looking for a job...any MPA's out there?

[n2dzny]

I am graduating in Dec. with a Master of Public Administration with concentration in Business Administration. My work experience is in healthcare (scrub tech for labor and delivery). I am having no luck finding a job. I look in the paper, but I never find ads wanting MPA's....are there any MPA's out there? I need encouragement.

 

[Jockaroo]

Hi. I'm not an MPA, but I'm job hunting too, so I understand. Just want to wish you luck with your hunt.

I'm rarely finding anything in the newspaper. Seems so many jobs are posted on-line. Make sure you check all the internet potential hot-spots as well. Finding a job can be so frustrating. Before you graduate, make sure you get your college's career counseling department to review your resume.

Congratulations on getting your Masters--that takes hard work and you should be proud of yourself!

 

[lovmy2girls]

Wow, would you consider working at WDW with that degree. When we were riding the monorail, the driver told us there was something like 1800+ jobs available right now at WDW. I know that all of those are not your field.

If I could go back, I wish I would have went that direction. I see the CM's walking around with ear pieces in their ear, walkie talkie, Dress shirt, nice cloths, I think Wow, what kind of executive position could I have right now after 18 years there? Maybe that could have been me.

 

[n2dzny]

thanks for the replies...I would LOVE to work at WDW!!!!

I have asked my teacher for help with looking for a job. He knows a lot of people in the field and he can put me in touch with the 'right' people. The only problem with that is I have been asking him for a month. He keeps telling me that he can help, but so far: nothing. I know that he is busy and I am not at the top of his priority list, but I hope that if I ask him enough he will help.


I will finish my degree in Dec. One class to go and I hope to have a job before then....who knows

 

[LukenDC]

I have an MPA and I'm Director of Human Resources for a nonprofit social service agency. The MPA, like its counterpart the MBA, is terrific because it is a very versatile degree. Most people with an MPA start their careers in government or nonprofit sectors, but the degree is also applicable to the private sector. Instead of looking for jobs that specifically call for an MPA, you should look at jobs and industries that interest you and for which you have the competencies to be a successful applicant.

When you graduate in December, you will have a powerful credential.

 

[n2dzny]

I am concentrating in Business Administration. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but it is so discouraging to be almost 27 years old, living with Mom and making $8/hr. I have been in school ALL of my life and I feel that the payoff is not there. I am begining to wander if school will ever be 'worth it' for me...am I ever going to find a successful career?

 

[SoonerKate]

I am working on my MPA, concentrating mostly on HR, and also working in HR (doing mostly staffing/recruiting, EEOC and occasionally some JCAHO compliance when that department needs some extra help) for a healthcare company in Orlando. I love what I do, and got into HR in the first place because of the PA classes I took as an undergrad.

I agree with LukenDC -- figure out what you're interested in, not just what specifically calls for an MPA.

 

[HayGan]

Have you checked with your school's career services dept. (or whatever they are called at your school?) They would be the best place for a new grad to start looking since there are probably recruiters on campus looking for people. They also should be able to provide some additional guidance in your job search.

Sometimes it takes awhile to decide what you want to do with your life/career. I started out working in a real estate consulting firm for several years until I found a new position with a metals consulting firm that seems to be what I was meant to do for several years of my life. What I mean is that be open to trying out new opportunities. You never know where they might lead you!

Good luck in your job search!