Career Handbook: PhD in Public Policy
McCormack Graduate School
Department of Public Policy and Public
Affairs
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Table of Contents
Public Policy and Affairs Career Fields ………………………………………………………………………. p.3
How to Apply for Jobs in the Public Policy and Affairs Fields ………………………………………… p. 3
Sample Resume for an All-but-Dissertation Student of Public Policy ……………………….. pp.4-5
An Inside Look at the Application Review Process …………………………………………………….. p.6-8
Job Search ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.9
Career Services at UMass Boston ……………………………………………………………………. p.9
Talent Source: A Network for Professionals of Color……………………………………. p.9
Other Job Search Engines and Postings……………………………………………………..…. p.9
Professional Organizations ………………………………………………………………………………………. p.10
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Public Policy and Affairs Career Fields
The Maxwell School of Syracuse University has a comprehensive list of different career fields and
their descriptions. Visit their website (http://www1.maxwell.syr.edu/careerfieldguides/) for more
information, including salary information, typical qualifications, sample employers, and much
more.
How to Apply for Jobs in the Public Policy and Affairs Fields
The first step in pursuing any career is to effectively market yourself to employers. Below are
examples, tips, links and resources to help you prepare for a career in Public Policy or Public
Affairs.
How to create an effective CV and conduct a job search
http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/
How to organize/write headings for your CV
http://www.eastchance.com/howto/cv-index.asp
Tips to make your CV stand out
http://www.free-resume-tips.com/resumetips/curriclm.html
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Sample Resume for an All-but-Dissertation Student of Public Policy:
Tomás Reyes, ABD
321 Middle Street, Lowell, MA 02777 - 617-555 5555. tomas.reyes@umb.edu
Summary
 Proven track record of excellent research and teaching
 Strong background in immigration, critical pedagogy and education policy
 Creative, well organized and solid analytical skills
 Bilingual English-Spanish and fluent in Portuguese
 Dissertation topic: “The Power of Literacy: Education Policy for Social Justice”
Education
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
PhD candidate, Public Policy, expected 2015
Master of Science, Public Policy, 2010
Phillips College, San Diego, CA
Master of Education, Education Policy, 2008
Universidad Popular, Mexico
Bachelor of Science, Law and Social Policy, 2006
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Faculty, Adult Literacy Resource Institute, Boston MA, 2006-present
ESL Instructor
Research Experience
Research Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Boston MA
John W. McCormack School of Policy Studies, September 2008 to Present
 With Dr. Joan Jimenez, assist in the development and implementation of a research study about
teacher training programs, focus on analyzing course content emphasizing the role of language in
social change.
Immigration and Policy Studies Center, September 2009-May 2010
 Worked with student practicum team to investigate the critical shifts in our state’s Brazilian
immigrant population and the important policy considerations affecting immigration status,
education, labor, housing, transportation, family support, and access to services including language
training and after-school programs.
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Publications
Flores, B. with Allen, X.O., Curtin, C., Ejemplo, T., Michaud, E. Randall, T. & Stewart, M. (2010). Social
needs assessment of recent Brazilian immigrants to Massachusetts. Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts
Boston, Immigration and Policy Studies Center.
Ejemplo, T. (2009) Book Review: Empowerment through language. Perspectives on Urban Education.
Spring 2009, XV, 34-35.
Jimenez, J.J. & Ejemplo, T. (2009). The Politics of Language: With Liberty and Justice for All. In O.K.
Michaels (Ed.). Language Policy: A Primer for Teachers in Training (pp 517-540). Washington, DC: American
Press.
Conference Presentations and Roundtables
“Beyond Grammar and Vocabulary Instruction: Critical Pedagogy and Language Policy”. North American
Education Policy Association annual conference. Burlington, VT: February, 2010.
Roundtable discussant. “The Immigrant Experience”. Social Inequality and Public Policy Graduate Student
Conference, University of Massachusetts Boston, April 2009.
Leadership Experience
President, Public Policy Forum, John W. McCormack School of Policy Studies, 2010-present
Helped organize and promote extra-curricular activities including an extensive Economic Development and Public
Policy Lecture Series hosting local and national policy experts in various fields of specialties. Managed all related
expenses.
Student Representative, Phillips College Strategic Planning Group, 2007-2008
Analyzed stakeholder surveys and assisted in the development of college mission, vision and values statements to
be used to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the new college.
Planning Board Member and Community Advocate, Centro Inmigrante, 2006-present
Consult with Executive Team on issues concerning education for immigrants in Lowell, MA
Honors and Awards
 Beacon Leadership Student Leadership Award, UMass Boston, 2010.

Lilia Donaldo Graduate Student Fellowship. American Institute of Education Policy, 2009.
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Graduate Student Assembly Travel Grant to attend AIEP conference, 2009.
References
References available upon request.
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An Inside Look at the Application Review Process
How to Make Your Faculty Search Application Stand Out
(from The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 23, 2009)
Thinking of applying for a faculty position? This article gives an overview of the application
evaluation process for an open faculty position.
Academe Today
Monday November 23, 2009
How to Make Your Application Stand Out
By Rob Jenkins
In preparing composition students for our state's writing-proficiency exam, I always begin by explaining how
their work will be evaluated. I've found that knowing what raters are looking for helps students better
understand how to prepare their essays.
I'd like to apply that same approach to another sort of proficiency exam: the job application. Having served
on many search committees at two-year colleges, I have a pretty good idea how applications are evaluated.
My objective is to help you understand the process, too, so you can craft your documents accordingly.
The first thing you should know is what happens to your application once it arrives. At most two-year
colleges, job applications go directly to the human-resources office, rather than to a dean, department chair,
or search committee chair. An HR clerk logs and files them by position but usually doesn't make any other
judgments about them, except perhaps to note if they're complete. Some HR departments let applicants
know if something's missing, but others simply file the application as is, or discard it.
When I chair a search committee, my second priority (after hiring the best people) is operating efficiently,
which means not taking up any more of my colleagues' time than necessary. I try to streamline at least the
first part of the process by eliminating, early on, any applications that don't strictly meet the stated
requirements.
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If an application doesn't contain all the materials we requested in the ad, I toss it. (OK, I don't literally throw
it away, but I do relegate it to the "incomplete" pile, which means it won't be considered.) If an applicant isn't
actually qualified for the position—doesn't hold the relevant degree, doesn't have enough credit hours
teaching in the field, doesn't have the required experience—I toss that person's file, too.
What happens next depends on the number of applications. Essentially, each committee member is trying to
narrow down the number of applicants whom we'll talk about when we meet. With just a few, we'll discuss all
of them. But if there's really a large number—I've had as many as 175 for an English position—it helps for
each member to identify, say, a top 10. Given natural differences of opinion among committee members, that
means we'll probably end up discussing 30 or 40 applications and trying to narrow that pool down to the
eight or 10 people we'll invite for interviews.
Your objective as an applicant, then, like a character in some sort of fantasy role-playing game, is to make it
past each of those watchers: the HR clerk, the search-committee chair, and the committee members.
That means, first of all, that your application must arrive by the stated deadline. If it doesn't, HR will most
likely not even file it with the others, and the search committee will never even see it.
Second, your application must be complete. Read the job ad carefully, then read it again. Include exactly the
documents requested. Does the ad call for a CV or a résumé? (There is a difference, and examples of both are
available in numerous reference books.) Does it ask for actual reference letters or just a list of references?
Does it specify official transcripts or just copies? How about a statement of teaching philosophy? If you don't
understand what the ad is looking for, call the college's HR office and ask. But don't just leave something out.
Third, make sure you're actually qualified for the job. If the job ad asks for "a master's degree with 18
graduate semester hours in accounting," that's what the committee wants. Perhaps, with a master's in
mathematics and three or four accounting classes under your belt, you could easily teach the introductory
courses offered at a two-year college, but that's irrelevant. If you don't meet at least the minimum
requirements stated in the ad, you won't be considered.
My advice up to this point has been pretty basic. But trust me: If you follow it, your application is already
looking better than many. There's a good chance you're now in the "to be considered" pool. To take the next
step into the "to be invited for an interview" pool, there's one more thing you need to do: Write a killer letter
of application. I say "letter of application" because it should be precisely that, and not just a brief "cover
letter" noting what's contained in the rest of your application. This letter is your opportunity to set yourself
apart from other applicants who meet the basic requirements. Your letter must be long enough to contain
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real substance but not so long that it becomes irritating. Write at least a page, single spaced, but no more
than a page and a half.
Your letter should also be professionally produced, using a decent printer, good-quality paper, and a
standard business-letter format (again, available in numerous references). The grammar, spelling, and
punctuation must be perfect and the writing clear and engaging.
In terms of content, the letter should begin by identifying the specific job you are seeking and naming the
college. (Yes, that means writing a separate letter for each job—something you should always do, anyway.)
End the first paragraph by stating that you believe yourself to be a strong candidate and hope to be given
serious consideration.
Use the next two or three paragraphs to expand upon your claims to the job—namely, your academic
credentials and teaching experience. Even if you don't have a great deal of teaching experience, spend some
time talking about the experience you do have. We want to know that you actually enjoy teaching and that
you have some idea what you're getting yourself into on our campus.
If you have a doctorate, that's great, but don't spend more than two or three sentences discussing your
dissertation. By all means, let us know you wrote one (that's still impressive) and tell us what it has to do
with your teaching, if anything. But no lengthy exegeses, please.
Once you've covered those important areas, you can add a paragraph detailing any other relevant
accomplishments, such as teaching awards, publications, and involvement in professional groups. Conclude
by referencing your CV or résumé, and asking for an interview.
As a serial committee member, I can tell you that if you do all of those things, your application will definitely
wind up in my "to be discussed" pile. And that's right where you want it to be.
Rob Jenkins is an associate professor of English and director of the Writers Institute at Georgia Perimeter
College. He blogs at www.academicleaders.org.
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Job Search
Now that you know how to market yourself for your ideal job, here are some links to job search
engines and services available to help you find a career in public policy and/or affairs.
Career Services at UMass Boston
UMass Boston offers its own career counseling services, available to all students and alums. Create
a MyCareer Online account at https://www.myinterfase.com/umb/student/ to access the on-line
resource library, search for jobs, and sign up for various workshops on resume, cover letter and
interviewing skills.
Individual counseling services are also available on campus. The Career Counselor appointed for
the McCormack Graduate School is Michael Gaskins. Feel free to contact him at
michael.gaskins@umb.edu.
Talent Source: A Network for Professionals of Color
McCormack Graduate School’s Commonwealth Compact has recently launched the first social
network for professionals of color. Their mission is to:
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Increase the representation of people of color and women throughout our organizations,
especially in management, senior management and board governance positions.
Retain and promote people of color and women.
Encourage our organizations to reflect, and connect with, the diversity of the
communities and customers we serve.
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Visit their site for more information, and to join the Talent Source, at:
http://www.commonwealthcompact.com/.
Other Job Search Engines and Postings
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AEA (American Economic Association
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American Sociological Association http://www.asanet.org/ (membership required)
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APPAM (Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management) http://www.publicservicecareers.org/
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APSA (American Political Science Association) http://www.apsanet.org/
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Boston Consortium of Higher Education (faculty, staff and administrative postings)
http://www.aeaweb.org/joe/
http://careersinhighered.org/
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Chronicle of Higher Education http://chronicle.com/section/Jobs/61/
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Economist Jobs at Econ-jobs.com: (jobs in economics, econometrics and finance) http://www.econjobs.com/
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Professional Organizations
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Below is a list of policy-related professional organizations
and links to their websites with additional career ideas and postings.
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AEA (American Economic Association) http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AEA/
American Sociological Association http://www.asanet.org/
AERA (American Educational Research Association) http://www.aera.net/
APHA (American Public Health Association) http://www.apha.org/
APPAM (Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management) http://www.appam.org/
APSA (American Political Science Association) http://www.apsanet.org/
ASPA (American Society for Public Administration) http://www.aspanet.org/scriptcontent/index.cf
ASA (American Statistical Association) http://www.amstat.org/
Association for Conflict Resolution http://www.acrnet.org/
Association of Women in Development http://www.awid.org/
Law and Society Association http://www.lawandsociety.org/
NASW (National Association of Social Workers) http://www.naswdc.org/
National Association for Government Training and Development http://www.nagtad.org/
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration http://www.naspaa.org/
National Council of Nonprofit Associations http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/
NEA (National Education Association) http://www.nea.org/
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
http://www.oecd.org/home/0,2987,en_2649_201185_1_1_1_1_1,00.html
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Society for International Development
http://www.sidw.org/mc/page.do;jsessionid=B6B0C1B044234A153092861A25B94AFF.mc1?sitePageId=65030
Washington International Trade Association http://www.wita.org/
Washington Network Group http://www.washingtonnetworkgroup.com/
Women in Government Relations http://www.wgr.org/
DISCLAIMER:
The Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs does not endorse and is not responsible for the
content of web sites noted on these pages.
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