mjmusic
02-27-2008, 12:14 AM
This post is going to be rather long in order to give a full explanation of my situation at this time. In January 2007, I finished a master's degree in political science with a concentration in international relations. When I completed the MA degree at that time, I was very excited about the new possibilities that awaited my interest. However, as time progresses, the opportunities that I thought were open to me at least on an educational attainment level, were not open due to lack of experience. Among some of the opportunities that I originally went to graduate school in the first place include the possibilities of working as a political science professor at a community college, working for the CIA, DIA, or the State Department, or working in non-profit.
In order to become a community college professor in California, you must posses a master's degree, and deep knowledge of the subject area. However, most community colleges would rather have a Ph.D in political science instead of someone with just a master's. As for the CIA or any other government agency, from my experience, having experience or having specific skills such as foreign language skills will benefit you more in terms of being seriously considered for a position at the CIA, DIA, or State department.
Applying for non profit organizations in Los Angeles has gone somewhat better. I have received several interviews with various non profits. I did actually receive a job offer from a well known non profit last May. However, the starting salary was way too low for me to live on and I have had to turn it down sadly.
After turning down the non profit, I did accept an offer to begin interning at a congressional campaign in Los Angeles. I worked there for eight months for free doing opposition research. While I loved the doing the work since it was intellectually stimulating, the campaign suspended operations this month so the internship ended, however the experience I got was valuable. I have been offered a public policy internship with a non profit non partisan think tank that the former candidate for Congress I interned for is connected to, doing public policy research in connection to issues concerning young voters. I am probably going to take the internship opportunity since its more experience.
I have also participated in several academic conferences, presenting papers on various U.S. foreign policy issues. My next conference is next month in San Diego. The purpose of these conferences is for networking opportunities and to gain experience researching, writing, and analyzing public policy topics and presenting these papers in front of policy makers, Ph.D professors, and general members of the audience. The skills and experience I receive from participating in these conferences I believe is valuable in terms of getting serious consideration for governmental or teaching positions.
While I have been gathering all of this experience, I have been working at a financial planning firm for the last six years while going through college and graduate school doing minor office work such as filing, answering phones, and just general office support in terms of what the office staff needs from me from time to time. There is no growth potential whatsoever and the job is rather boring and extremely routine. I should be happy I have the job, (which I am.) The office superiors have allowed me for the past year to conduct job interviews while still being employed, and they have placed me on the profit sharing plan as of last year, in addition to providing me with general benefits (with the exception of providing health insurance) even though officially, I am part time. Yet though, the job is a real drag in terms of real potential, and there is no way they will ever consider me for a real full time position.
Several other MA graduates that were in the same program as I am have gone on to get some great positions that they are rather happy with including working in the Israeli consulate in L.A., working for a Japanese newspaper, working in the California State University's chancellor's office, among other opportunities that have blessed my fellow colleagues and friends.
I have good references personally, and professionally. However though, I feel like I am in a rut, and not much inspiration at this time. I am hopeful that I can receive help friendly advice if its at all possible from some of you out there that maybe in the same situation or have been in this situation before. Hopefully, I can get some positive feedback. Thank you for reading.
In order to become a community college professor in California, you must posses a master's degree, and deep knowledge of the subject area. However, most community colleges would rather have a Ph.D in political science instead of someone with just a master's. As for the CIA or any other government agency, from my experience, having experience or having specific skills such as foreign language skills will benefit you more in terms of being seriously considered for a position at the CIA, DIA, or State department.
Applying for non profit organizations in Los Angeles has gone somewhat better. I have received several interviews with various non profits. I did actually receive a job offer from a well known non profit last May. However, the starting salary was way too low for me to live on and I have had to turn it down sadly.
After turning down the non profit, I did accept an offer to begin interning at a congressional campaign in Los Angeles. I worked there for eight months for free doing opposition research. While I loved the doing the work since it was intellectually stimulating, the campaign suspended operations this month so the internship ended, however the experience I got was valuable. I have been offered a public policy internship with a non profit non partisan think tank that the former candidate for Congress I interned for is connected to, doing public policy research in connection to issues concerning young voters. I am probably going to take the internship opportunity since its more experience.
I have also participated in several academic conferences, presenting papers on various U.S. foreign policy issues. My next conference is next month in San Diego. The purpose of these conferences is for networking opportunities and to gain experience researching, writing, and analyzing public policy topics and presenting these papers in front of policy makers, Ph.D professors, and general members of the audience. The skills and experience I receive from participating in these conferences I believe is valuable in terms of getting serious consideration for governmental or teaching positions.
While I have been gathering all of this experience, I have been working at a financial planning firm for the last six years while going through college and graduate school doing minor office work such as filing, answering phones, and just general office support in terms of what the office staff needs from me from time to time. There is no growth potential whatsoever and the job is rather boring and extremely routine. I should be happy I have the job, (which I am.) The office superiors have allowed me for the past year to conduct job interviews while still being employed, and they have placed me on the profit sharing plan as of last year, in addition to providing me with general benefits (with the exception of providing health insurance) even though officially, I am part time. Yet though, the job is a real drag in terms of real potential, and there is no way they will ever consider me for a real full time position.
Several other MA graduates that were in the same program as I am have gone on to get some great positions that they are rather happy with including working in the Israeli consulate in L.A., working for a Japanese newspaper, working in the California State University's chancellor's office, among other opportunities that have blessed my fellow colleagues and friends.
I have good references personally, and professionally. However though, I feel like I am in a rut, and not much inspiration at this time. I am hopeful that I can receive help friendly advice if its at all possible from some of you out there that maybe in the same situation or have been in this situation before. Hopefully, I can get some positive feedback. Thank you for reading.