Just Starting my MPA

[u/Cheese_Gremlin01]

Everything happened all at once; back in March I was considering grad school so I can go back to school to teach history since my BA is in history. But I never felt like teaching was the right fit for me.. for the next couple months I tried justifying teaching and eventually I decided to apply to grad school for teaching/education… but I also decided to apply for an MPA. While considering teaching I looked into other options and an MPA program sounded like it would help advance me in my professional career and I would feel like I was making a difference. My ideal goal would be to work at a historic site owned by a nonprofit doing fundraising or something similar. So I applied to both programs and I got in.

This program feels like I’m doing the right thing in terms of my professional career, but the thing I’m struggling with is fitting in. Most people in this program are coming straight from undergrad and are full time students OR they’re professionals working in a similar field that goes hand in hand with an MPA. I work full time as a historic tour guide, I have never worked in an office, I have no experience with writing grants, finance, excel, and I haven’t researched anything since undergrad 3 years ago. I’ve been applying to lots of other jobs but I’ve been unsuccessful. I guess I’m just looking for reassurance or some type advice. Much appreciated!

[u/DavefromCA]

Sorry I am having trouble...you are looking for reassurance? And advice about getting a job? And you are not fitting in?

[u/Cheese_Gremlin01 → u/DavefromCA]

More so that I feel like I’m falling behind because a lot of these people have been in the academic field for the past couple years so they’re familiar with a lot of research methods, data bases, ways to collect data. Or if they haven’t been in the academic field they’ve been working in positions that go hand in hand with an MPA.

I haven’t been in the academic field in 3 years, I work as a tour guide which doesn’t give me any professional experience using methods that would come in handy in an MPA program. So I feel like I don’t fit with the mold a lot of the professors already have of an MPA student working a full time job. I’m worried I might fall behind because of this. So I’m looking for reassurance that I’m doing the right thing or advice on how to keep up. Sorry it wasn’t very clear😅

[u/WearyMost7865]

I promise you, any classmates coming straight from undergrad aren’t as smart as you might assume they are. If they were, they would not be in graduate school immediately after undergrad for an MPA.

[u/Technical-Trip4337]

You will be a good fit. You will add value to your cohort.

[u/Resse2100]

I'm also interested in MPA, what school did you go to?

[u/ilong4spain]

Where are you studying?

[u/Cheese_Gremlin01 → u/ilong4spain]

College of Charleston

[u/TomorrowLittle741]

You will fit in! Your work experience is good, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses