great combination, but obviously not easy to gain admission to.</p>