Betsy K — I Am Goal-Oriented

I wanted to find a way to affect change in people’s everyday lives. The five-year BS/MS Public Policy program seemed to be the perfect path in which to attain that goal. I have had a strong interest in politics and government since middle school, and I loved learning about the different aspects of government in my high school classes. I also found it interesting how many perspectives and angles one, single issue can have and how greatly people’s opinions can vary.

Elle C — I Am Idealistic

I love how Public Policy is a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. The core classes explore the ethics and theory behind policy decisions, as well as the facts, the statistics, and the precedence. Both theoretical and empirical facets must be taken into account for a successful policy decision. This dual way of thinking is applicable far beyond policy-making. It is a way to perceive and think about the world.

Mike D — I Am a Problem-Solver

I want to enter the policy arena ready to solve the complex, wicked, problems that will challenge us as we charge into the 21st century. I knew that Public Policy at Georgia Tech would teach me how to think critically when approaching a policy problem while also giving me the factual background to hit the ground running in areas like energy policy.

Nick W — I Am Leader

I developed a fascination with politics, policy, and economics in high school. The Public Policy program has allowed me to explore these interests in great depth. The program is excellent preparation for graduate school and I would love to be involved in state or federal policymaking one day. In addition, pursuing two majors in Public Policy and Industrial Engineering has helped give me a well-balanced academic background. I have developed my analytical and technical skills as well as my writing and speaking abilities.

Kristie C — I Am Curious

Public policy is such a unique science — unlike many traditional sciences, students can’t experiment in labs with fully specified variables. The complexity of study and challenge of integrating knowledge first attracted me to Public Policy, and the classes I have since taken have only added to my love of my major.

I hope to work in community economic development — locally, nationally, or internationally — on issues related to poverty and inequality.

Travis H — I Am Passionate

My internship in the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office taught me about state politics as well as the personal relationships that keep the political process running.

Whether it was attending a committee meeting about state budget cuts or dinners where we learned the latest about biotechnology and how it affects the state of Georgia, I felt like I was gaining a great knowledge base — while having fun.

Amechi O — I Am Compassionate

I love knowing the “why” behind a decision, action, or event. To study why laws are made and the thought process behind them just seemed like the perfect fit for me. Ultimately, I want to be able to affect change by participating in the decision-making process behind laws and other policies that impact my community.