The MAS-IA degree from GPS gives you the global perspective and technical rigor to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be
Even though it might be tough to rethink your career and consider going back to school, pursuing a degree is a great way to open up career prospects and make a shift in your career trajectory.
Just ask Bright Skinner, a current first-year student in the Master of Advanced Studies in International Affairs, or MAS-IA, program at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS).
A graduate of the University of Alabama, he spent a decade working in investment finance. During his career, he worked as an associate at Deutsche Bank, which brought him to Sydney, Australia; he also worked at Qualcomm Ventures, based in San Diego, as a senior analyst.
Recently, though, he started reflecting on what he wanted out of his career and realized that his current situation wasn’t the best way to achieve his goals.
After he began working independently as an adviser for early-stage startups, Skinner also realized that going back to school would help him pivot away from traditional corporate finance and toward roles where private sector expansion drives global public policy goals.
[Read: How GPS is helping incubate exciting new startups]
“I had been working with very large, multinational firms, but I wanted to pursue something more meaningful and impactful,” he said. “I figured that furthering my education would be the first step in that process.”
That was when he heard about GPS from some of his friends. Read about some of the aspects that drew him to the program and convinced him that staying in sunny San Diego was the best move.
Refresh your perspective
A graduate degree is an opportunity to take a step back and consider alternative ways of framing an issue, both those related to business and broader world issues. You’ll be better able to collaborate with people and teams from different backgrounds, and you’ll also become a more versatile problem solver.
In the case of GPS’s MAS-IA degree, it doesn’t hurt that you’ll be learning material from world-class experts, including David G. Victor, a leader in researching climate policy, and Barbara F. Walter, an authority on the erosion of democracy and civil wars as well as a New York Times bestselling author.
A graduate degree teaches you to consider alternative ways of framing an issue, collaborate with people from different backgrounds and solve problems on a wide variety of issues related to business and world affairs.
“Barbara Walter’s class especially stands out as a class where I was taught a completely new way of looking at global events and conflicts,” Skinner said.
A curriculum that’s relevant and flexible
However, just because GPS professors are at the cutting-edge of their scholarly fields, that doesn’t mean what you’ll learn in class is divorced from reality. You’ll graduate feeling better equipped than ever to face challenges in your professional life, whether that’s in the private sector, the military or in a policy-related role.
Skinner said the readings assigned by his professors are interesting and relevant to real-life situations.
He also noted that one benefit is its flexibility. Your time is valuable, so GPS has designed the degree to be as relevant as possible to your pursuits. One aspect of this is that students get to select a career track that aligns with their professional interests.
[Read: Why an international affairs degree is more versatile than a business degree]
“I especially enjoy the MAS-IA’s structure because I can choose the classes I see as most interesting,” he said.
In addition, the degree provides you with the fundamental skills needed to succeed in both upper-level classes and the workplace. Core classes at GPS are not exercises in drudgery — they’ll teach you in-demand, concrete skills applicable across a broad range of disciplines.
Fitting it into your career
There’s no question that pursuing a professional degree is a big investment of your time, resources and earning potential. Because of this, GPS offers both a full-time program and a part-time option, allowing you to continue your academic journey without pausing your career.
Even so, many students opt for a full-time course of study, which is what Skinner decided to do. For him, he said it came down to the return-on-investment that he anticipates from receiving the degree.
He also pointed out that committing fully to academics can even help you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers, since you’ll have demonstrated that you’re committed to doing what it takes to upskill.
“It shows prospective employers your ability to pivot successfully,” Skinner said. Drawing from his own current experience of shifting careers, he added, “Furthering your education is a bold and impactful step.”
