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jenn_conn

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    Public Administration/Transportation

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  1. I am currently a college sophomore at a top 50 liberal arts college in the U.S. and intend on majoring in Mathematics and minors in Urban Studies and Community Action. I am interested in working in government in logistics management and/or transportation planning. I am unsure about what exactly I should be looking at for graduate school and feel that I need to get a sense of my direction before I apply to internships, am more set in my college curriculum, etc. As a potential math major, I get almost no advising on government careers particularly in the fields that I would like to work in - most of the math majors at my school end up becoming actuaries or work in corporate sector finance. I would really love some help on getting a sense on what I should be doing as a student interested in working in government in logistics management and transportation planning. So here is my background: Major: Mathematics Minors: Urban Studies and Community Action GPA: 3.3 out of 4.0 (I believe is low for graduate school, 3.47 overall undergraduate GPA with summer courses at other institutions) Other notes: First-generation college student, Pell Grant eligible This summer, I interned at my local Transportation Planning and Zoning Office and was very interested in the work that my city transportation planner and zoning managers did - I was most interested in the Project Coordinator's work, planning and managing assets/money for different transportation projects in the city. I also shadowed at my regional Department of Transportation office and also was most interested in the work that transportation analysts were doing with project management of different transportation projects in the region. During the school year, I work as a tech project coordinator of a non-profit organization with about 50,000 followers. I also have some experience managing non-profit mentoring programs and have worked with UNICEF on a mapping project. Because of these experiences, I thought of pursuing a Master's in Public Administration, but after reading posts on the GradCafe and other sources, many consider it a worthless degree. Most of the arguments made outlined was that the degree is a total waste of money - one could develop the same skills and learn the same material while working in the government. I was wondering would a Master in Public Administration truly fit my career interests? Would a degree in transportation management be better? Who should I reach out in order to get a better understanding of whether or not the degree is right for me? I was also worried about my GPA and the major I am intending to choose. I have looked at the requirements for both Master in Public Administration and Master in Transportation Management programs and most require at least two years worth of college math (which would be great for me!). But I also feel (especially for an MPA), I would be at a serious disadvantage to other students if I do not major in government, political science, economics, public policy, etc. because I may not be getting the firm government institution coursework with majoring in Mathematics. Is my reasoning correct? I am also worried that my GPA may not be as high as students who are not majoring in a STEM field - I believe my main priority first is to increase my GPA, because I should be aiming to attend the best graduate school as possible (which I may not be able to with a low GPA) and as a low-income student, should try to seek as much funding as possible. What do you think about my grades and would my grades be highly considered in a MPA program? Are there any other suggestions and/or advice for me? Any websites/resources I can read in order to get a better sense about graduate MPA or Master in Transportation Management Programs and my career goals in general? Any programs that I should possibly look to apply for either next semester or the summer? Thank you so much!
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