Victoria Knight

At Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, I took part in an intense seven-week Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) program aimed at preparing students for advanced degrees in public policy and law. Throughout the program, I took four courses: Law and Public Policy, Economics for Public Policy, Policy Analysis, and Quantitative Methods for Public Policy. Outside of the classroom, the program was filled with opportunities to connect with influential alumni and guest speakers, including Dean David Wilson, Robert Reich, and Janet Napolitano. We also had the chance to explore key institutions like the Governor’s Office of California, the Government Accountability Office, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This experience was incredibly eye-opening and rewarding. I’m grateful for the relationships I built with guest speakers and fellow participants, as well as the knowledge I gained. One thing that surprised me about my experience was the wide range of opportunities that come with a master’s in public policy. This degree allows you to work in various fields, from education and healthcare to environmental policy and government. These opportunities exceeded my expectations and showed me that I can achieve some of my goals without a law degree. As of right now, my goal is to continue my education and pursue a joint degree in Law and a Master’s in Public Policy.