Schaudenfreuded

Depends. What are you looking for? I can see from your signature you have an MSW. Are you looking for SW internships or are there other skills that you'd like to expand on? What are some ideal organizations?

Hi all, Been gone a long time from gradcafe. Feels weird being back. Let's get to it! So I did my M.A. at the University of Chicago. I have 4 years of work experience in journalism/Communications (web content management, press relations, all that good stuff), plus a BA and BSc in English Lit. and Journalism respectively. I'm currently finishing up my thesis and getting ready to graduate in December. But, so far......It's been two months since I left school and I haven't landed a job. While I was still in school, I got three job interviews and I thought it was a sign of things to come. However, now there's a whole lot of nothing. The only two leads I have now are 1) volunteer PR work at a Language Institute (which I am doing for the optimal reaping of contacts) 2) possible consulting work with a non-profit. I only got my foot in the door applying to positions they deemed me too "overqualified" for. However, one can't subsist off of free language lessons, hopes and dreams. I'm applying to anything, administrative assistant, clerk, translator, but I really don't know what I'm doing wrong. Each resume and cover letter (previously looked over by career counselors in Chicago) is tailored to what I apply to. I emphasize long-term interest and commitment and whatever else is needed. While I don't have contacts in this state, my references are solid. I would prefer not to leave my partner for a job but it seems like I might need to. It's depressing. I thought I was over this weirdness a long time ago. Since I'm not graduating til December, the situation isn't critical, but I do like getting a leg up on things and my savings are slowly but surely disappearing. My question is: How long did it take you other M.As out there to find paid work and how did you go about getting it? And no, just because I went to UofC doesn't mean I can afford un-paid internships in NYC, DC or San Fran. I received a scholarship from Americorps and from the school.

Got into UChicago for my MA. The SO will be coming with and applying to his PhD's from there while working part time in web development (most likely). He's hoping to get into UCBerkeley, Clark, Durham among others. I have no problems being a nomad and am not looking into doing a PhD after my studies, or at least, not for a while. The only issue I ever had was GETTING 'ER DONE (my MA). But who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind. I will most likely take a 6 month shot at freelancing and writing my book after graduating from the program. With any luck, he'll do good and secure some sort of stable teaching position somewhere that isn't located in the middle of aa fly-over corn field. Honestly, considering the nail-biting WTF-ness I was going through with my SO in the beginning, I'm psyched that 2 1/2 years after we met, we're still strong and sticking together while we both explore our academic and professional interests. Here's to hoping he moves to the Siberean tundra, Mexico City, Ethiopia or Romania with me next (pay back for schlepping with him during his PhD)

1. GO TO UC RIVERSIDE 2. GET PAID BY SCHOOL 3. SAVE MONEY 4. MOVE TO NY. LIVE THE STARVING WRITER FANTASY. 5. ???? 6. PROFIT. That's what I'm doing...more or less... /Going to U Chicago for something else ///plan to move to Mexico and pull a Bola~no after...

I'm going to U Chicago MA in Latin American Studies. The program definetely addresses my research interests and is paying 1/3 of my tuition. Not bad when I factor in 20K of Americorps Ed. Awards and savings. While I don't necessarily want a PhD, that might change. It might not. I would like to do some freelancing work after wards or the usual NGO/non-profit work. But I wonder...would the other schools place me better post-MA? IDK that I'd like to incur massive debt (which I would even with savings at other programs). Would job positioning be better? But...yeah...any one ever left with a WHAT IF post Decision or post MA?

Also got into NYU so...

Hey any thoughts on the University of Chicago Latin American Studies program? I'm interested in medical anthropology and sexuality and their course offerings and advisors seems to have great experience in that...but any thoughts?

We should talk offline. I have a friend up there scouting apartments all over the place. 4 to a place is better than 3 (I'm moving in with a partner). Msg me if you'd like.

I've been housesitting a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom house for the past year 1/2 so the thought of paying high rent for an egg carton makes me twitch. I'm somewhat familiar with the city. But the cost of rent is still staggering. I've been looking all over, including Brighton Beach (yes I know it's far from Manhattan but who cares, I'm from Miami and commute a total of 4 hours daily...), Flatbush, etc. Thoughts? What's the journalism school like?

Thanks boderlands! I am leaning towards NYU precisely for the you reasons stated. UChicago is 63k for 9 months....NYU is 65k for 2 years. In a 2 year time span, I might be able to find funding. I'm contacting students but it's never the same going. Such is work

please...anyone? Advise on this? I've never had to deal with loans so I really have no REAL idea of what I could be getting into other than my horrible fear of debt and credit cards.

Hi guys! So after much blood, sweat and tears, I got in to my top two programs. I never thought it would happen for a number of reasons. I'm super grateful to whatever magical juju exists that got me this far. Unfortunately, I work at a grassroots org. and will not have the time to unchain myself from my desk until May to go on campus tours. This puts me in a bind since I'll be making my decision a little in the blind. SO my question is: NYU: Joint Masters in Journalism and Latin American Studies No Funding But with pretty sick internship hookups, especially for Journo's (yes, dying field, blah blah blah. So far I've done ok in journalism/communications work) Awesome Faculty It's New York! U Chicago: Latin American Studies $14,570 in funding-BIG PLUS! Very oriented to my research interests Unclear about post-MA career outcomes Uncertain about faculty. Program was founded by John Coatsworth who teaches at Columbia now, and they cross list with NYU. Never been to Chicago but I hear it's pretty cool. Note: I'm also waiting for an LSE decision on funding (Msc in Comparative Politics-Latin America). Which one to choose? Who has the better career services (e.g. invests more time in you to get ahead)? Does anyone have experience with either Latin American Studies programs or NYU journalism institute?

Whoa whoa, I'm not looking for a Ph.D just yet

Also forgot to mention: fluent in Spanish, English Intermediate/Advanced:Italian Extensive multi-media reporting experience

So here are my stats: Florida International University graduate: BA in Journalism BA in English Lit Cum GPA 3.359, Semester: GPA 3.7 GRE: #1- 610 V 610 Q 4.5 AW #2 590 V 560 Q 5 AW Resume: *sigh* Internship at MTV Latin America Internship at The Stuart News Published in Editor and Publisher Magazine Youth Reporting at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City Independent Student Project on AIDS: Series of Webisodes for our WPTV and The Miami Herald titled The Stigma Stops With Me: The Story of Damaries Cruz (worked as consultant, interviewer, etc.) Part of the Media and Communications youth team for the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria Americorps Public Allies program: 2 years: #1 Arts for Learning: Grant Writer #2 Florida Immigrant Coalition: Communications. I have received excellet letters of recommendation, including one from the Dean of the journalism dept. And my writing sample is reviewed as great. At this point, I feel I'm the resident hysteric. My second GRE sucked but the AW improved. I don't know if I should retake, and frankly, I lack the will and time to do so. Ideally, I wanted a 1280+ because of my low GPA. And while I have a very good, medically-backed reason for it, I'm loathe to identify myself as, well, an epileptic. I'm applying at: 1. NYU- Latin American studies/Journalism dual degree Deadline: Dec. 18th (This is THE big one. Their students can intern at AP and Reuters in the DF) TOO LATE TO RETAKE 2. London School of Economics 1. Comparative Politics:Latin America 2. Global Politics Deadline: Unspecified. Begins October 2010. 3. University of Chicago Regional Studies-Latin America Deadline: January 4, 2011 TOO LATE TO RETAKE 4. American University International Studies: Human Rights in Latin America Deadline: January 15, 2011 5. George Washington University International Affairs: Latin America Deadline: February 1, 2011 6. Columbia University Institute for Latin American Studies Deadline: April 1, 2010 7. Kings College Questions? Comments? Cheeses?

AAARGH! SOMEHOW, I ended up scoring less than the first time I took it. First time: 610Q 619V 4.5 AW Second time: 590 V 560 Q. No idea what I got on the written part. At this point I've discussed it with other friends who have gone through the grad school app mill and I have a few options 1. Provided I get a 5.5 or a 6 on the written part (doubtful, since I thought that I was doing great but I did terrible) I call schools and ask if they'll take my old score (1220) with the new written score. 2. Take the test again. Hope for the best. ( I am retaking the test either way ) 3. Fark off for a year after my contract at work is up Please advise! I don't want to see this test ever again. SIGH, $300 down the drain.

AAARGH! SOMEHOW, I ended up scoring less than the first time I took it. 590 V 560 Q. No idea what I got on the written part. At this point I've discussed it with other friends who have gone through the grad school app mill and I have a few options 1. Provided I get a 5.5 or a 6 on the written part (doubtful, since I thought that I was doing great but I did terrible) I call certain schools and ask if they'll take my old score (1220) with the new written score 2. Take the test again. Hope for the best. ( I am retaking the test either way ) 3. Fark off for a year after my contract at work is up Please advise! I don't want to see this test ever again. SIGH, $300 down the drain.

And Schaudenfreuded (someone out there laughs at my misery) as I am, cumulatively my GPA is 3.394...all because of a bout of seizures my second semester of college and the ensuing hilarity. Per major, journo: 3.3 english lit: 3.7. I'm resigned to loans and savings (by that point I'll have roughly $18000 on hand)

Well, it runs the gamut really: NYU- Lat. Am Studies and Journalism Columbia- Lat Am. Studies UChicago- International Affairs: Regional Studies: Lat Am American- IA: Lat Am GW-IA: Lat Am Kings College- Global Politics London School of Economics- Global Politics: Lat Am. Trying to make up for a less than stellar GPA caused by an unfortunate accident my second semester at college. But the resume is pretty sexy, so I'm hopeful, with a 1280-1340 AW 5...someone?

Scores thus far: Test 1: 650 V/ 560 Q : 1210 Test 2:720 V/ 560 Q : 1280 Test 3: 630 V/ 640 Q : 1270 Test 4: 760 V/ 560 Q : 1320 Test 5: 720 V/ 620 Q : 1340 Test 6: 630 V/ 500 Q : 1130 (???? ????) If anyone has had similar scores and done good on test day let me know. I used PowerPrep software and Barron's CD mostly (And 800 score once, but I'm almost positive their algorithm tabulates scores incorrectly. Also their math and verbal are insanely hard). I'm applying for Journalism/International Affairs dual degree programs (mostly) so their a little more lax on the math scores, not so much written and verbal, although I would like to do good on the math. Any tips to counteract nerves on test day? They destroyed me last time ( 610 v 610 m 4.5 AW), and I really don't want it to affect me this time (also the room was friggin FREEZING).