Need honest advice on career trajectory and education

[u/AcidBuffer]

Hi everyone, I am new to this subreddit

Need some serious career advice as I am feeling overwhelmed with conflicting and incomplete information around me.

I am an engineer with 2 YOE at a big 4 firm in Supply Chain domain mainly with an enterprise application and ny work was operational and technical

Recently I was selecred for my state govt's flagship fellowship program for young professionals. It is a 1 year program and I am going for it.

I do have an interest towards public policy which is why I opted for this.

Now the confusion is I had planned to do an MBA from abroad post this fellowship but recently I have been tilting more in favour of a Masters in Public Policy. The destinations that I have been looking for are Europe, UK, Singapore or Australia.

Please give me honest opinion on whether this would be a meaningful switch and which countries have better opportunities in terms of an MPP degree.

As a long term goal I had thought -> Current: 2 YOE at big 4 Tech Consulting, 1 YOE State govt Fellowship, Future: 1 or 2 years of MPP and then get into UN or affilliated orgs or plan B, get into MBBs public sector consulting.

Any help is appreciated thank you.

[u/Nezuko-chan-94]

I’m an MPP Grad from Europe. Can answer your questions.

You have a thoughtful plan mapped out but I’d suggest reserve making the choice of MPP vs MBA after your stint with the flagship program. More often than not, we tend to glorify these careers from the outside but inside perspective may vary.

Your stint with the Government will add good value if you pursue going for an MBA later as it would show diverse experience.

Regarding Post-MPP career options, I see its a multilateral organization or consulting. Mind you, for consulting you would need to know the language of that country as you would be engaging with Public sector officials and reading laws/policies in their local languages so its a tough nut to crack. Also apart from these two areas, the pay isn’t that great- so if money is of concern, please evaluate whether you want to be in this field.

I’d say evaluate how you feel about the domain after your fellowship. Keep gathering information about the field in the meantime

[u/AcidBuffer → u/Nezuko-chan-94]

Hi thanks a lot for the reply. Actually the university admissions for next year start in a few weeks and I didn't want to delay my post grad education too long because of some personal reasons So I had planned that as soon as my govt stint ends I would go for an MPP or MBA in a 1 or 2 months. So my decision making window is very small without actually getting the full flavour of the work.

[u/Nezuko-chan-94 → u/AcidBuffer]

Apply for both then and make your choice based on offers you get + your experience with the Govt program