Graduate policy analyst

"I have recently been employed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) as a Graduate Policy Analyst. I'm really excited about this position because it's a growth and development role that focuses on performing policy analysis and research tasks, so it'll be great to put the theories I have learned through my postgraduate studies into practice.

"I think that completing a taught Master of Public Policy has increased my employability because it's provided me with a comprehensive skill set, including the ability to analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and write reviews, policy briefs and reports. It's crucial that employers know they can have total confidence in your skills because actioning careless analysis can have serious consequences.

"I really enjoyed the Master of Public Policy programme because of the specific courses in the degree which helped me to gain the skills I wanted. Additionally, there were numerous elective courses to choose from to further my knowledge in the areas I was really interested in.

"My experience as a postgraduate student was very enriching. There was more one-to-one time with lecturers and classes were very interactive, with a lot of thought-provoking discussions. The lecturers were very friendly, knowledgeable and approachable, which resulted in an enjoyable student experience.

"If you are interested in a career in policy making I would recommend that you consider a taught Master of Public Policy with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland to gain the essential skills which will help you stand out and be successful in your future employment, as it did for me."