Seeking Input (Help!)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Koolcypher, Jul 4, 2015.

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  1. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Hello fellow members,

    I have a conundrum and I'm seeking help. Here is my current situation:

    I currently live and work outside the United States, in Nicaragua, to be precise. I work as a communications consultant doing political PR, public and corporate communication as well. I have a bachelors degree in public administration and a masters degree in professional writing. I also have an MFA in creative writing from a NA school (this was earned for fun and I do not list it on my resume). I have attempted, without much success (washed out), doing several other degrees in various areas, communications, business and so on. Business was not my cup of tea, the same can be said of leadership. I started doing a communications degree from Johns Hopkins, however, I had to drop out due to the incredible cost, and the redundancy with my writing degree. Current age: 41. I'm also a veteran, served eight years in the Army as an Intel Analyst.

    Now, here is where I need help. I currently have 19 months left on my Post 9/11 GI Bill, and would like to use it to earn another degree. However, given my educational and work background what would you suggest? (I'm talking to you Neuhaus, since you are an HR executive I value your input) As I do of many, many other members here.
    :tongue:

    My plan is to return to the US and would like a degree to compliment my background and educational history. MBA's and management degrees are out of the question. MBA's are a dime-a-dozen, and management/leadership degrees do not appeal to me. However, I'm open to other degrees, I just want different perspectives and different opinions. Maybe others will point something that I'm not seeing, so it helps to have different points of view from different minds. And I do value all of your opinions, thank you.

    Have a happy and safe 4th of July!. :usa2:
     
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Just an armchair suggestion - your career seems to involve things political. Perhaps a degree in some aspect of politics or government (other than public admin.) would be appropriate. I'm sure there are many choices - hopefully not all of them horribly expensive. :smile:

    J.
     
  3. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Hmm, great observation Johann. You do bring a valid point,and something that I had no thought about. Great comment. Keep 'em coming, thank you.
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You've given a lot of good information but I'm not clear on what you actually want to do. I know a guy who does political PR and he has a law degree and owns a marketing company. You might need to think of and then figure the ddegree that will help you get there rather than earn a degree and then find a job that matches. Did that come out right?
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    How about an MSA in Public Admin?

    Public Administration
    The Master of Science in Administration with a specialization in Public Administration is an interdisciplinary degree offered entirely online. The program of studies is designed to prepare students for advanced management and leadership roles in public and not-for-profit organizations at the federal, state and local levels.

    Graduate Students in Public Administration at UWF will build managerial and analytical skills useful in a career in governmental and nonprofit organizations. The program integrates administrative theory and practice, and is designed to provide an understanding of governmental and not-for-profit structures and processes as well as the political/economic/organizational environment in which the administrator works.

    This Online Graduate Program is well suited for mid-career specialists as well as pre-service students. Specialists who desire to move into broader administrative positions of responsibility or to upgrade their administrative capabilities will find the program useful. Pre-service students are provided important networking opportunities through interaction in online classes with experienced mid-level professional and/or executive staff presently employed in governmental or not-for-profit agencies.

    Public Administration Academic Learning Plan: MSA-Public-Administration-ALP (PDF)

    Public Administration Curriculum Map: MSA-Public-Administration-CMGR (PDF)

    More information contact: Dr. Charlie Penrod at [email protected] or 850.474.2777
    Go to web site for more information or Look at Degree Plan
    Graduate | University of West Florida
     
  6. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Thanks Kiz, and yes, it came out perfect. I think I'm trying to figure out what my next phase (career wise) would look like. Breaking into political PR or consulting in the US can be challenging. The bulk of my experience has been internationally, all throughout Latin America. I speak, read, and write fluent Spanish, so this has given me the advantage to leverage my US-based education in Latin America. I guess I would not mind teaching. Be it at the CC level, or the middle school level. I could teach writing (Language Arts), government or history. I've always loved history, and the MA History degree at Slippery Rock intrigues me, and the price is right (fully funded through the Post 9/11). I guess I'm trying to figure out if a history degree would help me or it could become a hindrance by raising red flags. I could always say that the history degree provides excellent writing and research skills. Skills that I could definitely use in my current field. Am I overthinking this too much? :banghead:
     
  7. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

  8. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Great find, thanks.
     
  9. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Quick update:

    I've decided to attend Northcentral University. I ended up choosing the PhD in Business Administration with concentration in Marketing. Why marketing? Because it closely resembles what I have been doing, and it is not too far off, discipline wise, from my Masters degree. It also gives me the opportunity to conduct research and see how government can best apply marketing principles to reach its constituents. Particularly here in Latin America where governments do not like transparency. Why NCU? Well, for one it is one class at a time, no pesky group work, or weekly postings, and no residency. I know the residencies are important, however, my current situation makes attending residencies quite impossible. We'll see how it goes, wish me luck. I will, periodically, post about my experiences here. I know NCU does not have a great reputation (customer service wise) per se. So I'm hoping things have changed and will keep everyone posted.
     
  10. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Best of luck with your program. Please let us know how it's going. We never get enough descriptions of first hand experiences.
     
  11. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Thanks Kiz, will do. My first course is schedule for August 11th.
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I would be leery of them from others' accounts of having been jerked around during the dissertation phase. But I suppose those were anecdotes, not an actual study. Best of luck either way!
     

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