Harvard Kennedy School just announced a new full-ride scholarship for 50 U.S. veterans and longtime public servants to pursue a Mid-Career MPA.
That raises a question I hear a lot:
Do you need to go back to school to pivot out of government? And if so, what kind of degree should you pursue?
As someone who completed both a MPA at Princeton and a MBA at UC Berkeley, I’ve thought about this deeply and helped others through the same crossroads.
🎓 What going back to school actually gives you
One of the biggest benefits isn’t the classroom content; it’s the social framing:
You’re in transition, you’re learning, and people are more inclined to help. Cold emails and warm intros go further when you’re a student. It feels like mentorship, not a favor.
This framing makes networking easier and less awkward. It gives you legitimacy while you explore, test, and ask questions.
📊 MPA vs. MBA – Which one’s better for transitioning?
MBA Pros
✅ Smoother transition into private-sector networks
✅ Exposure to roles you may not have known existed
✅ Easier credibility outside government
MBA Cons
🚫 Bigger cultural leap (and identity shift)
🚫 Can feel like learning a foreign language at first
MPA Pros
✅ Tailored to public servants and policy-minded folks
✅ Less of a cultural shift
MPA Cons
🚫 May reinforce a public-sector identity
🚫 Can make pivoting after harder (without intention)
When I started my MBA after 5 years in government, I felt like a fish out of water. I didn’t understand the lingo and had naive questions like why would companies hire consultants instead of solving things in-house? But having two years to figure that out was powerful — it gave me space to explore and experiment without pressure.
🔁 Should you go?
If you’re:
Looking to change careers or industries and
Want space to reflect, experiment, and grow
…then an MPA or MBA can absolutely help. But if you’re fairly clear on what you want next — or want a faster, more affordable path — it’s not the only way.
If you’re unsure about spending 1–2 years (and six figures) on an MBA or MPA, I’m piloting a 2-month fellowship as a more flexible path. It’s designed to give you some of the most valuable parts of grad school — project-based experience in the private sector, peer support, and the chance to explore a new direction — without leaving your job or taking on debt.
I am building it for people like you: public servants figuring out what’s next.
Join the waitlist here if you want early access or more details.
Let me know what resonates — and what kind of learning experience would be most helpful for where you are now.