Advice for Young Prospective Grad Student

[northxnorthwest]

So like many of those on this forum, I'm having a crisis as to when and if I should apply to graduate school. I would really appreciated some advice with this since I am currently abroad and have limited access to those in that might be able to help me.

A little bit about my background: I'm 23 years old with a BA in Environmental Policy (3.75 GPA, cum laude, Departmental Honors). I came to Jordan in Fall 2010 for an internship with a UN office in their science division. Once that ended I decided to stay in Amman to learn Arabic and get some serious international experience. Currently, I am half-way fluent in Arabic and working as Marketing Director for an offshore technology company. Though this may not be directly relevant to my undergraduate degree, I've come to realize that is nearly impossible to get a paid position abroad (especially in the development field) without a masters.

My question for all of you is, should I wait a few more years before applying for my Masters? I'm looking at schools like Georgetown, SIPA and WashU. It seems like such a catch-22 since all the jobs that would give me relevant international experience require a Masters and I can't get a Masters without said international experience. What's a girl to do?

Any advice from those already in some of these schools (or on a similar career track) would be very very much appreciated. Thank you thank you

[raspberry]

You wouldn't be starting a program until Fall 2012 at the earliest, giving you (nearly) two years of experience in Jordan, which is significant international experience. Having the UN on your CV is also very helpful, especially for a school like SIPA, that is so connected with the UN. I think you have a great chance of being accepted there (can't speak to the other universities really, but you seem competitive to me).. Are there any relevant organizations in your current city that you could volunteer with, in addition to your job, or is your schedule too full now? That would certainly help, though I would apply in any case if I were you - ultimately, if it doesn't work out, you can always apply again after waiting a year or two.. Good luck!

[juilletmercredi]

Just apply - you won't lose anything by applying (well, except the application fees, but it'll be worth it if you get in). My roommate got into SIPA with just one year of work experience. She was 23 when she started. She had been admitted to Columbia's MPH school first, and did a joint degree, but still.

Even if you applied this year and got in for next, you wouldn't be that much younger than the average SIPA student - I think it's 27 here and you'd be 24. Especially being semi-fluent in Arabic.

[northxnorthwest]

Thanks everyone for your help. And yes, I do participate in some volunteering on the weekends (youth employment, protesting government land acquisition etc). But besides that I have a pretty full plate.

My boss, who is an ex-NGO professional, believes that he can do more in the development field by starting a business overseas and employing locals than any other development related activity. With that in mind, a large portion of my job has to do with expanding internet opportunities to the Middle Eastern market (ie posting web tutorials in Arabic for aspiring developers to learn programming techniques) and using social media to brand our company image. That can be "spun" towards development-related activity right?

Again, thanks you guys that commented. It has definitely given me a push.