The University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) partnered with APSIA to host a Public and International Student Advisor (PISA) Workshop for 12 advisors from around California on December 6, 2019.

With financial support from the Robertson Foundation for Government, the School of Global Policy and Strategy is one of three APSIA schools selected nationwide to host a PISA Network training. This workshop featured a comparative look at professional graduate degrees, advice on helping students discern the best fit for them in a global marketplace, and resources for the advisors to help their students better prepare an application to and find funding for graduate school.

An alumni panel featured those working at the US Commercial Service, US Dept of State, US Dept of the Navy, Greater Los Angeles, Federal Executive Board, Port of San Diego, and Pasha Automotive Services. It highlighted the broad range of career opportunities available to graduates in public and international service. Content was coordinated by the GPS Office of Graduate Admissions and the GPS Deans Office.

“Our interactive discussions helped talk through some of the barriers to students’ success, share resources advisors need to champion their students, and explain ways APSIA and graduate programs like ours can assist,” said Sonja Steinbrech, GPS Director of Degree Program Enrollment. “Area career counselors and academic advisors who help undergrads explore these areas were able to connect with each other and find tools for their toolkits. “

The following institutions will now have at least one Public and International Service Advisor on campus:

San Diego Mesa College

San Diego State University

Stanford University

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Riverside

University of California, San Diego

Launched in 2018, the Public and International Service Advisor (PISA) Network brings together undergraduate advisors across the United States to advance understanding of the professions of international affairs, public policy, and public administration on their campuses. The Network provides support for and recognition of advisors as they counsel students to pursue careers in all of these fields.