Non-traditional student, non-traditional letter writers?

[socioholic]

So, I'm slowly realizing it's possible I could be screwed because one of my letter writers is not returning any of my communications. My academic work in the field I'm trying to go to school for occurred 6+ years ago. The only other professor from that time who could write me a good letter is gone/retired.

 

I have a masters but it was more application, very little research. I also have a business mentor; he is not a professor but my research interests are business related.

 

Which would be a better recommendation- a former professor in an unrelated field or a professional in a related field?

Edited November 15, 2013 by socioholic

[Loric]

Well, it depends on what you need the letter of rec to say. If the business person is just going to say you're a diligent worker and yet you need the letter of rec to emphasize what little research work you have.. then you need the prof who can speak to the research stuff.

 

What does the rest of your application say about you? What gap needs to be filled in with the narrative?

[socioholic]

Good point. Neither one could speak on research experience; either could speak to research potential but I'd guess the professor's perspective on that would be much more valuable. The mentor could speak on my committment to the subject matter. The academic observation is probably needed more in my application.