Okay, I think I got it this time.

Jun 26, 2009 01:46

Before I start, thanks so much to all of you for not only being open with your advice but also with details about the kinds of situations that some of you have found yourself in. I don't think I could have made it through applications this past year-ish without reading this page ( Read more... )

lessons learned, rejection, mpp

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endxgame June 26 2009, 12:46:54 UTC
I'd just suggest that it might not be the best idea to get a professional degree at this point. Do you think you can get a job in a field you like without one?

Unless you can pay for the professional degree without taking on huge debt I don't know if it's worth it if you're only planning on being in that field for a few years before applying for a PhD. If you're paying back your loan for for the next four years it is going to make it to go to grad school immediately when you think you're ready.

It sounds like a good plan, but I just don't know if an expensive professional degree is 100% needed. I'd apply for some government/NGO/whatever jobs right now and keep the option open for still applying for a MPP or whatever in the winter. If you can get a decent (even if low paying) job in the field you want now that I wouldn't bother pursuing the extra degree.

But that's me.

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emoleys June 26 2009, 21:39:03 UTC
I think you're right. I definitely agree that taking on a master's program like this will add to my debt, especially if the ultimate goal is a PhD program. However, I do want to work in NGO/nonprofits for a while just as much as I would like to do a PhD program. Also, part of my reasoning for getting a professional degree first is that academia is becoming an increasingly difficult field to get a job in (not that any other field isn't). My rationale is that even if I don't manage to get a job at a university after a PhD program, the fact that I have a professional degree will definitely give me another option for another job elsewhere.

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idealforcolors June 27 2009, 00:49:17 UTC
it sounds to me as though if you're open to seeing where the NGO/nonprofit route could lead you - as a possible career in its own right, not JUST a step to a PhD - then it would be a worthwhile thing to explore and perhaps give you better and wider job prospects. if you're only doing it because you're 100% positive you want to go the academic route and it'll give you an extra credential, though, in my opinion it could be way too expensive and time consuming a route compared to applying to different ma programs. but yeah, more job prospects = a fantastic idea, academia is scary in that respect....

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sarahkathleen June 27 2009, 03:23:31 UTC
I agree with this. I think it depends on what you want to do with your degrees when you're done. I don't think it'll hurt to get an MPP/MPA, but I'd also offer that there are cheaper ways to get practical experience in whatever issues that interest you without paying for a professional degree. I did AmeriCorps for a year and have worked at a non-profit for nearly two years. At the very least, you could volunteer somewhere. I'm going back for my MPA in the fall, but I'm not doing it so I can learn about the cultural phenomena that I'm interested in. For instance, I'm interested in the issues surrounding the juvenile justice system, but I'm not going back to school to learn about the system (having worked in it already.) I'm going back to get a lot of the tools and information I need to be effective in that sector (grant writing/management/budgets/law.)

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emoleys June 26 2009, 21:41:00 UTC
My professor told me something along the lines of that too. I think that it was the most comforting advice I got!

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freddie June 26 2009, 13:24:09 UTC
I was in your same boat, got rejected everywhere I applied. So I researched which English MA programs offer funding, applied and got into and funded at one, and then got into a PhD program where I am very happy. I worked like crazy in the MA program, of course, and I would say that you should do it only if you're sure that you're going to get great grades. But it is another opportunity to build your resume. Personally, I know several profs in my department who like to see a strong professional resume in any field before someone applies for their PhD; I think it suggests to them that you are mature enough to hold a job, and that's what being a doctoral student is, a job ( ... )

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freddie June 28 2009, 15:36:50 UTC
Somebody posted a link, in this forum, that had a list of funded English MA programs, and to my surprise (and happiness) the big pubic U in my state was on there. I googled for a bit but can't find the link, does anybody have it?

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emoleys June 26 2009, 21:43:29 UTC
Phew! Thank goodness. I'm hoping that doing work for a professional degree will also give me research experience that I'll need for a PhD. I'm going to apply for scholarships and funding. I know that there's no guarantee, but somehow, this feels more solid and realistic than my approach last year.

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royinpink June 26 2009, 21:26:46 UTC
I don't think it will damage your possibilities at all--help them, more likely--as long as it's what you want and you can do well. PhD programs often do appreciate some work experience, age, whatever demonstrates maturity (good grades at an MA program can work the same way).

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