David Reid - Master of Policy Studies

Graduate Intern, Australian Capital Territory Government

The Master of Policy Studies (MPS) program has been invaluable for my career. During my study I applied and was accepted for the ACT Government Graduate Program for the 2011 intake. I feel that I would not have been able to achieve such a great appointment without the skills and knowledge I gained from the MPS program and I am looking forward to a progressive career thanks to these tools.

During the program, I learnt about the value of policy in any organization. Policy is about resolving problems, allowing for innovation and creating rational procedures to ensure effective organizations. To me, the program allowed me to improve my skills immensely, practice the teachings, and network with like-minded students.

The program was structured very well. I believe Chris Walker has developed an excellent framework for students to be able to be challenged and excel. I found the lessons to be informative, interesting and appealing. Speaking from his own experiences, Chris related positive lessons to us which allowed us to apply the lessons in our own policy assignments. I also found plenty of opportunities to work with classmates and make new friends during these assignments.

As part of the program, I particularly enjoyed two aspects. The first was the regular guest speakers, such as Hal Colebatch and Peter Shergold. They were both experts in their fields and were inspiring to listen to. The second aspect I enjoyed was the Policy Project module. This is where students create their own policy with an outside organization. I conducted a research and policy report for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) and I really enjoyed this as I could craft my own project and gain valuable work experience.

I would definitely recommend the MPS program to other students. The coursework is fascinating, the schedules are easy and the program allows you to apply your knowledge to real life. But I think the best aspect of the program would have to be the opportunity to network with other students. Policy students range in occupations and interests, backgrounds and ideas. This allows for the communication of new ideas, collaboration during research and not just going to class to learn, but to enjoy.