Grad school with little relevant work exp

[ValFL]

Hi everyone!

I graduated from UCF Dec 2017 with a bachelors in legal studies and minor in criminal justice. I had hopes of becoming a lawyer but after working at a law firm and interning for a judge, I realized it just wasn't for me. I then decided to switch directions and started working towards getting a doctorate in physical therapy (I was originally a biomed major when I started college and wanted to go to med school but was also super interested in law). After much thought and having tried my hand at having hands on medical experience working as a tech in a trauma unit at a hospital, I realized the medical field wasn't really for me and I still longed for a path similar to my undergrad degree.

I did some research and became really interested in a master in public administration (MPA). I want to further my education with UCF since I had a great undergrad experience and the MPA is offered online which is great because I really don't want to move back to Orlando. UCF also offers a dual MPA and master in criminal justice. I want to apply to that program but I'm worried because I don't have much relevant work experience. Since 2018 I've worked for a medically-integrated fitness facility (fancy way of saying gym that is owned/operated by a hospital) because I tried to get into the medical field it was a great foot in the door. Now that I want to get an MPA/MSCJ I'm worried I won't be seen as a great candidate since I am lacking recent relevant work experience.

I had a 4.0 in my major and worked at a law firm throughout my last year in school. After graduating I interned for a criminal court judge for a few months before moving back to my hometown and I helped the judge conduct research on a capital punishment case. I now work at a gym that is owned by a well-known not-for-profit hospital. I started as a front desk employee before moving up to exercise specialist/personal trainer. I do volunteer (at least I did before COVID) for various organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Children First, and others. I really don't want to leave the job I'm at because it pays GREAT and has amazing benefits but I do worry that admissions committee won't see it as a positive.

Basically, I'm worried about my lack of recent relevant work experience affecting my chance at being accepted. Anyone have any insight into getting admitted without too much (relevant) work experience?

 

TL;DR Graduated in 2017 with plans of being a lawyer, changed my mind and worked towards becoming a physical therapist. Started working at a gym that's owned by a hospital so it's not a typical gym get my foot into healthcare, changed my mind again and want to get my MPA/MSCJ but worry that my lack of relevant lack experience will hurt my application.

[GradSchoolGrad]

13 hours ago, ValFL said:

Hi everyone!

I graduated from UCF Dec 2017 with a bachelors in legal studies and minor in criminal justice. I had hopes of becoming a lawyer but after working at a law firm and interning for a judge, I realized it just wasn't for me. I then decided to switch directions and started working towards getting a doctorate in physical therapy (I was originally a biomed major when I started college and wanted to go to med school but was also super interested in law). After much thought and having tried my hand at having hands on medical experience working as a tech in a trauma unit at a hospital, I realized the medical field wasn't really for me and I still longed for a path similar to my undergrad degree.

I did some research and became really interested in a master in public administration (MPA). I want to further my education with UCF since I had a great undergrad experience and the MPA is offered online which is great because I really don't want to move back to Orlando. UCF also offers a dual MPA and master in criminal justice. I want to apply to that program but I'm worried because I don't have much relevant work experience. Since 2018 I've worked for a medically-integrated fitness facility (fancy way of saying gym that is owned/operated by a hospital) because I tried to get into the medical field it was a great foot in the door. Now that I want to get an MPA/MSCJ I'm worried I won't be seen as a great candidate since I am lacking recent relevant work experience.

I had a 4.0 in my major and worked at a law firm throughout my last year in school. After graduating I interned for a criminal court judge for a few months before moving back to my hometown and I helped the judge conduct research on a capital punishment case. I now work at a gym that is owned by a well-known not-for-profit hospital. I started as a front desk employee before moving up to exercise specialist/personal trainer. I do volunteer (at least I did before COVID) for various organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Children First, and others. I really don't want to leave the job I'm at because it pays GREAT and has amazing benefits but I do worry that admissions committee won't see it as a positive.

Basically, I'm worried about my lack of recent relevant work experience affecting my chance at being accepted. Anyone have any insight into getting admitted without too much (relevant) work experience?

 

TL;DR Graduated in 2017 with plans of being a lawyer, changed my mind and worked towards becoming a physical therapist. Started working at a gym that's owned by a hospital so it's not a typical gym get my foot into healthcare, changed my mind again and want to get my MPA/MSCJ but worry that my lack of relevant lack experience will hurt my application.

I think you are worrying way too much about job experience. It sounds like you will have at least 4 years of work experience before Fall 2021. That means depending on school, you will be approx average of work experience. You will however come from an asymmetrical career background, which is fine, and in fact may work towards you advantage by virtue of being unique.

I also strongly encourage to you avoid applying to online programs because honestly they are just money makers for schools and you don't necessarily get the best experience from them. I do recommend you consider flex / part time programs that are out there (I can name a few good ones). That way you at least have an opportunity to have an enhanced student experience (even if it is traveling to campus every now and then to meet your professors + classmates.

Before you apply for programs, I recommend you figure out exactly what you want to get out of your degree. The number of degrees doesn't really matter at the end of the day (trust me I have 4, 6 if you count my Associate level degrees) to getter job while degree experience relevancy to a target job (or set of jobs) really matters. I will tell you point blank, that Master in Criminal Justice has a rather narrow aperture of direct outcomes (you guessed it related to law enforcement), so unless you are dedicated towards that field, it might not the be the most valuable use of your time and money. Based upon what you think you want to get a job in (private sector, public, non-profit) and leaning towards what policy area (domestic, international, etc.), then you should figure out what schools you apply to.

It sounds like you are at a good starting point with GPA. However, GREs will matter too. Also if you don't have quant (Econ and Stats as a baseline), your viable options diminishes. 

Hope this general outlook helps. 

Edited July 20, 2020 by GradSchoolGrad