Jobs, Internships and Graduate School

Choose Your Path

Batten graduates pursue careers in a variety of industries—from nonprofits and NGOs to private sector and government consulting.

Students also use internships to gain real-world experience and determine career interests. A 400-hour internship is a cornerstone of our Master of Public Policy degree. Many students also choose graduate school, whether here at UVA or at another institution.

Whatever path you take, we have resources and advice to support you along the way.

Hiring Timelines

Typical hiring timelines for fields where Batten graduates often work:

July – November: 8-10 months in advance
  • Consulting (private sector and government/nonprofit sector)
  • Investment banking and finance
  • Intelligence and security organizations (CIA, FBI, NSA, DIA, etc.)
    • The hiring timelines for these organizations is early because of the length of time it often takes to complete the security clearance process (6 months to one year or more).
  • Some bridge year/fellowship programs, including Presidential Management Fellows, Fulbright, and Teach for America
  • Some international organizations, including World Bank and United Nations  
December – July: 4-6 months in advance
  • Capitol Hill
  • Federal, state, and local government
    • Exceptions include federal opportunities that require a security clearance, such as the State Department
  • Full-time service, including AmeriCorps and Peace Corps
  • Nonprofit sector
  • Private sector (non-consulting)
  • Public interest groups
  • Research institutes and think tanks

 

We offer access to a number of job and internship resources and databases, including subscription resources. Login information and passwords for these sites are available in the student portal. Our resources include job listings, volunteer positions, internships, and application and interview information specific to various industries. 

Example resources include:

  • USAJobs.gov: Job and internship opportunities with the federal government
  • Jobs.Virginia.gov: Job and internship opportunities listed with the state of Virginia
  • Idealist.org: Job and internship opportunities with non-profits, NGOs, and more
  • Opportunities in Public Affairs: Subscription based database for jobs and internships in policy, research, government affairs, on capitol hill, and more
  • CareerShift: Subscription based database for jobs and internships all over the country

UVA has its own Peace Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA recruiters on staff. You can find contact information for the recruiters, as well as information on other bridge year programs, in the student portal

Example bridge year experiences include:

Internships provide opportunities to build the conceptual and practical skills that can only be acquired with hands-on learning. Our Career Services team can help you map out the internship best suited to your policy interests and professional development.

Master of Public Policy degree students complete a 400-hour internship during the summer between the first and second year. This requirement challenges students to put what they learn in the classroom into action. Funding support is available for students who accept unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations and government.

Example internship sites include:

  • Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • McGuireWoods Consulting
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville
  • Richmond Public Schools
  • The Brookings Institution
  • U.S. Department of Justice

Contact the Batten Career Services team for more information about this requirement. Current students can access requirement information in the student portal

The Batten Career Services team provides advising and resource support for students applying to graduate school, including law school and MBA programs.

The types of graduate programs Batten graduates typically pursue include:

  • JD: Howard University, Columbia Law School, UVA Law School
  • MS in Commerce: UVA McIntire School of Commerce
  • MPH: Yale University
  • MPA: UNC Chapel Hill
  • PhD in Education: George Washington University

Current Batten students can access more detailed graduate school resources in the student portal

Employment Outcomes for 2021 header

A Strong Foundation for a Strong Career

Batten graduates have the tools they need to succeed in the workplace. 95% of our 2020 BA and Master of Public Policy graduates secured a position within six months of graduation.