Policy degrees offer students a variety of career opportunities through both the broad topical range of public policy and the diverse skills acquired through policy programs. This can be seen in some of SPP’s recent graduates who will be starting their graduate education at Harvard University in fall 2021. While all have different career paths and policy focuses, they intend to use their skills gained at SPP to further research and action in their areas of interest.
Ethan Ebert-Zavos
B.A., public policy, B.S., business management ’21
Pursuing J.D. from Harvard University
During Ebert-Zavos’ time at UMD, his research primarily focused on economic policy and business regulation. He intends to center his career around these interests through employment with either the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Federal Trade Commission.
“At Harvard Law School, I will garner the tools necessary for developing novel financial mechanisms and legal organizational strategies that promote the establishment of more impact-oriented business ventures in the United States,” says Ebert-Zavos. “Ultimately, I hope to be able to utilize my education to protect the rights of consumers and to advocate for a revamped, stakeholder-focused version of capitalism.”
Ebert-Zavos found that his public policy undergraduate degree has prepared him well for law school and his future career as an attorney. Through coursework, group projects, and interactions with professors, he honed his public speaking, critical thinking and writing skills. Ebert-Zavos was also a member of the Kappa Omega Alpha fraternity, which served as a critical source for academic and professional development as a student at UMD.
Because the law school application process can be rigorous and exhausting, Ebert-Zavos offered words of encouragement and advice to students who aspire to pursue a law degree. He recommends that students interested in a legal career reach out to practicing lawyers and current law school students to network and better understand the legal field. Ebert-Zavos also found on-campus involvement helpful to understand what legal and policy areas he was most passionate about, so he can translate these interests into his career and graduate studies.
“Please do not listen to the people that will tell you not to attend law school,” says Ebert-Zavos. “Believe me; you will hear this a lot. If you are determined, goal-oriented, and intellectually curious, you will certainly succeed in this profession!”
Melina Sotiriou
B.A., government and politics, public policy ’18
Pursuing a master of theological studies from Harvard University
Following her graduate education, Sotiriou aspires to work within the community activism sphere, empowering activists with the information they need to maximize the impact of their work. In particular, she is interested in alleviating food insecurity.
“At Harvard Divinity School, I will pursue a Master’s in theological studies with a focus in religion and social sciences, which will offer me unparalleled insight into religion's dynamics within civil society while improving my research methodology skills,” explains Sotiriou. “I’m looking forward to working in food insecurity and how faith's relationship with hunger can be transformed from charitable giving into social enterprises to close the hunger and food waste gap.”
Sotiriou also feels well-prepared to enter into the community activism space with the skills that she developed as a policy student. Given the unique challenges within the social justice space, Sotiriou values her pragmatism and ability to analyze datas, as well as her critical thinking and problem solving skills. She has also gained an awareness of the role of ethics within policy and activism and engages with ethical questions during the decision-making process.
With the diversity of career paths within the policy and social justice space, Sotiriou suggests that students remain open to opportunities that involve their interests, even if it is not perfectly aligned with their prior experiences.
“I encourage students to seek opportunities outside of their comfort zone early and frequently,” says Sotiriou. “Apply for everything that sparks your interest and keep your mentors informed of your plans.”
Mark Cerasoli
B.A., public policy, B.S., microbiology ’21
Pursuing PhD in immunology from Harvard University
As an undergraduate student, Cerasoli became particularly interested in science and health policy, which led him to pursue research on how immunology can be used to combat human disease.
“I hope to direct the focus of my research on T cell biology while pursuing my Ph.D, and continue into a scientific career developing cell-based immunotherapies to treat human diseases,” explains Cerasoli.
Although he does not intend to pursue a policy-based career, his SPP education has helped Cerasoli to understand the greater societal implication of scientific research and to consider ethical and policy concerns regarding his research areas. Regardless of his role in the future, Cerasoli can now place his work in the policy context.
“While not constantly connected to my future scientific pursuits, my SPP education has helped broaden my worldview and will prove invaluable when considering the wider impact of research regarding questions of equitability and science policy, an area which I hope to be active in after my graduate study,” says Cerasoli.
Cerasoli found the research opportunities offered to UMD students, such as the departmental honors programs, an excellent resource to improve his graduate application.
“For Ph.D programs, one of the most important features of strong applicants is research experience,” says Cerasoli. “I would highly urge anyone considering pursuing a research career to try to find longitudinal research opportunities, either on campus or off, where they can pick up skills, learn the research process, and potentially get to lead their own project.”