Researching global development graduate programs? Ask these 8 questions

International development is full of passionate people committed to making a difference in the world. However, making a difference requires a high level of training and expertise. Whether you’re just starting out in international development, looking to transition from another industry or are an experienced professional trying to advance your career, obtaining a graduate degree is often a necessity to succeed in any given field. Pursuing a graduate degree may also be one of the biggest investments you make — both in time and money — in pursuit of your dream job. Here are eight questions you should ask when trying to choose the right graduate program for your global development career. 1. Where is it located? If you plan to continue working while pursuing a graduate degree or have personal reasons that will keep you put where you currently reside, looking for programs in your area can seem like a no-brainer. However, the importance of a graduate program’s location goes beyond whether or not you will need to pick up and move. As in many educational experiences, some of the most valuable lessons come from outside the classroom walls. Degree programs located in international development hubs like London, Brussels, Geneva or Washington will offer you countless seminars, conferences and learning opportunities that are harder to come by in less development-centric locations. These networking opportunities can provide access to mentors, potential job connections and the practical insights into the sector and your chosen area of expertise. Internships in these hubs will be more plentiful and can be easier to come by if you can work them into the school year versus competing with a summer rush. There are benefits to programs located outside of development hubs in that there will likely be a smaller, more intimate community that may be easier to penetrate and less competition for relevant internships and experiences outside of the classroom. Be sure to weigh these factors when determining which locations work for you. 2. What practical experience will I gain? While a graduate degree is essential to most global development career paths, so too is practical experience. Will the program provide opportunities for hands-on learning through facilitated internships, practicums or research projects? Does the coursework focus on both theory and its real-world application? Are there opportunities to travel, work or do research in a developing country? What skills will you gain beyond the degree that will round out your resume and demonstrate hands-on experience in the areas where you hope to work? Understanding the practical applications of development theory is a critical component of your education. 3. What do their alumni do? When trying to decide if a particular program will set you on your desired career path, look to the alumni. Where are they now? Are they working with the organizations or on the issues you hope to be someday? Alumni that have been successful in paving a career you hope to emulate are a good sign that the program they hail from is a great training ground for this field. Additionally, an alumni network rich with relevant experience may come in handy when you are seeking mentors or career opportunities upon graduation. 4. How much career support do they provide? What kind of career services does the program offer students? What percentage of graduates find employment in the areas where you hope to work? What employers hire graduates from the school? Do they continue to provide support to alumni throughout your career? Pursuing a graduate degree isn’t just about landing the job. It’s also about gaining new insights and expanding your worldview. However, a school with a strong commitment to helping students succeed once they leave campus is just as important. 5. Who’s on the faculty? Looking at a program’s alumni network can be indicative of how well the school prepares graduates for the career you want. Similarly insightful can be the backgrounds of teachers who make up the program’s faculty. Are they leaders in their field? Have they worked with institutions you hope to work for one day? Have they published significant papers in your sector? Faculty members who’ve had experience outside the classroom can often provide the real-world guidance and perspective that cannot be learned from a textbook. Being a leader in your field also doesn’t necessarily mean you can teach well. Try to meet some professors or ask current students their opinion on the quality of the classes and look up teachers’ professional backgrounds. 6. Will the schedule accommodate my life? Particularly if you’re mid-career and juggling graduate school with family, work or other obligations, a traditional school program may not be possible. There are many ways to accommodate graduate school into a busy schedule these days, from online classes to part-time, distance learning and executive programs. If you think you can’t fit school into your life right now, you may be surprised at the wide range of options available, even at well-established institutions. 7. What’s the program’s reputation? Does it matter? Before investing in a graduate program, you want to do your research and make sure it’s worthy of your investment. How do recruiters and hiring managers view applicants from the school? What do former students think of the program and the value it provided to their career? Will the university’s name help open doors? Does it even matter? If you aspire to work for a leading institution known for stiff competition in hiring, like the World Bank, United Nations or elite think tanks and consulting firms, the prestige of the academic institution may be an important factor when seeking job opportunities. These employers often desire graduates from the highest-ranked universities in the world and have a well-established network of alumni on the hiring committees who often seek out new hires like their own. If instead you are hoping to work for a nongovernmental organization, social enterprise or government agency engaged in development, the name of your university may not carry as much importance. For many positions, gaining a graduate-level degree is like checking a box. Once you have it, your practical experience will trump where you went to school. Know which kinds of opportunities you plan to seek in weighing programs of varying costs and ranking. The money you invest or borrow to attend a brand-name school may or may not be worth it. 8. Does the program match my career goals? Perhaps the most important question to ask, which takes into account all of the questions above, is, “Will this program prepare me for my specific career goals?” Which raises the question: What are your career goals? Do you want to be a specialist in a technical area of expertise? Make sure the program provides the technical training and skills that may be required. Do you seek a more generalist role that involves working across sectors? You may consider a multidisciplinary program with a wider scope. Does it offer the quantitative training that is so important to development work — and desired by many employers — in this increasingly data-centric sector? Look at the coursework offerings, practical experiences you can gain and faculty and alumni backgrounds. Do they have a global focus? Do they align with the kind of work you hope to do upon graduation? This article first appeared in Foreign Policy as part of “FP Guide: The New Global Professionals.” Visit the guide to learn more about higher education opportunities related to global development. You know you need a postgraduate degree to advance in a global development career, but deciding on a program, degree and specialization can be overwhelming. In partnership with APSIA, Duke Center for International Development and the MPA/ID Program at the Harvard Kennedy School, we are digging into all things graduate school and global development in a weeklong series called Grad School Week. Join online events and read more advice on pursuing a post-graduate education here.