Galen H. Smith III
Galen H. Smith III
When did you graduate?
Summer 2010
What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program?
Walking at Commencement; the sense of accomplishment associated with defending the dissertation; attending health care conferences with classmates; recognition associated with personal accomplishments (i.e., Student Paper awards); sharing in the successes of my classmates.
What are the top 3 things you took away from the PPOL program?
• The various theoretical perspectives that guide policymaking.
• A comprehensive understanding of the various research methods and design.
• A comprehensive understanding of microeconomic theory and applications.
What advice would you give new students about how to succeed in graduate school?
Master the quantitative methods (linear regression, logistic regression, factor analysis, cluster analysis, time series analysis); master the policy theories and perspectives; select a dissertation topic early and target class projects to coincide with that topic.
Any suggestions or tips for job search and preparing for going on the job market?
If pursuing a career in academia, develop a publishing agenda early in graduate studies; match your individual strengths to opportunities that prevail in the job marketplace.