Advice - Work Experience, Graduate School, & Career
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Advice - Work Experience, Graduate School, & Career
First off, I know this is a car forum so I’m completely aware of the feedback I may (or may not) get. Nonetheless, I feel this forum has many experienced, intelligent, well thought out and knowledgeable individuals who has a lot to offer – not relating to cars. So here goes.
I feel I am lacking in work experience in the field I want to get into. To be more specific, I have ZERO ‘formal' work experience. I want to get into project management, possible HR, and management. Currently I am enrolled in a graduate program for my Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership. My undergraduate was a waste as I’m not doing anything with it. I have a decent position with whom I’m working for at the moment that allows me to exercise my leadership abilities with other projects (though limited). I have only been with the company for a year.
1. Do I continue with the graduate program learning theories and writing papers in a blended program. By “blended” I mean it is a 75% online and 25% in class program. If I continue, I will be done in May 2016.
2.Should I discontinue the program and take the time I have and volunteer with jobs/opportunities where I may be able to get my foot in the door so I can pursue this career path and pursue/finish my MA at a later time?
Any sort of insight is greatly appreciated and valued!
I feel I am lacking in work experience in the field I want to get into. To be more specific, I have ZERO ‘formal' work experience. I want to get into project management, possible HR, and management. Currently I am enrolled in a graduate program for my Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership. My undergraduate was a waste as I’m not doing anything with it. I have a decent position with whom I’m working for at the moment that allows me to exercise my leadership abilities with other projects (though limited). I have only been with the company for a year.
1. Do I continue with the graduate program learning theories and writing papers in a blended program. By “blended” I mean it is a 75% online and 25% in class program. If I continue, I will be done in May 2016.
2.Should I discontinue the program and take the time I have and volunteer with jobs/opportunities where I may be able to get my foot in the door so I can pursue this career path and pursue/finish my MA at a later time?
Any sort of insight is greatly appreciated and valued!
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From: SJC
Project management, HR, and management are structural things. . . which is all fine and well, but what industry do you want to get into? Or, what kind of organizations do you think you want to lead?
Most of our project managers have experience at companies similar to our current company (that may be a geographical function, but still. . .). I'd figure out what kind of industry you'd want to hitch your wagon to (at least for the first phase of your career), then start there.
Related, talk to/write to/contact the people who are doing what you want to do, and figure out how they got there. People are at the core of any endeavor, so go meet the people who are at or near where you want to be.
Per your practical questions:
1. Finish your education. Dropouts who succeed only do so after they have a plan (or productized passion) in place, not before.
2. Why make it an "or" proposition? Make it an "and" proposition. Make time to do some volunteer/unpaid work in your field(s) while finishing school. Yes, it is tough, but balancing the schedule is key thing that separates the "thinking about its" from the "doing its."
Most of our project managers have experience at companies similar to our current company (that may be a geographical function, but still. . .). I'd figure out what kind of industry you'd want to hitch your wagon to (at least for the first phase of your career), then start there.
Related, talk to/write to/contact the people who are doing what you want to do, and figure out how they got there. People are at the core of any endeavor, so go meet the people who are at or near where you want to be.
Per your practical questions:
1. Finish your education. Dropouts who succeed only do so after they have a plan (or productized passion) in place, not before.
2. Why make it an "or" proposition? Make it an "and" proposition. Make time to do some volunteer/unpaid work in your field(s) while finishing school. Yes, it is tough, but balancing the schedule is key thing that separates the "thinking about its" from the "doing its."
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