[Career Question From an Undergraduate]

1 hour ago, Rusty22 said:

Hi everyone, 

I'm hoping this is an appropriate place to be asking this question because I need some help. I'm really struggling to figure out what to do with my life, but if there is one thing I know for certain it is that education in general interests me. University has helped me to recognize the importance of education and being educated oneself, and I'm beginning to develop a passion for learning and sharing knowledge with others. However, I simply do not know what to do about these interests. I think the big problem for me is that I just don't know what my options are, and whenever I ask people I seem to get insufficient answers. For example, whenever I try to approach someone about careers in education I am essentially always told that I can become a teacher and nothing else. Perhaps being a teacher would be a good choice for me, or at least a good start to a career in education, but I would love to know what my options would be for career advancement after that. I'm only disclosing this information because it seems relevant to the kind of career I could pursue, but I receive all A's and A+'s in my undergraduate courses, so perhaps there would be some form of graduate school that I should be looking into for a good career in education? 

 

This post seems somewhat vague thus far... but I really just would love to know what KINDS of careers one could pursue in education and what kind of graduate school I should be looking into. I only ask here because I know lots of you would have tons of experience with applying to graduate school and considering various career paths in education, so maybe some of you experienced the same feelings that I am right now! If I wasn't specific enough about my interests or anything like that, just let me know and I will be happy to disclose more information! Thanks for taking the time to read this anyways  

Hi Rusty!

I’m going to give an answer that I think might be atypical...

What are your interests outside of education?

I would strongly encourage you to pursue another career in industry. Business, Marketing, Biomed, Law, etc...whatever you are interested in. And maybe a masters in one of those related fields.

Work for a few years. Build a nest egg. And then if teaching still interests you, pursue an alternative certification. Once you have your alternative certification, you will be able to take the content test to teach whatever you would like to teach in most states.

I say this because I think that it is good to have options and I think working outside of education gives unique insight into education. Also keep in mind that there are many ways to share and educate without having to be a teacher.

Career advancement does typically look like Teaching —> Campus Level Admin —> Central Office/District Admin. Depending on what your educational interests are there could be some variance in there. You could be an instructional coach or a technology specialist. You could also go the route of industry first and then work at the district level in some professional capacity. For instance, nearly every school district has a general counsel (legal services) or a public relations/communications department.

What are you studying in undergrad right now? Where are you in your undergraduate journey? Could you get a pedagogy class in there somewhere as an elective? That will give you a better feel for what it means to teach and what is required.

 

[Let’s just TALK about it...]

On 12/27/2017 at 9:43 AM, LolJustAdmitMe said:

I love how goal oriented and unapologetic you are about your academic endeavors! I hope to hear good news from you (and Harvard!) within the next coming months! Definitely keep us updated!!

Thank you so much! Your kind words really encouraged me today.

I'll be on this thread frequently. I keep trying to 'forget' but let's be honest, that is not happening!

What is the timeline for you to hear something back? 

[HGSE]

On 12/23/2017 at 10:39 PM, alejandraabusada said:

Hello!

Anyone applying to HGSE HDP program?

Hi! I’m applying to HGSE EdLD. There is an HGSE 2018 thread over in Education. You may find some HDP-ers there.

[Let’s just TALK about it...]

 

On 12/21/2017 at 5:50 PM, LolJustAdmitMe said:

It’d be weird if I made this post and never shared my own feelings during this process, so I’ll share. For short, I have a lot of mixed feelings. This is my second round applying to PhD programs. I’ve watched my friends whom said they only wanted to get their PhD “for the title” get into PhD programs. I’ve had friends state that they wanted to get into the easiest program they could (one of them is flunking out rn) and get into programs. Despite the fact I felt my intentions were pure, motivated and shared the same educational background as them, I’ve failed to get into a program. In the past yr I’ve felt so embarrassed by it as countless people would ask “Why didn’t you get in??” and I have no good answer. But despite being left speechless by the question, it also hurts. Going into this round of applications felt more meaningful for me. I started to realize how EXPENSIVE it’s become. I’ve become more invested in the programs, POIs and the application process. This round would hurt even more than the last if I strike out, again. I’ve put so much effort and time in and I know I’m up against a million great applicants but *GOD* all I need is one shot. Just one interview and I have faith I could make into a Program. But I’m almost positive my GRE scores are the sole reason most schools would pass me up, despite all the great accomplishments I could bring to the table. So far this round, I have been rejected by one School and waitlisted by my top choice (which is a miracle in comparison to last yr’s turnout). I was heartbroken to not receive an invite but then I realized how lucky I was that they even considered to put me on their waiting list, which helped me stop crying and moping around about it.... So basically I’m super emotionally involved. I spend most of my work day worrying about it, hoping and praying I hear good news back but it really sucks when the odds are stacked disgustingly high against you. That’s all.

I can relate to you so much here. I think that your pure motivation says so much and will yield the results you are seeking. Thank you for starting this thread. I look forward to following your journey!

[Let’s just TALK about it...]

On 12/20/2017 at 2:11 PM, LolJustAdmitMe said:

People always urge others to find hobbies or things to keep them busy as they wait for their admissions results BUT what if we treated the process like therapy and talked about??? What if you were allowed to get those thoughts out? Maybe you’d be less inclined to think about it every 10 min (if you’re anything like me, my friends and family are TIRED of talking about it w/me). I say we give it a try and make a thread dedicated to talking about what schools we want to get into, why, why it *MEANS* so much, our worries, or really whatever comes to mind during the application process...shamelessly(I can think of a million times where I held back on a thread b/c I was scared my emotions were overkill lol).  Anybody???

I love this idea! I am fairly sure that my family is ready to put a muzzle on me.

I applied to one program and one program only.

Harvard's Ed.L.D. for System-Level leadership. They only accept 25 applicants so of course, it's a long shot. 

That's always how I've moved through life though, with long-shots.

It means so much to me because it would give me the opportunity to revolutionize the preK-12 education system in the US. The thing is, I plan to do this either way. The program would simply make the journey much easier. 

I applied to this program because it blends my passions and strengths. Education, Policy, Business and really Design. I've looked to see if there is anything similar, but there is not.

I'm also in the perfect spot right now in terms of my own life. I have a very supportive significant other who wants this as badly as I do. I feel that I've gone as far as I would like to go on my current trajectory with education. To be honest, the next step would be administration but I already have a masters and do not want to spend 2 years in school for a job that I am not passionate about. In my current situation, I have been able to have more influence as a classroom teacher on my school and in my district that I would have been able to as an administrator. The scene for administrators is very political and that's not a game that I am wanting to play. Nor do I think I can play it well.

I haven't thought too much about a back-up plan. I'll cross that bridge when and if I have to come to it. Right now, my soul focus has been on getting into the program. Long-shot and all.

[HGSE 2018]

 

3 hours ago, fmtj1996 said:

Online it says decisions will be available late March but on the thread for last year it looks like they came out in the first week of March. Anyone know if they changed when they release decisions? 

What program did you apply for? It seems like it has traditionally been early March for PhD and EdLD programs.

[HGSE 2018]

Did everyone get their apps in? How are you feeling?

I turned in my Ed.L.D. application an hour before the deadline. I am SO relieved that it is done. I definitely feel like I put my best foot forward. Don't really know what else I could've done so I am happy.

I was curious. Did anyone submit anything on the last page? The additional information? I attached a portfolio but I didn't know if people actually use that section.

Good luck, everyone!

[HGSE 2018]

Hola! I guess this is my first public declaration of intent to apply!

Thank you for starting the thread @Edugy! I am very hopeful that you get in this time around!

Program/Concentration: Ed.L.D.
GRE Score: Will be taking in October. Took the GMAT years ago. I think I will do average or possibly slightly better on the GRE.
GPA: 3.3 undergrad / 3.3 grad
Work Experience: Entrepreneur since the age of 16, 2 years in private sector, 1 year non-profit, 6 years teaching
Undergrad/Grad Institution (Public, Private, Ivy, etc..): Mid-sized Private University, Nationally Ranked Research School for BSED & MBA 
Research Experience: n/a for the program I am applying for. However, I have done 2 years of educational equity research, 4 years of school culture research.
LoR/SoP: 1 wild card (don't want to say here because I think it ~could be a unique approach but...lol, who knows), 1 from MBA program director who can speak to my special circumstances in both undergrad and grad school, 1 from either Superintendent of my district or Deputy Superintendent whom I have developed a program with. SoP...not done yet. Been carrying around a notebook and jotting down ideas for the past few weeks. Will speak to my passion for equity in education, my previous success in driving system-level change and how I would like to effect change moving forward.
What Other Schools Are You Applying To: None. This is the only school/program I am interested in at this point. It's the perfect intersection of my passions.

Hope that others chime in!