MBA alternatives….

We all know that many of us are not made out for MBA degree. Some of us know our limitations while others might look at it as a complete waste of time. After all, not everyone is cut out for the same. Add to that the fact that there seems to be a dearth of opportunities as far as possibilities go after Bachelors. Most try and get into another masters program which they might have no penchant for! let’s look at a few possibilities which exist but are often overlooked!!…….

Many actually look at MBA as a method to cement the future prospects in an attempt to enhance opportunities.

Master’s in Advertising or Marketing: Instead of choosing an M.B.A. with a concentration in advertising or marketing, pursue a degree that focuses entirely on these interests. Advertising and marketing programs have rigorous curricula involving, for example, psycho-graphics, demographics, and appropriate analytics and business metrics, but without the survey of general business topics you would find in an M.B.A. program.

Master of Human Resources: If you have a career in human resources, and intend to stay in HR, this is the obvious choice for you. It is far more beneficial to focus on the law, policy, best practices, and theory of your chosen field than to spend time on such arcane subjects as general corporate finance.

Master’s in Organization Development: Organization development (OD) is a relatively new field, focusing on the human side of organizational systems. In short, OD is a human-focused, systems-based approach to addressing organizational problems. If you want to learn how to build teams, resolve conflict, design information flows, deal with organizational culture, create large-scale organizational change, or develop post-merger integration strategies, then OD might be right for you.

Master of Public Administration: If you work in the public sector, for a government contractor, for a major nongovernmental organization (NGO) or nonprofit, or in any type of highly bureaucratic organizational structure, this degree may be a good choice for you. M.B.A. programs focus on the needs of major corporate organizations, and outside the corporate world, the types of information flows, information technology (IT), finance, and regulatory environments are different.

Master of Public Policy: Although popular in the same sectors as public administration, the public-policy curriculum is more theoretical and more analytical than the focus of the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) People with M.P.A.s do things–people with M.P.P.s think about how things should be done. The M.P.P. degree is popular in public-sector consulting, think tanks, policy-setting and regulatory environments, and with such glamour employers as the United Nations.

Master of Public Health: If you work in health care, or in a government agency concerned with health-care delivery, then the MPH can be an excellent choice. The MPH is a wide-ranging degree, with curricula that may range from epidemiology to immigrant/nonnative communications and marketing, to public finance.

Master of Health-Care Administration: This is a more specialized degree choice than the MPH, appropriate for people who plan career advancement within a hospital, insurer, health maintenance organization (HMO), hospice, gerontology center, adult daycare, extended-care facility, or similar. One variant is the Master of Hospital Administration, which is obviously for people who plan to advance within a hospital setting.

Master of Sports Administration: This degree is self-explanatory, but with a caveat: It is sometimes more popular with aspirants than with practitioners. You need sports experience, either as part of the degree program or before you even enter, in order to get the maximum career benefit. If you plan to run a college athletic program, work in professional or Olympic sports, or even run a youth sports league, this degree may fit.

Master of Educational Administration: This degree can focus on primary/secondary education, or on higher education, but usually not both, so be sure you choose a program with the concentration that interests you most. There are many variants, such as the M.Ed. with a concentration in administration, or the M.A. in student affairs.

Master of Arts Administration: If you want to work in the business side of museums, theater, public art, or music, then this degree may be perfect for you. As with sports administration, if you want this degree to help you in your career, you need to have internships or experience in arts administration at some point before you graduate.

Master’s in Urban Planning: City and regional-planning degrees are not just for planning officers. Architecture firms, construction companies, commercial and residential developers, and such specialized firms as shopping-center design consultants will employ and advance people with this degree.

Master’s in International Relations: The MIR will help anyone in business, government, nonprofit, or NGO environments with transnational or international business to conduct. Candidates should speak more than one language proficiently before entering this type of program. Career success with an MIR hinges on the student having lived overseas prior to entering the degree program. As with some of these other choices, an MIR without the right experiences may have little career impact. And just for the record, the U.S. diplomatic corps use the Foreign Service Written Exam (FSWE) as an entrance requirement, not a master’s degree.

There are many more examples of alternatives to the M.B.A., such as the M.S.I.A. (master of science in industrial administration) or the M.E.M. (master of engineering management). Any master’s degree will have career value as you gain valuable transferable skills, but some of these degrees make more sense than the M.B.A. for people with specific career plans.

Source: http://education.in.msn.com/

Grammer!?

I stumbled upon an article recently which talked about the appalling state of proper spelling and grammar usage among fresh graduates! I believe that communication is the most vital tool which a researcher has at his/her disposal! Without this, the entire process f research and development (be it industry or institution) falters.

I will reproduce parts of the original article…..

It’s not bad enough that many young employees have poor spelling and grammar. Now some university graduates are using text message abbreviations and gaming slang in job applications.

People in the graduate recruitment industry have the following complaints - that the spelling is substandard, the grammar is not very good and at times the correspondence can be a bit familiar.

Recruiters also report it is a big problem. The problem seems to be more pronounced for engineering graduates….In a job, it is known to be a particular problem among those who had studied for a technical degree such as software engineering. They sometimes use very relaxed language as though communicating with friends by text message.

It’s high time that students get their act together and try and make necessary amends (for those who really are plagued with such inadequacies). Graduate students are professionals and should act like the same.

Another article says…

More than three-quarters of employers would be put off a job candidate by poor spelling or grammar, a survey has found.

In Europe, the biggest draw for potential employers is relevant work experience, mentioned by 46%, followed by a “good work ethic” (43%). Just a quarter (24%) of employers said they were interested in a candidate’s class of degree and 14% in the reputation of the university they had attended. Research from the CBI earlier this year indicated that 42% are unhappy with the basic skills of those applying for jobs. Even graduates are writing illiterate memos and are in need of constant supervision, employers report.

PS: The original article talked about problems in Europe and Australia!

When, How, Where!

I stumbled upon the “University of Washington” daily and read a recent post on the graduate school application process! Though most of the stuff is old and well known, a few new things can be found! I will reproduce certain specific sections of the article for you benefit and provide you with the link to the original as well.

While many undergraduates consider graduate school as an option following graduation, continuing in an academic environment isn’t for everyone as Joan Abe (director of graduate admissions) says.

Graduate school is for students interested in furthering their study of one aspect of their undergraduate education. Students often use graduate school to focus on a particular topic or branch of study from within a broad undergraduate major such as biology, mechanical engineering or psychology.

Before applying to graduate school, most students endure a lengthy search and weigh their options carefully to find a program that’s a good fit.

Jake Summers, a masters student in Korea studies at the Jackson School of International Studies, began his graduate school search using his undergraduate resources.

“I took like five or 10 of my favorite books that I read in undergrad and looked at where they were written,” he said.

Many of these publications were written by professors at the UW, Harvard or UCLA. This eventually led Summers to apply to the UW, which he also attended as an undergraduate.

Graduate school requires commitment and time management skills. There is a need to plan up things in advance and then go for the course. Finances should also be planned for and any issues catered to! 

While an undergraduate, the process (of applications) can be quite intimidating. Adequate research of graduate programs and different essays means that it becomes necessary to cater to all the programs separately which needs time and thus should be planned in such a way so as not to hinder the undergrad courses and work load. 

Standardized test scores are one component of the application process for most graduate schools in the United States, but they are not weighed as heavily as undergraduate academic performance and personal ambition (which is seen from the essay).

Aside from at least one standardized test, graduate school application requirements are fairly similar to those of undergraduate applications.

“As far as entrance exams are concerned, grad student applicants should be prepared to submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose, along with their college transcript,” Abe said.

Most applications are due in the winter prior to the first year of study, and deadlines can be as early as December.

In terms of funding graduate education, potential sources are not especially plentiful.

Some disciplines might see a lot of funding thanks to private agencies and Alumni grants, while others might have to do with a few government funds. Before applying, make sure you know exactly how well research group is doing (the one which you wish to get into).

This article is more of an “INTRODUCTION” of sorts for undergraduate (college) students who wish to plan and try for a graduate program in USA. For detailed information on the specific aspects of the standardized tests and the application process, go through the articles which are linked through the RECOMMENDED section

Source : http://thedaily.washington.edu/

Canada

I found a websire giving a complete listing of graduate programs in Canada! Some courses are worth looking at and those interested should use this search tool! I do hope the listing helps! the site has google ads so click only if they seem useful!

Source: http://www.canadian-universities.net/Universities/Programs/Graduate-Studies.html

Please use the tool prudently.

Money Factor

Well, there are some factors which need to be kept in mind when it comes to Aid availability and other university grants!

Most programs give funding priority to doctoral candidates.

More aid is earmarked for academic programs. The idea is that professional students will be better able to pay off loans.

Master’s students in the sciences and engineering tend to be the best funded.

Full-time students receive more aid than part-timers.

Many people use employee allowances to fund part-time graduate education.

Private programs often give more aid, but the public ones usually cost a lot less.

In-state students at public universities pay less tuition than out-of-state students.

Some more term to be considered include,

• Always ask if the award is good for the whole time you’ll be there.
• Carefully consider the obligations you’ll have in exchange for assistance.
• Determine whether your award will cover full expenses.

more about school based aid….

Work for Tuition Dollars
The word “assistantship” suits this type of award perfectly: In exchange for your assistance, you’ll be assisted in paying your tuition! Plus, you’ll get the chance to get involved in the internal workings of your academic department. This is the most common form of graduate aid.

Teaching assistantships
In exchange for teaching within your field, you are given a salary and/or tuition help. The specifics will depend on the school, but duties may include grading papers, monitoring labs, or teaching courses. Large public universities use many TAs.

Research assistantships
These are similar to teaching assistantships, but involve research. In most cases, you receive funding in exchange for doing work in your discipline. This type of award is common in the sciences and social sciences.

For more information, try and check the http://www.petersons.com/ 

Tips!

TIPS FOR GETTING INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL

There are a few ways by which you could increase your chances of getting into a graduate program of your choice! I will list a few of them which I read in gradschooltips.

• Start early. If you’re still in college, then do whatever it takes to get top grades for the remainder of your time there. If you have to cut back on your social life or recreational activities, so be it. Your sacrifice will pay off down the road. Take as many advanced courses as possible in your field (If not available from the college you are going to, try for a part time program or one which is available during your holidays). And get to know some professors if you haven’t already. Engage them, and let them know of your interest in going on to grad school. See if there’s any way you can be of assistance to them in their teaching or research (It would most likely be in research). Not only would such experience be a real plus on your grad school application, but the professor would be able to give you an outstanding recommendation, in contrast to the run of the mill one they might write if you were just another of their students. Start the application process early, also. Not only will this give you a leg up on much of your competition for acceptance, but it also allows you to do things thoroughly and in order.
• Find out what test or tests you’ll be required to take in order to apply. Then invest in some study guides or other materials and spend some serious time tackling the practice tests. You shouldn’t even think about taking the LSAT, MCAT, GRE, GMAT or other test without a good test guide and a proper preparation, and without spending hours and hours studying it.
• Apply to several schools. It’s recommended that you apply to at least six. Some people apply to twenty or more. However many you choose is up to you, but certainly it should be more than two or three. Competition for grad school slots is fierce, especially at the better known universities and programs. You may think you’ve got an excellent chance at being admitted to your first choice, and you may, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Have one or two safety schools as a backup. (Even if you have a 1550 GRE score and are the university topper with published papers, make sure that you apply to safe schools!)
• Keep in mind that the admissions process for graduate schools is nothing like the process undergraduate colleges and universities use. There, decisions are made by the admissions department. For grad school, the professors in the department make the decisions. It’s a much more personal decision. For that reason, if possible, you should visit as many schools as you can, and talk to the professors there. Let them know how much you’d like to work with them, and try to convey what a good student you are, and what an asset to the program you’d be. You don’t want to fawn or grovel, but you most certainly do want to make an impression. Some prospective grad students strike up email conversations with professors at schools they’d like to attend after they’ve visited and met them. Some might do this without a visit. If you have friends in a program where you hope to wind up, you can ask them to introduce you to some professors, and put in a good word for you.
• If you’ve written any articles for publication, be sure to include a copy of them in your application bundle. Since writing and researching is what grad school is all about, you’ll demonstrate that you can do the work,. The fact that your writing was considered good enough for publication will say volumes about what kind of student you’ll be.
• Keep abreast of developments in the departments of any universities you hope to attend. If you learn that one recently received a large grant for research purposes, or was given a large gift by a donor, that could well mean that they’ll be looking to accept more than their usual number of incoming grad students in order to make use of the money.
• Finally, if you’re not sure if you want to earn a master’s or doctorate, think about applying for the doctoral program. Most professors and departments give strong preference to doctoral candidates over students studying for their master’s. And if it comes down to it, that could be the deciding factor at your school. And if you’re accepted into a doctoral program, but later decide that a master’s would be better, most departments will let you switch. By that time, you’ll already be in school, and so you won’t have to worry about being accepted for admission.

Source: http://www.gradschooltips.com/

Soft Skills!

Soft skills are very important and vital for the industry! A new era has ushered in with serious thought being given to the importance of soft skills by the academia and unique steps being taken to make sure the are considered. The university of Wisconsin system is showing the first signs of moderation with a new soft skill based transcript which is going to be issued to the graduating students along with the traditional transcript showing grades. This would pave the way for better evaluation of the candidates (grads) by the prospective employers!

Quoting from the article…..

With competition for jobs heating up, colleges are looking to give their graduates an edge in the employment market. Will a second transcript; one that focuses on a student’s so-called soft skills, do the trick?

University of Wisconsin officials think so. The 26 universities that make up the state system, which includes the undergraduate business program at Madison, are working on a plan to develop dual transcripts that could be sent to job recruiters and graduate school admissions committees. These dual transcripts would include the traditional one with courses and grades and a second one that somehow validates a graduate’s creative thinking, participation in extracurricular activities, jobs, and internships, and gives those reading it a sense of the person’s life outside the classroom.

Service Sector Helping to Drive Demand

Initial reaction to the plan has been cautious, with some critics saying it was unclear why such a transcript, which would include some of the skills and activities currently part of the typical student résumé, is even necessary. But proponents say the résumé would provide official verification of the student’s abilities outside of academics.

Recruiters have been saying for years that they would like more information on graduates’ soft skills. Indeed, employers listed communication skills, a strong work ethic, teamwork skills, initiative, and interpersonal skills, in that order, as the top characteristics that they look for in new hires, according to the Job Outlook 2008 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE).

Documented Learning Outside the Classroom

The motivation for creating dual transcripts came from a desire to prove just how well-rounded graduates are, University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly said in telephone interview. He says all sorts of learning goes on outside the classroom, and the university should capture it. Full disclosure and open dialogue, he adds, are important for all institutions of higher learning, but especially public universities.

But students are not convinced the transcripts are feasible or necessary. “We’re a little worried about how the university can make this a credible thing,” says Ryan Masse, editorial board chairman of the University of Wisconsin at Madison independent student newspaper, The Badger Herald. “How will they verify everything from school activities to jobs, internships, projects?”

Fears About Duplication and Verification

An editorial in the Feb. 11 issue of The Badger Herald condemned the proposal by pointing out that such an undertaking – signing off on an official document that assesses lofty and hard-to-grasp characteristics such as creative thinking – could require numerous resources. The editorial board also argued that most employers today get this information from a person’s résumé and references, which would eliminate the need for such a transcript.

School officials maintain that a transcript from a university would hold more weight with employers because the school is standing behind the information. Giroux, the university spokesman, noted that the second transcript would only add to the traditional academic scorecard, and not replace it. “When we look at prospective students, we look at them as whole people, not numbers,” says Giroux. “Prospective employers do the same.”

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/

$ is what matters

Colleges and Universities in USA are very richly endowed! I sometimes feel what varsities here in India would do if they ever get their hands on such high amounts of money!!! I would quote a few excerpts from an Associated Press article which I saw a few minutes back!

It seems that college donations have gone up for 2007 in USA and reached approximately $30 billion. However, what is really eye opening is the disproportionate nature of the endowments, quoting from the article,

“…….the already wealthy schools — with leading faculty researchers and the most sophisticated fundraising operations — had the most success attracting new donations. The top 20 fundraisers raised $518 million more than the previous year, and a total of $7.66 billion. They account for just 2 percent of survey respondents, but accounted for more than a quarter of all contributions to colleges and universities, and nearly one-third of the total increase in giving…….”

Stanford has been the most successful and raised a whooping $832 million (down from $911 million last year) followed by Harvard (getting $614 million). However, the looming economic slowdown might have its toll,

“….. “Anything to do with the economy, when people don’t feel good, whether it’s justified or not, it doesn’t put them in a philanthropic mind-set as easily, there’s no question about it,” said Paul Robell, vice president for development and alumni affairs at the University of Florida. “It’s just really a state of mind more than anything else.”…….”

“The figures come as colleges have faced increasing demands from the public and in Congress to spend more of their endowments, particularly to keep tuition rises in check. In recent months a string of institutions such as Harvard, Dartmouth and Swarthmore have announced significant expansions of financial aid.”

I just hope, things continue to remain good for the foreseeable future! Every time a recession sets in, there is a stagnation of sorts in endowments! And I need funding ( who doesn’t)…….

Source: AP

For more information:  http://www.cae.org (COUNCIL FOR AID TO EDUCATION)