The puzzle that is public policy and public affairs
The Baker School is a school of public policy and public affairs, but our undergraduate curriculum leads to a degree in public affairs. Some might ask what the difference is between the two, or how they are related to one another. The answer – they are the pieces of the puzzle that bring the big picture into focus.
Public policy boils down to what is on the public agenda, carrying out or implementing a course of action. It is typically completed by government actors but can be what quasi-public or nonprofit organizations do on behalf of the government. This could include nonprofit agencies such as the Urban League contracting with local government to assist with housing and job placement and Chambers of Commerce working with local governments to attract companies with good jobs to a community.
For public affairs there are a variety of definitions, but the common denominator in each is the broader context of public policy and politics. It encompasses all the actors involved, expanding on the conversation about policy — what is working, what isn’t, and what can be done. Public affairs is the dialogue that goes into policy – how it is going to work, how to get the public to be aware of it and support it, and how to show the impact it has.
Why a degree in public affairs?
To put it simply, public affairs gets to the core of how policy fits into the broader context of American society. Because of that, our curriculum has a broader interdisciplinary approach to public policy. We include courses in analytics, communications, economics, strategy and more. All these different components go into making public policy work.
Why make a career in public policy and public affairs?
A career choice in public policy and public affairs could help you to improve the evaluation of policies, or you could work on the front end of creating the policy. This occurs at every level of government – local, state, federal, the nonprofit sector and government partner agencies.
As in any career field, some traits will help you succeed. We asked Bill Lyons, who spent the better part of 16 years as Chief Policy Officer at the City of Knoxville, now associate director for community outreach at the Institute of American Civics, what those might be. “Analytics, communication skills (internal and external), and organizational skills will take you a long way and allow you to be flexible in a public policy and public affairs career.”
If you want to make a difference, have a rewarding career, be part of improving government and in turn help people improve their quality of life, then a career in public policy and public affairs is your field.