Gain the competitive edge you need for a changing world.
The Schar School of Policy and Government offers comprehensive career and professional development services to prepare students for success. Offering individualized assistance to students and alumni, the Schar School's career advisors will help you explore career and internship opportunities, define your goals, and develop the skills needed for a successful job search, including crafting a resume and cover letter that stand out. We are committed to your professional success throughout your time at the Schar School, and in the years to follow as an alumni member.
Schedule an appointment to define your goals, explore career development opportunities, and engage in meaningful networking.
JOB POSTINGS & RECRUITMENT
Employers regularly engage with Schar School students through recruitment events, mock interviews, resume reviews, and more.
HANDSHAKE
Handshake is a university-wide database to provide additional support to Mason students in seeking internship and job positions.
To log-in to Handshake, you must use your Mason email Username and Password. If you have trouble logging into Handshake, please contact University Career Services at careers@gmu.edu or 703-993-2370.
UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES
University Career Services, located on the Fairfax Campus, offers a wide range of services to assist students and alumni in their career search.
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
The Career Development Office hosts career and professional development events throughout the year, including professional development workshops, employer information sessions and panels, career fairs, and other networking opportunities. These events connect students with employers, industry professionals, fellow classmates, and alumni.
GRADUATE STUDENT SUCCESS SEMINAR SERIES
A signature program of the Schar School, the Gradaute Student Success Seminar is a free, optional non-credit program designed for first-year master's students. In the program, you will identify your personal strengths and develop a plan for professional success that aligns with your time at Mason.
RESUME REVIEWS AND ADVISING APPOINTMENTS
Learn to write an effective and memorable resume that positions you as a job candidate. Resume clinics are offered each semester to help you craft a powerful document, and individual reviews are also available by appointment.
Meet with our career advisors to discuss career exploration strategies, tips for meaningful networking, how to prepare for an interview, and more topics for career development as a student and future alumni member.
To schedule an advising appointment, contact the Career Development Office.
REFERENCE GUIDES & RESOURCES
SCHAR SCHOOL CAREER SERVICES RESOURCES AND GUIDES
- Presidential Management Fellowship information
- Resume Guide
- Cover Letter Guide
- Practical Job Advice (Robert L. Deitz, Professor of Public Policy)
- Congratulations — You Just Got Hired is now available in paperback through Amazon.
- Avoiding Job Scams
- Reference and Recommendation Letters
- MPP Emphasis Handout
- Job Opportunities
- Job Hunting for International Students (University Career Services)
- MPA Concentration Areas
- GCP Concentration Areas
EVENTS & WEBINARS
CAREER WEBINARS
The Schar School Career Development Office provides webinars on various career topics. Live recordings of those webinars can be viewed and materials associated with those webinars can be downloaded.
ANNUAL SCHAR SCHOOL CAREER FAIR
The Schar School Career Fair is held annually during each spring semester, attracting employers from all sectors who interested in discussing career and internship opportunities with Schar School graduate students.
MENTORING & NETWORKING
With more than 1,500 current students and a growing network of more than 16,000 Schar School alumni (in addition to the network of the full university community), you have powerful channels to build career connections. In addition to networking with classmates, faculty, staff, and community members at Schar School speaker events and programming, you may be interested in the following:
You may already follow the Schar School on our official LinkedIn page, but did you know there is a LinkedIn group hosted by the Office of Career Development? This professional online networking resource allows students, alumni, faculty, and staff to network and maintain contact with each other. Visit linkedin.com to request membership to the group.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
No matter your professional interest or career goal, there is likely a professional organization that would be a strong fit for you. Browse our list of professional organizations where many of our student have volunteered their time or gained experience.
Professional Organizations
- American Association of Political Consultants
- American Political Science Association
- American Society of Association Executives (parent organization of the Center for Association Leadership)
- American Society for Training & Development
- Association for Conflict Resolution
- Association of Former Intelligence Officers
- Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement
- Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
- Association for Women’s Rights in Development
- Association of Women in International Trade
- Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense
- Chesapeake Bay Organization Development Network
- Common Ground Research Networks
- DC LinkTank
- European Trade Study Group
- Foreign Policy Association
- Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies
- Global Health Next Generation Network
- International Studies Association
- Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
- Midwest Political Science Association
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- National Council of Nonprofits
- National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics
- The Association for Global Logistics and Transporation
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Organization Development Network
- Philadelphia Region Organization Development Network
- Public Affairs Council
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health
- Society for International Development
- Society of Health Policy Young Professionals
- Team Populism
- Washington International Trade Association
- Washington International Trade Association, Young Trade Professionals
- Washington Network Group
- Women in Government Relations
- Women in International Security
- Women’s Foreign Policy Group
- Women’s Transportation Seminar
- Young Professionals in Foreign Policy
- Young Professionals in International Affairs
- Young Professionals in Transportation, D.C. Chapter
CAREER ADVICE
Top 5 Tips to Ace Any Interview
With a slight change in mindset and some intentional preparation, anyone can be successful in an interview situation. Read 5 tips to help you improve your interviewing skills.
How to Be Successful in a “Last Minute” Internship Search
Conducting a "last minute" internship search? From utilizing Schar School 'Careers-Now' to connecting with our 16,000+ alumni, here's what you need to get started.
4 Tips for Enhancing Your Resume
Is your resume in need of a refresh? Skip the objective statement, and create a resume of value.