Hi, I am an international student who just enrolled into the IA master program at GW and need your suggestion. If my ultimate goal is to be an East Asia (especially China) expert in a DC think tank or a private consulting company like RAND and Eurasia, shall I try to get an entry-level job in a think tank or go for a PhD degree immediately after MA? If a PhD is suggested, shall I stay in DC or apply for other Top10 IA schools?
I have heard that the competition for an entry-level job in think tanks is extremely heated. Also, the job choice for a PhD student who does not want to work in academia is quite limited. So I am feeling a bit stressed. Shall I give up my IA plan and do something more REALISTIC? I need your suggestion. Thanks.