My kid has a master's in public administration but is unemployed

[Anonymous]

It's been almost 4 months, 220 job applications, a dozen interviews, no offers. I'm starting to panic. What's a good interim job for him so he doesn't become depressed and can start earning some experience and money???

[Anonymous]

Fundraise for a politician

[Anonymous]

Hmm. Many of these careers start out as internships or fellows in local government. I assume he has pursued that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fundraise for a politician

Terrible idea. Plus this has nothing to do with public administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm. Many of these careers start out as internships or fellows in local government. I assume he has pursued that?

He can't afford an internship, and he's 24, not a kid.

[Anonymous]

Call a temp agency. Lots of reputable ones that source to great companies. We hire a lot of our college grads by trying them out first as temps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call a temp agency. Lots of reputable ones that source to great companies. We hire a lot of our college grads by trying them out first as temps.

Thank you, any in particular you recommend?

[Anonymous]

What does he want to do? What about a program like this?

https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Careers/5-Internships

[Anonymous]

I parlayed an internship during my MPA program—that I interviewed and got through my school—into a full time federal job. What actual experience does he have? Where did he get the degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does he want to do? What about a program like this?

https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Careers/5-Internships

I meant to add it’s full time with salary and benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does he want to do? What about a program like this?

https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Careers/5-Internships

Programs like this are the way to go. Or if he’s interested in nonprofit management this is a great fellowship:
https://www.elpomar.org/fellowship/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm. Many of these careers start out as internships or fellows in local government. I assume he has pursued that?

He can't afford an internship, and he's 24, not a kid.

So he can afford not working and sitting around on his butt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I parlayed an internship during my MPA program—that I interviewed and got through my school—into a full time federal job. What actual experience does he have? Where did he get the degree?

No super relevant experience, a year of analytic work between college and grad school. MPPA from Northwestern.

[Anonymous]

If he doesn’t have super relevant experience and little or no internships while in school, his first job out of school may be a little bit lower on the pay scale and will start to give him the experience he needs. 220 applications with nothing to show for it means something is not tracking. Some kids who are good at stats and coding can get entry level analyst jobs. But they have to be willing to put the time and hours into it. May not seem glamourous, or what they did a Masters for, but it’s the way to start building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm. Many of these careers start out as internships or fellows in local government. I assume he has pursued that?

He can't afford an internship, and he's 24, not a kid.

I am trying to help you. Another pp said the same thing about internships/fellowships. That is how many start out, at 24 or even older.