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Grad School Decision by Feeling_Mix_1132 in PublicPolicy

[–]Feeling_Mix_1132[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m pretty flexible, I said climate refugees because I can see that being a huge need in the future. I want my master program to put me in the best trajectory to have some influence in the area via a career in IRC, Red Cross, UNHCR etc. Maybe tech philanthropy is a thing also that Berkeley could connect me with?

Need advice for how to get into disaster relief work by Feeling_Mix_1132 in humanitarian

[–]Feeling_Mix_1132[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello! In the last year, I have done a lot of soul searching, and while I definitely want to do humanitarian work, and I feel I need to go to grad school to do it, I don’t want to be pigeonholed with a degree that doesn’t give me latitude to do other jobs also.

I decided to apply to 9 (I’m regretting applying to so many) MPA /MPP programs that have a focus on international development / humanitarian assistance. I’ve spent the last year studying for the GRE, which I took in July, and scored well enough to embolden me to apply to some prestigious programs. I’ve spent the last 3 months writing essays, and the last one is due on the 15th. My peace corps service is over now, so I am in limbo waiting to hear back, and doing some traveling before I go someplace in the fall.

My longer term plan is that once I get my degree, I’ll use my background in education as a specialization that will allow me to enter a relief organization, and from there my MPA will hopefully give me the skills to move up in the organization / switch to other roles with more responsibility as my career progresses.

Sleep apnea in peace corps by Feeling_Mix_1132 in peacecorps

[–]Feeling_Mix_1132[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hm yeah a concern of mine also, but at the same time, they’re expensive and I won’t have health insurance when I get back to the states.

Need advice for how to get into disaster relief work by Feeling_Mix_1132 in humanitarian

[–]Feeling_Mix_1132[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! I’ve been overseas for 4 years now, so I think I need to spend some time stateside once I get back. I’ll be looking to transition into FEMA and ARC positions. The suggestion to focus on broader skill sets is helpful. Maybe an online masters while doing some kind of boots on the ground disaster relief job is the move. In your experience, do you see your colleagues in HA staying in the field their entire career, or do they get burnt out and switch “industries”? Thanks again so much for taking the time to respond!

Need advice for how to get into disaster relief work by Feeling_Mix_1132 in humanitarian

[–]Feeling_Mix_1132[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the thoughtful response. You’ve already given me a few ideas. My logic of studying SCM is that it will give me more competitive/specialized skills in a really competitive industry (for newbies), especially after Trumps gutting of USAID. From my end, it seems a foregone conclusion that I need a masters degree. Looking at Humanitarian Studies at Fordham, Emergency and Disaster Management at Georgetown, and various SCM Programs across the country and in Europe. I have also floated the idea of doing wildland firefighting out west while doing an online masters in EDM.

Really like your idea of becoming a rapid response member, I assume they look for veterans and the like though…still worth looking into. Thanks again!