GSPIA/GWU/AU

[marina.diom]

Hey guys,

Could you help me decide between these schools. I just found out that I received a very generous funding from GSPIA and no money from the D.C. schools. I know the importance of all the networking in DC and that GWU and AU are ranked higher than GSPIA. But, I liked GSPIA's program from the very beginning and to me, funding is a big deal. I was sweating about taking $60 K loan from DC schools. So my question is, do you think I'd be at a disadvantage by going to Pittsburgh? I know they have a semester in DC option, which I will definitely want to do. I was also thinking of doing summer internships in DC. I mean, how difficult do you think it would be to get a job by not going to those good schools in DC?

If any of you have info about starting salaries for GSPIA, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

[ep1181]

I don't know if you're interested in working in the nonprofit world, but I've been working for one in DC for the past 3 years and it's more about who you know and connections then where your degree came from. If you spend your time wisely in DC I don't see how you would be at a disadvantage, but that's just from a nonprofit standpoint, I don't know about government jobs.

Edited March 26, 2011 by ep1181

[marina.diom]

I don't know if you're interested in working in the nonprofit world, but I've been working for one in DC for the past 3 years and it's more about who you know and connections then where your degree came from. If you spend your time wisely in DC I don't see how you would be at a disadvantage, but that's just from a nonprofit standpoint, I don't know about government jobs.

Non-profit is definitely one of the options. I am actually more interested in the non-profit more than in the government job. I am also interested in working for the international organizations. So, I'd definitely need to intern in DC if I want to work there after my graduation, right?

[jph5125]

I believe Pitt still has the semester in DC option for GSPIA students. So you can fit a DC internship in there and get a chance to network there before graduating.

http://www.gspia.pitt.edu/StudentLife/WashingtonDCConnection/tabid/110/Default.aspx

-Edit: added linked

Edited March 27, 2011 by jph5125

[ep1181]

Non-profit is definitely one of the options. I am actually more interested in the non-profit more than in the government job. I am also interested in working for the international organizations. So, I'd definitely need to intern in DC if I want to work there after my graduation, right?

Yes, I think having some DC experience and a chance to make some connections is pretty important if that is where you want to end up.

[Jodjod]

I work with the federal government and I know plenty of people that went to school far away from DC (Tennessee, Ohio, California) and landed great gigs with me. Government jobs have less to do with networking and more to do with plugging away at those openings on USAjobs.gov