Using a Policy Degree to Pivot: EMP Alumni Discuss Career Changes

Considering a career change? Wondering how a degree in Public Policy can help you achieve your professional goals? Join alumni from the Evening Master's Program to learn how they balanced working while attending the program, and how they leveraged the degree to pivot their careers.

Jake J. Smith, AM'20, was a former writer, editor, and journalist, and now serves as a data scientist in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he analyzes violent crime trends and drug sentencing policy, and uses data tools to help detect possible criminal activity. 

Adrian Rodriguez, AM'20, serves as a Data Specialist and Business Advisor at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has dedicated his professional career to advocating for his community, and has experience working for the government, nonprofit at and private sector. He worked for federal Mexico’s government in Tijuana, Baja California, as legal Affairs Coordinator before starting at the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno, California, in Cultural and Community Affairs. Later, Rodriguez worked at the Consulate of Mexico in Chicago in Legal, and Protection Affairs, specialized in immigration. Additionally, Adrian worked in the technology industry for more than two years.

Grace Geremias, AM'20, graduated from undergrad with an Interdisciplinary Health degree concentrating on Health Diversity. She started her career in the non-profit sector focusing on community health, disease prevention and program management. From working at Head Starts as a Health Advocate to coordinating HIV prevention programs for Asian and African immigrants, Geremias has spent the majority of her career working directly in the community. As a means to widen her skillset and impact, she attended the University of Chicago to get her MA in Public Policy. With the skills developed through the Evening Master’s Program, Geremias pivoted to the business side of healthcare as a Strategy Consultant for Health Care Service Corporation. Her professional experiences and public policy background have taken her through multiple facets and sectors of the health industry.