work with leftist organizations?

[lethomas]

I am applying to International Programs this fall and would like to discuss my work with labor unions such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and Farm Labor Organizing Committee, both of which have had historically leftist leanings, especially the IWW, which has even been associated with anarchism at various times. I'm concerned that discussing my work with these unions, which has informed some of my political interests and focii, will be an issue with admissions committees. Political Science programs can often be pretty traditional politically and I worry that an adcom would see my association with these organizations as a liability. Any thoughts?

Edited September 5, 2013 by lethomas

[rising_star]

Do you really want to be in a program that won't value the work you've done?

[Sigaba]

Will you be checking your activism at the door?

[TakeruK]

I have similar views to both rising_star and Sigaba.

 

During my MSc, I was involved with my school's TA union and even represented students/the union in several disputes with the department (always in a professionally and with mutual respect). I have strong beliefs in the benefits of forming unions in academia and I know that in the physical sciences, this is a fairly unpopular opinion. I decided to include my union work in the same category as other non-research activities such as outreach, tutoring etc. in my application. I took rising_star's viewpoint that I would probably not want to work in a place that would not admit me based on this fact. I didn't further expand on these points in my SoP, but I did in other essays where the prompt was regarding non-research activities (e.g. Personal History Statements). For you, since your field is more closely related with these organizations, it might even be more pertinent to include them in some instances.

 

I also relate to Sigaba's statement -- you would not be able to use University resources (e.g. dept. mailing lists) to promote personal causes (i.e. activism). But I don't think you will have to suppress all of your "activism" / beliefs in grad school. For example, there are usually many clubs on campus for many different causes and it would be fine to participate in that way. Also, if you decide to be involved in union-related activities on campus (if they exists), then the law should hopefully protect you from any negative action from the University.

[Sigaba]

An elaboration.

The POV of an activist may not matter to a department as much as the level of activity.

For example, a department could be fighting for a budget and that may require some metrics related to average time of completion. Such a concern could see professors who hold the same views saying "For the good of the department, let's focus on applicants who are focused on the work."

So if the OP feels that putting the activism on hold is the way to go, then maybe make this point clear in the SOP.

[lethomas]

Do you really want to be in a program that won't value the work you've done?

Your point is a good one. I do not want to be part of a program that would be biased against me because of political associations. Mostly I worry that in a program geared towards working in the government my political leanings will be an issue in say, applying to work for the Foreign Service. But you are absolutely right-- my work and passions take precedence over hypothetical concerns about opinions re: my political activism.

[lethomas]

Will you be checking your activism at the door?

Good question. I'd like to continue my work with these organizations and even discussed it in broad terms with admissions folks at my first choice school and they seemed to think it was an asset. Thank you-- your question helped me realize that working with the IWW and FLOC are an important part of who I am as a student applicant; that's very helpful.