Masters in Education vs Masters in Public Administration (bachelor's, doctorate, masters degree)
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I have recently decided to go back to school to improve my career options as well as to receive better pay. I am really into politics and the economy. I took two Public Administration classes, one in human resource mgmt and another in fiscal administration and I really liked them. The only problem is that the people that are getting jobs with this masters degree are not really making much more than what I am making right now, however I would be able to get out of teaching, which I don't mind doing, but my end goal was to end up in some sort of administrative type role in no matter what career that I chose. Another girl that I know ended up in a planning technician role, I did some research and it seems like they don't make a lot of money either, I saw salaries as high as $24/hr, but that's it.
With the masters in education, I know that I could get a job as an assistant principal which would pay more, but my friend says he can get a job in the admin office, but I don't see how since I don't know the qualifications of some of the people there, but it would be nice to work at the district office. The advantages of this program is that I could do it online and the classes would be cheaper, but in the long run, both programs will end up being the same. So now I am wondering, should I do the MPA which I find more interesting or the Masters in Education?
Since you are a teacher, I think you already know what the M. Ed. will do for you.
I went to a graduate school for Public Affairs, though my Masters was not in that.
The end game for you after you get your MPA/MPP is probably either interning at a Political Office or working for a non-profit, making not too much $.
After that, your rise will be predicated on how well you can talk the talk and walk the walk. Non-profits have a LOT of politics. They are brutal, competitive, and female dominated. I have a friend who is going for a doctorate in this field to try and get a leg up.
I know much less about political arena.
Your earning potential if you are able to rise to say a director or manager of a non-profit can be huge. But the median will be much lower. Teacher is lower earning potential, more stability. At least in my eyes.
Since you are a teacher, I think you already know what the M. Ed. will do for you.
I went to a graduate school for Public Affairs, though my Masters was not in that.
The end game for you after you get your MPA/MPP is probably either interning at a Political Office or working for a non-profit, making not too much $.
After that, your rise will be predicated on how well you can talk the talk and walk the walk. Non-profits have a LOT of politics. They are brutal, competitive, and female dominated. I have a friend who is going for a doctorate in this field to try and get a leg up.
I know much less about political arena.
Your earning potential if you are able to rise to say a director or manager of a non-profit can be huge. But the median will be much lower. Teacher is lower earning potential, more stability. At least in my eyes.
Actually, not too much. I have heard some people say that they want to use the M.ED for higher administration at colleges..i guess they mean jobs like registrar and stuff like that? They make 50k here so that's not bad. Other than that, I wouldn't mind working at the admin office downtown for my district. It's just that I need a job where I can sit down because I have medical problems that prevent me from standing too long.
I know what you mean about the politics, and honestly I hope you are wrong. It's why I left my last job in the non profit sector, I can't fight against 4 women and they ran me out there just like they did every director before me. I hate it, but the higher ups wouldn't back me up. Money is a big issue with me and I have seen admins in the district make anywhere form 50-90k...I am now more confused..i just don't want to make a mistake like I did with my undergrad
Actually, not too much. I have heard some people say that they want to use the M.ED for higher administration at colleges..i guess they mean jobs like registrar and stuff like that? They make 50k here so that's not bad. Other than that, I wouldn't mind working at the admin office downtown for my district. It's just that I need a job where I can sit down because I have medical problems that prevent me from standing too long.
I know what you mean about the politics, and honestly I hope you are wrong. It's why I left my last job in the non profit sector, I can't fight against 4 women and they ran me out there just like they did every director before me. I hate it, but the higher ups wouldn't back me up. Money is a big issue with me and I have seen admins in the district make anywhere form 50-90k...I am now more confused..i just don't want to make a mistake like I did with my undergrad
Well, as far as nonprofits, it depends on the nonprofit. There are countless smaller nonprofits in most large cities where that is not the atmosphere. But they pay little if they are able to keep many full time employees at all. The larger NYC nonprofits where the directors make well over six figures, it's a bloodbath. It's quite ironic that at a firm where the goal is to 'make no money' that it's such a brutal atmosphere.
The admin university jobs are really nice jobs, though you don't need even need a grad degree I think. Handle calls from students, help with advising, tuition, etc, etc. You can see how much they make, because university salaries are public.
Easy, low stress job too. I'm just not sure how hard it would be to get. People never leave those positions. The people who were the admins at my grad school are still there several years later.
Well, as far as nonprofits, it depends on the nonprofit. There are countless smaller nonprofits in most large cities where that is not the atmosphere. But they pay little if they are able to keep many full time employees at all. The larger NYC nonprofits where the directors make well over six figures, it's a bloodbath. It's quite ironic that at a firm where the goal is to 'make no money' that it's such a brutal atmosphere.
The admin university jobs are really nice jobs, though you don't need even need a grad degree I think. Handle calls from students, help with advising, tuition, etc, etc. You can see how much they make, because university salaries are public.
Easy, low stress job too. I'm just not sure how hard it would be to get. People never leave those positions. The people who were the admins at my grad school are still there several years later.
I would really like to work for a non profit, but does it matter what I get my masters degree in? I think I remember a girl getting bachelor's degrees in History and English and then she got her Masters and now she is a director at my local university over the career center. I did check their salaries, and she does very well for herself. I was threatened today by a student as a matter of fact and I just want a way out if I need it, like working at a university would be good.
I have a MPA. It helped me get my current position within a world-class company in their public sector division. My pay is considered very good... much better than $24/hour, at least.
So much of what or where a person ends up is dependent on so many variables. Consider what can happen by being a community organizer.
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