Category: Public Policy and Political Economy

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I chose to study IPE with a minor in Ethnic studies because of my interest in and connection to global affairs and social justice. As someone who comes from a diverse cultural background, I am drawn to the intricate relationships between politics and ethnic and cultural diversity.

It’s incredibly unique that UTD even offers an IPE degree at the undergraduate level, and as someone interested in the intersection of science, technology, and public policy, I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to take courses focused on those intersections.

I allowed myself to explore. It took calculus, psychology, sociology, economics, history, language, music, literature, and finally coding classes to finally have a full idea of what I wanted to do with my life, and I’m more certain now than ever.

I came into UTD as an Economics major, and while I really enjoy all of econ classes I wanted to learn a wider variety of topics in college. I switched to International Political Economy at the end of my first semester, and now I am able to take classes that really interest me like Human Rights or Latin American History and have it count towards my major.

Mary Elbanna BA ‘16, MPP ‘16, chief of staff for Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, discusses the value of her experiences at UT Dallas and her internships as a student. Elbanna’s first internship, which she discovered through UT Dallas, led to her jobs as campaign manager and chief of staff for Johnson.

Look for opportunities to dive into the work you think you want to pursue. There’s no better way to determine if you’ll truly enjoy a particular path than actually walking it.

Take the most rigorous, challenging courses that you can in order to differentiate yourself.

Always look at the big picture and be passionate about your career goals. Everything is possible with hard work and dedication.

There is a wealth of knowledge available to you in EPPS. Absorb all that you can while you have the opportunity.

I was able to meet such wonderful facilitators and colleagues in EPPS. Without their help, I would never have been able to complete my academic study successfully.

UTD is an excellent place to study. Learn as much as you can while you’re here. I love Public Policy and Political Economics!

I would strongly encourage students to have experiences away from UT Dallas — whether through an internship, a language immersion program or an exchange with a different university — to broaden your understanding of the world.

I learned very practical skills that apply directly to the real world workforce.

Focus on the reason you chose your degree/field and look for opportunities to put what you’ve learned in action.

Covering public policy is challenging, but my UT Dallas education provided me with strong analysis and evaluation skills.

There were many devoted faculty members and staff who made time to give me counsel and thought.

Work hard, challenge yourself, and do not be afraid to take constructive risks.