Maxwell or SPEA-IUB or Sciences Po

[cresxxl]

I have to choose one between the listed names in the title and I'd really need to hear your opinions and suggestions!

The programs are:

MPA/IR dual degree--Maxwell, Syracuse

MPA- IUB

International Public Management-Sciences Po (Still waiting for the decision of the dual degree of Int'l Relations offered by ScPo and LSE)

My background:

Int'l Student. Senior in my undergrad study. So I do not have any full-time job experience, as these are all professional programs and I don't know would this be a big disadvantage if I choose to go for the MA directly. I want to work in the field of int'l development, or consulting on int'l relations( especially with a major interest in the Mid-East as I studied Arabic & Mid-East studies in my undergrad) after I graduate. I wish I'd work for those big international organizations now but seems that all of the positions require a relevant MA degree...

-so I'd like to know that which of those schools would best help me getting the kind of job that I want to do?

-Sadly I also heard that these years it'd be very difficult for int'l students to get ideal jobs like that, is it true?

-Do you think some working experience in an irrelevant field helpful or is it just a waste of time? I got a pretty good job offer which is about doing PR for a top FMCG company as a Management Trainee, but this would have nothing to do as my original career plan lies in the field of IR and development. I'm thinking that If this experience would be helpful I may defer my MA studies for 1 year or even re-apply to some better schools in the future. (Sadly USNews& the world report was the major source I relied on and recently I found that my research before I chose the schools to apply was insufficient, sigh)

Thank you very much in advance and I'd really love to hear from any of you for advice!!!

And wish all of you get admitted to your dream school!

[yo_yo86]

Congrats on the admits. Not sure of the details of your background, my initial thoughts are as follows:

1) If you want to work in the US, I would favor Maxwell over the others

2) If you want to work in Europe, then ScPo (especially if you get admitted to LSE too)

3) I am of the camp that it is better to have work experience before attending graduate school, preferably at least two years in something at least partially relevant; however, if that is not possible, then go to grad school. Now, whether your PR position is relevant enough, I leave that up to you to decide. Most non-profits need somebody with PR experience to help promote the place and help raise money, but is that the route you want to take to get into the field (i.e., do you want to be hired to do PR work for a non-profit or would you rather do research)? If you would rather do research, then I don't see how the PR gig helps much, other than giving you good work experience of the general nature (which is important). Perhaps, you could volunteer somewhere cool while working to help offset your non-traditional development job, if you decide to go the PR route. Or, you could volunteer nearly full-time while looking for a job (passing up on the PR offer), and then wait for something relevant to come along. I know it's really hard to find anything right now. It was when I looked in 2009 too (when I graduated), so I think it's understandable to forego working with the options you have. The only problem I can see is that once you graduate, you'll be competing against people that have work experience along with a graduate degree. Hopefully, relevant internships during grad school can help you overcome your lack of work experience.

Lastly, I must add, my thoughts on schools assume that the overall cost of attendance would be about equal. If money is an issue, then you have to decide whether X amount of extra debt for a degree from Y is worth the cost.

[cresxxl]

Thank you for your advice Yo_yo 86.

Yea I have to wait for another few weeks to know about the results of scholarships and then figure out which program would be the best choice.

And about the PR job, I think it will still take me some time to decide whether to work first,( but not only for one year )and reapply for the programs after some years or to put it off my plan and directly go to grad school. Syracuse and ScPo both does offer IR students a global internship opportunity, and it seems to be helpful for someone like me.

However actually I have no idea whether the US schools or European ones are better for me if I wanna start my career with UN agencies in the mid east in the future... any idea?

THX!

[Hanson's Fan]

Int'l Student. Senior in my undergrad study.- my question is: Are you a US citizen? or PR? or dual citizens? Certain jobs in the US require you to have a citizenship or at least a PR status.

So I do not have any full-time job experience, as these are all professional programs and I don't know would this be a big disadvantage if I choose to go for the MA directly.

I think you're wise to choose dual programs b/c they save time and money and the knowledge and skills obtained in school(s) can support one another when you're studying in the two programs.

I want to work in the field of int'l development, or consulting on int'l relations( especially with a major interest in the Mid-East as I studied Arabic & Mid-East studies in my undergrad) after I graduate. I wish I'd work for those big international organizations now but seems that all of the positions require a relevant MA degree...

I am unsure what MA you refer to. MA (IR)? MA (IPS)? or MA in Arabic or Middle East Studies. However, I would need you to be more specific as ID is a broad field. You can work for a donor, an INGO, an NGO or even for an IGO that deals with outreach. I think it comes to which country, which type of agency, which division if you can be specific.

However, some ME countries were once ruled by Britain and their educational systems may follow British curriculum. And Arab populations are also in commonwealth countries and some other empire countries ie France. But if you'd like to work for Dept of States, I'd think Maxwell.

For consulting jobs, it's easier. Go with the big name. B/c these firms have their global offices and you need global names. LSE.

-so I'd like to know that which of those schools would best help me getting the kind of job that I want to do?

I hope I answered you above.

-Sadly I also heard that these years it'd be very difficult for int'l students to get ideal jobs like that, is it true?

Are you from those donor countries that have JPO programs and such?

-Do you think some working experience in an irrelevant field helpful or is it just a waste of time? I got a pretty good job offer which is about doing PR for a top FMCG company as a Management Trainee, but this would have nothing to do as my original career plan lies in the field of IR and development. I'm thinking that If this experience would be helpful I may defer my MA studies for 1 year or even re-apply to some better schools in the future. (Sadly USNews& the world report was the major source I relied on and recently I found that my research before I chose the schools to apply was insufficient, sigh)

I think work experience counts when you have to discuss a real work experience in class w/ your classmates. And the competitive edge that yo_yo86 mentioned, 2 candidates which one to be selected. No experience or 1-year exp?

I think if funding doesn't change next year, work for a year doesn't hurt. Unless you plan to do a Ph.d. afterwards then maybe go ahead do both dual degrees and apply phd elsewhere.. You can always apply work from one area to another. Although it's not 100% related but you get a sense of work, frameworks, people, how a system is managed. And perhaps one year later you discover what you'd really like to be or study.

Sometimes asking what you gain and lose then turns them to a chart and do scoring can help to..b/c only you know the best how to weight things for yourself. Best of lucks.