Harris Public Policy Releases 2019 Career Outcomes Report

CHICAGO — March 22, 2019 — Today, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy released its third annual Career Outcomes Report, revealing the class of 2018’s post-graduation employment data. Of the 187 students seeking employment this year, 97 percent received job offers, with 85 percent having accepted offers within three months of graduating. 

Similar to the previous two years, the report found strong employment outcomes across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, underscoring the versatility and adaptability of a public policy degree from Harris Public Policy. In fact, 41 percent of students reported taking a private sector position, 32 percent went on to work for non-profits, and 27 percent accepted public sector roles. These new graduates working in policy-related careers most commonly reported working in economics and fiscal policy, health policy, education policy, and data science.

“Harris is committed to giving our students the tools they need not only to find a job, but embark on a career that is fulfilling. As the first policy school to report on post-graduate job satisfaction, we are focused on putting students on a path to make an impact.”

– Jeremy Edwards, senior associate dean, Academic and Student Affairs at Harris

83 percent of students reported being satisfied with their jobs, with 16 percent neutral, a key indication that graduates are securing employment at the right organizations in the right roles. 

This year, the report also summarized internship opportunities for the graduating class of 2019. 96 percent of students seeking summer employment found internship employment, most commonly in health policy, social policy and inequality, and energy policy. These outcomes underscore Harris’ commitment to supporting the entire student journey through employer partnerships, mentoring, and career counseling and development.

The 2019 Outcomes Report highlights the positive impact that Harris alumni have across the globe. Of the 187 students who graduated in the 2018 class, 170 (91 percent) reported employment information. Out of those 170 who reported, 155 were seeking employment, and 15 graduates were not seeking employment for reasons such as continuing education and entrepreneurship.

To view the full Harris Public Policy 2019 Career Outcomes Report or to learn more about the Career Development Office resources for students, alumni, and employers, please visit harris.uchicago.edu/hireharris.