Name

Jessie Davis

School

Eastern Michigan University

Degree Program

First year Masters student in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Pre-law, 2010; Bachelor of Arts in History, 2010

Research Interests

Teaching; Public policy

Hobbies

Reading, knitting, crafts

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

Cost was the biggest factor in choosing my graduate program. I knew I could only afford grad school if I was given a graduate assistantship position. Luckily, I met the qualifications for such a position at Eastern Michigan University, so most of my tuition is covered.

After considering tuition, I also concentrated on the different schools’ reputations. I didn’t want to spend time getting a degree from a disreputable school whose faculty had no acclaim.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared for graduate school by building my resume as an undergraduate. I tried to focus on diversifying my experience by getting involved with student organizations. This helped me deal with people whose concentrations were different from mine. I needed that diverse experience because I will be working with many different people and issues as I progress through my public administration program.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

No, Eastern Michigan University did not require me to take any standardized tests. I was happy about that, because a lot of schools require the GRE. I know that preparing for this test can be very stressful and time-consuming.

What types of questions were asked in your admissions interview?

My admissions interview focused mainly on whether or not I would make a suitable graduate assistant and a quality educator. I had to explain my relevant experience in the field of public administration and I had to sell myself based on the qualities that would make me a good teacher.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in public administration?

One tip is to meet with the advisor or the head of the department before you start your program. It will be beneficial in the long run to meet with these people because you may need this network of contacts to give you recommendations when you are applying for jobs. Also, it can be difficult to navigate the registration process on your own. Your advisor will help you make sure you take the right classes to complete the program.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My program usually can be completed in 2 ? years. Right now I am in my first year, so I have focused mainly on completing the core coursework requirements. Next year, I will finish my coursework and begin to write my thesis. Finally, towards the end of my program I will do an internship in some field of public administration. I don’t know what that internship will require of me yet.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your thesis?

I am still in the preparatory stages of writing my thesis since I am in my first year, but I am trying to get a head start on choosing my thesis topic. In my field, it is common to write about compelling political issues that affect the public, so I am actively seeking out a potential thesis topic within that subject area. In every class, I make note of interesting ideas that I could transform into a suitable thesis paper as well.

Does your program have an internship component?

Yes, my program requires all students to have some degree of work experience before they can graduate. When students are initially accepted into the program, they are either classified as pre-service or in-service students. Those with relevant public administration experience are called in-service, and they can sidestep the internship requirement. But since I am pre-service, I will be doing an internship towards the end of my program.

For students who need it, Eastern Michigan University has placement services to help students find an internship, which is something that I find really appealing about its program. The school also helps students to work with these organizations, with the hope that students will gain employment from them after finishing their program. The services provide another way students can build a network of contacts to find employment after school is over.

We can take these internships any time after we complete the first year of coursework. In my opinion, trying to take on an internship too early in your program is probably not beneficial for the student or for the organization because it is important for the student to be comfortable with the basic theories surrounding the work they are doing.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

When I start my thesis, I will work closely with an advisor that I select myself, but for now I talk to a general advisor who was assigned to me when I was first admitted, and who assists me in registering for the correct classes. I see my advisor as an advocate who makes sure my education is going the way it is supposed to go. It is good to have somebody to speak to in case I have any academic problems or questions about the department. He is a very useful resource in navigating the grad school process.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

My masters program is far more rigorous that my undergraduate studies. Although I worked very hard as double major when I was an undergraduate, it is still a big change to work at the graduate level. Because it takes so much effort, I would urge potential masters students to consider whether or not a graduate degree will be helpful in the long run. Don’t enter a graduate program just to kill time until you find a job. It is a big commitment and it is not something to consider doing lightly.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

My masters program costs tens of thousands of dollars, although I don’t have to pay tuition because of my graduate assistantship. I do have to pay for my books, which are a couple of hundred dollars each semester. I also had to purchase a new computer before my classes started.

How are you funding your education?

My graduate assistantship funds my tuition. This position comes with a stipend as well, but it is not much to live on. However, because of the tuition waiver, I was comfortable taking out a smaller student loan in order to deal with incidental expenses, such as buying a new computer. In order to become a graduate assistantship, I had to complete a couple of rounds of interviews as though I were applying for a job.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters in public administration?

I have to split my time between teaching class, attending class, and studying, so I am very busy. My graduate assistantship position requires me to work about 5 or 6 hours a day, and then I go to class in the evenings twice a week for 3 hours. I am getting used to the schedule now, but you definitely have to build up discipline to work nearly a full day and then attend class from 7 to 10 PM. In addition to those time commitments, I have to study about 6 or 7 hours in an average week.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has certainly reduced the amount of time I spend socializing. I work very hard during the week so that I have more time on the weekends. I find that I need a couple of days to relax in order to keep my sanity, so I make time to see my friends and have fun. That balance is really important.

I don’t have any original time management strategies, but I make sure to do a little bit of extra reading and homework each weekday so that I don’t have as much to do on the weekends.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

After graduation, I want to direct a non-profit organization, since my concentration within public administration is non-profit management. Hopefully, I will be working for a cause that I find personally compelling, but realistically, I know that I cannot be too picky in today’s job market.

I am also interested in working in either state- or local-level government, and I think that my Master of Public Administration program will give me tools that I can use in that sector. Still, I take comfort in the fact that I won’t be pigeon-holed into a certain job in one sector or another. Public administration opens up a range of career options.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters in public health?

If you are considering graduate school, your top priority should be to explore opportunities for graduate assistantships, research positions and fellowships. You should never pay for grad school yourself. Graduate assistantship spots are ideal because your school is paid for and you also gain relevant work experience.

Also, start preparing for graduate school as an undergraduate. Looking back, I wish I had known how my decisions as an undergraduate would affect my future. For instance, I should have taken an internship, which was optional in my undergrad program. An internship would have been helpful in making another professional contact. Furthermore, it would have been a nice way to bridge the gap between the knowledge from my political science and history classes from my undergraduate years and what I am learning now in my graduate-level study of public administration.