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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it too late for him to apply to PMF, presidential management fellow? Google.

Sorry but he likely needs to intern. Some internships pay now, at least minimum wage.

I hope you are not paying for extras for him and that you are not doing his laundry etc.

Yes we are covering all his expenses, car, healthcare and sometimes even his laundry. Both his father and I have drive. What a spoiled lazy egghead it appears we’ve raised

I don’t know if you can jump to that conclusion when you say his dad “thinks he’s too good to go back to service industry!” Are you giving him mixed messages? Is the goal to find the right/best career step or just start making $$? I agree that you are way too involved and it’s fine to set a “we need you to contribute xx to household expenses by this date” and then stay out of how he does that.

He may need to find a paid internship or be underemployed and live at home a little longer, getting a masters without significant work experience does not pan out well for many people, they come out looking for the same entry level roles and internships that they would have sought prior to the masters.

[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.

Most internships are paid and we hire people out of internships all the time. OP, your take is ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

This is why he can't get a job! No one wants to hire someone with this profile!

+1 It probably comes across during interviews.

I think it's fine for a parent to give advice and general guidance, but ultimately, the adult child needs to take action.

Did he think that a masters from a some top school would easily get his foot in the door?

Yes, he did. Plus an undergrad degree with Latin honors. Both his dad and I pursued grad school in a very defined profession [medicine/engineering] so this vague liberal arts stuff is new to us and we trusted that our kid knew what he was doing, which clearly he did not

[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.

Most internships are paid and we hire people out of internships all the time. OP, your take is ridiculous!

Sorry, I'm a doctor, I don't know anything about these types of internships. I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to respond.

[Anonymous]

Is all of his work experience on his resume?

I am asking because I frequently hire people with 0-3 years of experience in an MPA-adjacent role. If I see a master’s degree with zero work experience (even if it’s unrelated), I usually pass on the resume.

Service industry work shows me, as a hiring manager, that your son can show up and do hard work. That counts for a lot. Especially in lower levels.

[Anonymous]

A career coach to see why the resume and interviews aren't going well for him.

[Anonymous]

"Yes we are covering all his expenses, car, healthcare and sometimes even his laundry. Both his father and I have drive. What a spoiled lazy egghead it appears we’ve raised"

WTF?? WHy are you doing that? Cover his health care, let him live there so he is not homeless. But do NOT cover his CAR (he can sell that! - why does an unemployed 24 year old even have a car??) and do NOT do his laundry.

I have no sympathy for women who do their grown sons' laundry.

[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.

Before doing this, OP's kid needs to make use of the career office at both the institution that gave him the Master's and also undergrad. That's what career services is there for.

[Anonymous]

Politemps would be a good temp agency to try.

Maybe look at trade associations and similar organizations? Many have a DC office.

The IRS is hiring a lot. So is the VA. Once the federal budget gets worked out, or even now, SSA might be an option.

Additionally, he should definitely look at state and local government jobs. They pay well and there's room for advancement.

[Anonymous]

Skip tracer

[Anonymous]

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

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

Did you click the link? I saw 2 jobs. Sheriff Office or the Police

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Yes we are covering all his expenses, car, healthcare and sometimes even his laundry. Both his father and I have drive. What a spoiled lazy egghead it appears we’ve raised"

WTF?? WHy are you doing that? Cover his health care, let him live there so he is not homeless. But do NOT cover his CAR (he can sell that! - why does an unemployed 24 year old even have a car??) and do NOT do his laundry.

I have no sympathy for women who do their grown sons' laundry.

FFS, don't have him sell his car, since he'll just have to get another one when he gets a job and cars are ridiculously expensive right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Politemps would be a good temp agency to try.

Maybe look at trade associations and similar organizations? Many have a DC office.

The IRS is hiring a lot. So is the VA. Once the federal budget gets worked out, or even now, SSA might be an option.

Additionally, he should definitely look at state and local government jobs. They pay well and there's room for advancement.

Trade associations are a good target for building experience. Look at Mantos Jobs and other DC/public affairs specific job listings.

He should be doing tons of informational interviews, starting with alumni of his school. These won’t lead to jobs, but will help him sound better in interviews and get leads and ideas of where to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it too late for him to apply to PMF, presidential management fellow? Google.

Sorry but he likely needs to intern. Some internships pay now, at least minimum wage.

I hope you are not paying for extras for him and that you are not doing his laundry etc.

Yes we are covering all his expenses, car, healthcare and sometimes even his laundry. Both his father and I have drive. What a spoiled lazy egghead it appears we’ve raised

I don’t know if you can jump to that conclusion when you say his dad “thinks he’s too good to go back to service industry!” Are you giving him mixed messages? Is the goal to find the right/best career step or just start making $$? I agree that you are way too involved and it’s fine to set a “we need you to contribute xx to household expenses by this date” and then stay out of how he does that.

He may need to find a paid internship or be underemployed and live at home a little longer, getting a masters without significant work experience does not pan out well for many people, they come out looking for the same entry level roles and internships that they would have sought prior to the masters.

Thank you. Yes PMF deadline was September, and he claims he didn't find out about it until October. It's hard and puzzling to me to have a child who is very bright, got amazing grades, but is unable to monetize his education. What's the point of getting high grades in college if you don't do something with them? Very confusing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Politemps would be a good temp agency to try.

Maybe look at trade associations and similar organizations? Many have a DC office.

The IRS is hiring a lot. So is the VA. Once the federal budget gets worked out, or even now, SSA might be an option.

Additionally, he should definitely look at state and local government jobs. They pay well and there's room for advancement.

Trade associations are a good target for building experience. Look at Mantos Jobs and other DC/public affairs specific job listings.

He should be doing tons of informational interviews, starting with alumni of his school. These won’t lead to jobs, but will help him sound better in interviews and get leads and ideas of where to apply.

Never heard of Politemps. Thanks to both of these posters - appreciate the detailed information.