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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

He should do more analytics/consulting. They like the young ones with masters.

[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, old enough to figure this out on his own?

[Anonymous]

Why are you panicking? He should be.
What he needs now is a job, any job.
Food service, bar man, ups delivery, Starbucks, car dealership

Once he has that, then he can continue his job search

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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???
[/quote,,]

substitute school teacher.

[Anonymous]

Temp agency

[Anonymous]

Mom/dad, please let your grown child figure this out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Unless he can come in as an intern, he's not getting a job in the federal government with no actual skills. Any generalist position is going to a veteran.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was going to say the same. I have hired many masters/post masters interns in my field (public health) and can assure you that many of them are 24 or even slightly older.

[Anonymous]

The answer is to temp or look for a paralegal role while continuing to apply for the jobs he really wants.

You and your kid need to let go of the idea of a perfect first job "in his field" and aim for anything that will get him some office experience (assuming that's the kind of job he wants). And then he will find things he likes/dislikes about that job and can aim a bit more directly for a next position.

[Anonymous]

I have a masters in public administration and often hire recent grads from my school when they reach out. Has the school been helpful with a list of alums?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Beacon Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was going to say the same. I have hired many masters/post masters interns in my field (public health) and can assure you that many of them are 24 or even slightly older.

My DS got a non-profit job after almost two years of Masters. He was 28. Had to work for almost nothing for another couple of years and then got a $60K job. Now he is at around $150K job after 6 years. He stayed home with us and we paid for everything for several years. I am glad that he is settled now. Married and HHI of $240K, homeowner and parent.

[Anonymous]

My kid finished their masters in a STEM field. Employed now. Lives at home. Will move out in a couple of years.

[Anonymous]

Northwestern is a great school for networking with alumni.

I'm saying this kindly, but how does he have a masters with no relevant work experience or internships? What did he do during the summers throughout his 6 years of undergrad and grad school? Did he forge relationships with any professors or alumni that he can reach out to for mentorship or a research assistantship maybe to get something on his resume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Unless he can come in as an intern, he's not getting a job in the federal government with no actual skills. Any generalist position is going to a veteran.

There's the pathways program.