Choosing a program & LOR question

[meganljohnson06]

I want to work in a university, specifically in education abroad and veterans services.  Which programs should I be looking into?  Higher education, student affairs, international education, or something else?  Does it really matter which one I do?

As for letters of recommendations, I can get ones from former professors, but I have a question about using a previous supervisor.  My husband is in the military, we lived in Germany for three years and, while there, I held several volunteer positions.  These positions were not at all related to education, but they are definitely related to helping our military and living abroad.  Since those are the two areas I'm most interested in for a future career and I plan on writing about it in my Statement of Purpose, would asking my supervisor (a U.S. Army colonel) for a recommendation be a good or bad idea?  He thinks very highly of me, recommended me for and gave me several volunteer awards, and already offered to write a fantastic recommendation if I need it...but again, he knows nothing of my academic abilities or the education field.  Thoughts?

Edited August 8, 2016 by meganljohnson06

[travelgirl125]

I'll be starting a Higher Education program this fall, and what I found during my research is that "Higher Education" programs tend to be more administrative, "Student Affairs" programs deal more with students, "Counseling" can be related to mental health counseling or things like academic/career counseling, and "International Education" can focus a lot on education in developing countries.

That being said, I think it's the most important to look at each program's curriculum to see what types of classes they offer.  Some programs offer concentrations where you can focus on a particular area.  I personally chose a program that is pretty broad, as I had no work experience in higher education and wanted the ability to learn about all different areas. (BTW, I'm most interested in international education, too).

Also, I think that asking your supervisor is a GREAT idea!  I think it's good to vary up your recommenders, so that you don't have all of them be from the same field/profession.

Hope that helps & good luck!

[ZeChocMoose]

On 8/8/2016 at 4:59 PM, meganljohnson06 said:

As for letters of recommendations, I can get ones from former professors, but I have a question about using a previous supervisor.  My husband is in the military, we lived in Germany for three years and, while there, I held several volunteer positions.  These positions were not at all related to education, but they are definitely related to helping our military and living abroad.  Since those are the two areas I'm most interested in for a future career and I plan on writing about it in my Statement of Purpose, would asking my supervisor (a U.S. Army colonel) for a recommendation be a good or bad idea?  He thinks very highly of me, recommended me for and gave me several volunteer awards, and already offered to write a fantastic recommendation if I need it...but again, he knows nothing of my academic abilities or the education field.  Thoughts?

I am sorta torn on this one. Usually higher ed/student affairs programs look for 2 academic references and 1 professional reference. The fact that you were a volunteer and the position wasn't related to education leans me toward no.  I am not sure what he would add that you wouldn't already get from reading your personal statement and resume.  I would only ask him if you didn't have a better professional reference.

As for program - I am not sure it really matters which one you complete.  You do want a program that will provide you opportunities to work in a relevant unit on campus while you go to school as work experience is super important in securing jobs post graduation.