"Part of it is that [before] there were a few employers who knew about [the programs] whereas when the program gets established there are more people out there who know about it," says Golden. "It may just be a broadening of the network."

A Resume Bonus

And many of the two-year masters students say that the degree will be a bonus on their resumes. Baldwin, who worked as an analyst in George Bush's presidential campaign, said he came to the Kennedy School in part to "hone down the edges because I am sort of self-taught."

"A Kennedy School degree makes me legitimate," Baldwin says.

But while many students appear to be moving away from pure government careers, Kennedy School faculty say they are confident that the school's focus remains the same.

Many K-School affilates say that the recent trend toward non-government jobs is a temporary phenomenon--the byproduct of a Reagan era disaffection with big government bureaucracy.

"During the Reagan era government was not something you felt like rushing into...Recently, Massachusetts hasn't been a good area either," says Zeckhauser.

"We've had 12 years in the government now saying that government isn't the place to be," says Lee.

And as the political climate in the country begins to change, Stavins says, many of the students who are now turning away from government jobs will begin to re-evaluate their priorities.

"I believe that with the change from Reagan to Bush we are going to see a lot more interest in service," Stavins says, "That change in government, in addition to changes that are going on nationally are going to reflect in an increase in government and public service."