What department are you a graduate student in?

I am a sixth-year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science.

Why did you decide to go to graduate school?

I wanted to go to graduate school to increase my professional options and career prospects. It has given me the necessary skills to prepare me both for a career in academia or in the private sector.

Did your interests change throughout your program?

My research interests are in the field of comparative politics. More specifically, I study business-state relations, corruption, and the rule of law with a geographic focus on Russia and the former Soviet Union. My research interests have not changed since starting graduate school.

What do you want to do with your advanced degree?

I would like to get a job either in academia, or as a research analyst for the government or in the private sector.

Katelyn Hess is a sixth-year Political Science Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science. You can learn more about Katelyn here.

Source for featured image: https://katie-hess.com/