Title: Attending MSFS: Mid-Career vs. Post-Undergrad

Miguel: I chose to apply to the MSFS program immediately after my undergraduate studies because I felt confident in taking the next step on my existing path toward a career in public service. I graduated from the University of Portland in December 2023, triple majoring in Political Science, History, and Spanish. I served for three years in student government, had numerous campus jobs, pursued two congressional internships, conducted research in transnational crime in Latin America, and studied abroad in Granada, Spain, and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Through these undergrad experiences, I solidified my passion and clarified my interests in IR: transnational crime, great power politics, and grand strategy. Rather than stepping away from my studies, I saw this as the ideal time to immerse myself in an environment where I could deepen my expertise and prepare for a public service career in the national security establishment. Moving directly into a program like MSFS, with its rigorous curriculum, focus on practical skills, and unparalleled access to career resources, allows me to build on my undergrad momentum.

Demi: Before coming to MSFS, I had a well-developed career in supply chain and worked for some outstanding companies and consulting firms. Before a big promotion that would be demanding and life changing, I spent time reflecting on what work I found most fulfilling. I’d spent many years serving clients across manufacturing, health, consumer, and other sectors, but I found that I was ready to serve my country. I come from a military family, so service is incredibly important to me. A graduate program that could round out my work experience and add depth in public service areas was the logical next step for me.

When narrowing down programs for graduate school, I was hoping to find a school that valued past professional experience, diversity of thought and background, and close connectivity to government work. Ultimately, Georgetown’s focus on service, the international sphere, a practitioner faculty, and D.C. location made MSFS a perfect fit. Of course, the ranking as the #1 international relations program in the world affirms my choice.

Miguel: The MSFS program is efficient, preparing masters candidates for the challenges and opportunities a policymaker will face in international affairs. I applied to MSFS precisely to acquire these practical skills. From writing one-pager Policy Memos and learning how to answer difficult questions under fire to learning software and how to perform statistical analysis, all of the skills you learn here will remain relevant when you leave the walls of Georgetown and pursue your career.

Demi: Prior to MSFS, I read current periodicals like Foreign Affairs and The Economist and listened endlessly to history and current events podcasts, but I was missing the theoretical context and tools to understand underpinning strategies. Also, I was disconnected from the reality of working in this field. I desperately wanted to understand what daily life looked like working on these massively important topics- how individuals conducted this work and who experts in the field are. I also wanted more than the history and current event lenses; I wanted to understand how to guide the next step. Now that I’ve nearly completed my first semester, I’ve already made significant headway in all of these areas. Specifically, I have begun to understand international relations theory and practice, and am looking forward to learning more about grand strategy planning, multilateral alliance building, and defense tactics. Importantly, along with the theoretical work, I am also developing a network of individuals who are also passionate about this work.

Miguel: I’ve often told my peers that my biggest challenge coming directly from undergrad is balancing academics and the many amazing professional development opportunities. Georgetown has so many opportunities to network with practitioners in the field of IR. As someone transitioning from concentrating on pure academics in undergrad, balancing the coursework at MSFS with professional development opportunities has required careful time management.

My strategy has been to stay proactive— utilizing the well-developed time management skills I gained in undergrad (3 majors will do that to you!) and choosing which events to go to that would be the most beneficial. What has also helped is bonding with my cohort. All 125 of us are very dedicated and passionate individuals who come from all walks of life and strive to improve the world. Through working together in the MSFS lounge, going to happy hours after class, exploring Washington DC, and many more activities, we’ve established a close-knit support system. The relationships I have formed so far, and that I continue to form everyday, have helped me become more proactive.

Demi: Returning to academia from the professional world has been incredibly exciting but not without challenges. Certainly, it is difficult to step away from a salary, but it is also an adjustment in terms of time management. There was a shift from spending my days in meetings to now spending days in class and research. The demands of graduate school were higher than I anticipated, so I have developed a detailed routine that allows for dedicated homework time, dedicated reading times (commuting on public transport), etc. Audio books and articles are extremely helpful. In terms of finances, I was fortunate to receive a military benefit and the Georgetown MSFS language scholarship which I’m using to study Arabic.

Miguel: After completing the MSFS program, I plan to pursue a career in the US national security arena. My ultimate goal is to contribute to addressing critical international security challenges. The MSFS program’s academic training and emphasis on real-world applications will prepare me to engage with these complex issues. 

Demi: Following graduation, I plan on working in the public sector- perhaps the State Department. I would like to focus on national security and conflict resolution by means of supply chain resiliency and trade. It is particularly important to me that my public sector role interfaces and partners with the business community to develop collaborative, mutually assured strategies. This could translate into the cybersecurity and tech industries or into physical trade. Also, I’m looking forward to staying involved with Georgetown as an alumna.