Mention $$ in SoP?

[careerchange]

After finishing undergrad, I took a job in an unrelated field before applying to grad school this fall. A huge reason for this was to make some $ so I could afford to go to grad school without taking out loans. Is it okay to briefly mention this in the SOP when I am discussing the job? The position has very little to do with any of my interests so it's difficult to spin it any other way.

Edited November 12, 2010 by careerchange

[JoeySsance]

Try framing it this way: I took some time off after undergrad to work which helped me put my interests into perspective and to set aside some earnings to finance my graduate education. You don't have to say it exactly like that, but this way, you highlight your work ethic and you spin it to emphasize the development of your interests [or rather, how you put them into perspective by taking time off and immersing yourself in another (possibly challenging? rewarding?) environment..).

It's all about being rhetorically clever without being dishonest! I hope that helps!

[JoeySsance]

Try framing it this way: I took some time off after undergrad to work which helped me put my interests into perspective and to set aside some earnings to finance my graduate education. You don't have to say it exactly like that, but this way, you highlight your work ethic and you spin it to emphasize the development of your interests [or rather, how you put them into perspective by taking time off and immersing yourself in another (possibly challenging? rewarding?) environment..).

It's all about being rhetorically clever without being dishonest! I hope that helps!

[TMP]

If you didn't spend, say more than 5 years off, there's no reason to talk about your job. If you did spend quite some time out, just briefly BRIEFLY state that you realized from your work experience that you are more interested in Subject X than what you're working on at work. Don't talk about money.

[db2290]

I agree with Joeyssance - I think, ideally, you would have a reason to have taken time out from studying, and if you could weave this in casually to your statement it would be good.

[rising_star]

Don't even mention it. It shouldn't be listed on your CV or mentioned in the SOP. The only exception to this would be if you gained skills in that job that are transferable to grad school and/or relate to what you intend to study in grad school.