Post Graduate Options for Political Science MajorsCareer Development Specialist:

Melissa Glaser RubinNovember 2, 2016

LEARNING OBJECTIVES> Consider options post graduation

> Know resources - Career Development

Department and others for career exploration,

job search, and graduate school application

> Understand fundamentals of job search

> Explore issues/process for grad school

What do you want to do?

Common Options

• Work• Gap Year• Fellowship• Law School• Graduate School

Which is right for YOU?CAREER EXPLORATION RESOURCES INCLUDE:

Family, friends, professors, colleagues, alumni, professional association members

Career Development OfficeCareer exploration conversations/assessments

Career Development WebsiteCareer GuidesO*Net, MassCISCampus organizations and professional associations

NUCareers ResourcesPath Source, Vocational Biographies, Candid Career

Employers in Residence

Fundamentals of Job Search

Job Boards

• Indeed, Monster• NUCareers– On Campus Recruiting

• Industry Specific – See NEU Career Development– Career Guides– Nonprofit– Gap Year– Fellowships– Government

• Google

Target Companies

Ideally identify 10-30 target companies– What are YOUR specs for the ideal company?

• Previous knowledge/news/conversations• Google• Hiring on job boards like NUCareers, industry

specific sites from Career Guides• NUCareers – Buzzfile, Going Global &

Glassdoor

Networking

• Not as scary as it sounds• Networking and Informational Interviewing• Sources include personal connections, alumni,

fellow professional association members• Use LinkedIn to identify people. Use email or

phone to reach out.• Ideally interview with at least one person per

target company

Personal Branding Tools• Resume• Cover letters• LinkedIn profile• Personal website (optional)• Personal Statement (graduate school)• References

• Job Descriptions = Road map

• Walk-ins (M-F 1:30-3:30), Career Express & 1 hour appointments

• Workshops covering all of these are helpful, as are resources on NEU Career Development & NUCareers pages

• http://www.northeastern.edu/careers/• https://nucareers.northeastern.edu/home.htm

Grad School/Law School?

• Still need personal branding tools• Will target schools instead of companies• Will still network to research best fit and make

personal connections

• Use Career Development Department resources such as: Personal statement editing, practice testing, mock L1 first-year law school class, Big Interview

Why Grad or Law School?

WHY ATTEND GRAD SCHOOL?

> Personal growth

> Sense of accomplishment

> Greater employment opportunities

> Financial reward

ASK YOURSELF FIRST …

> What are my long-term goals, and how would a graduate degree help me achieve them?

> Is an advanced degree required? What kind?

> Will I make more money? More marketable?

> Do I have the financial resources necessary?

PROS AND CONS OF DELAYING GRAD SCHOOL

Pros:> Earn more $$ for school> Gain experience to help chances for admissions and employment> Build skills and knowledge to clarify goals> Work within the profession> Establish a year of residency (in-state tuition)> Qualify for employer sponsored tuition assistance> Relax/refocus

Cons:> “Use it or lose it” (academically/socially)

> Lost momentum or motivation> Longer one waits, longer to finish> Possible weaker ties to recommendations> Potential life complications (job, partner, kids…)

GRADUATE SCHOOL CHECKLIST & ACTION STEPS> Make a list of what you’re looking for in a grad program

> Create a list of target schools/programs (ex. Excel)

> May be defined by your GPA, test scores & interests

> Research, compare & narrow down your options

> Online boards

> School online sites and actual visits

> Personal connections/Interviews

> Consider funding possibilities

> Begin application process

FINDING THE RIGHT “FIT”> Location/Size

> Demographics

> Degree Type (ex. Online)

> Time Investment

> Career Development Resources

> Admission Requirements (i.e. testing)

FINDING THE RIGHT “FIT”

> Faculty

> Ranking

> Accreditation

> Mission and Specialty

> General Environment

> Cost

cc: GotCredit - https://www.flickr.com/photos/30576334@N05

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION> Student loans (Questions to ask

oneself BEFORE borrowing)

> Grants (ex. TEACH Grant, Federal Pell Grant)

> Assistantships (ex. research, teaching)

> Tuition waivers/reduction (ex. Double Husky)

> Employer tuition remission

> App fee waivers

> Visitation reimbursement

> Work study

> Work! (part time, on/off campus)

> Scholarships and Fellowships

THE APPLICATION> Application deadlines

> Standardized testing (GRE, MAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT,

TOEFL)

> Transcripts (G.P.A.)

> Statement of purpose/personal statement

> Letters of recommendation

> Resume/portfolio

> Previous work/research experience

> Extracurricular activities

RESOURCES> Career Development> Writing Center> Admissions> Alumni Services> Student Financial Services> Advising> Library and Internet> Faculty> Alumni> Friends, Family, and Colleagues

OTHER GRAD SCHOOL RESOURCESLaw

http://www.northeastern.edu/careers/majors-careers/pre-law-advising/

https://officialguide.lsac.org/release/OfficialGuide_Default.aspx

NEU School of Law

http://www.northeastern.edu/law/

Other Grad School Program Lookup

http://www.petersons.com/

http://www.gradschools.com/

http://www.princetonreview.com/graduate-school.aspx

NEU MBA Program

http://www.damore-mckim.northeastern.edu/en/academic-programs/graduate-pro

grams/mba-career-center/

OTHER GRAD SCHOOL RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Forums

http://www.gradview.com/index.jsp

Rankings

http://www.vault.com/graddegree/school/schoolsurveylists.jsp?ch)id=351&pt=2&

gclib=CL

Financial Aid

https://fafsa.ed.gov/

http://www.northeastern.edu/fellowships/

General Grad School Advice

http://gradschool.about.com/od/choosingaprogram/a/What-You-Should-Know-A

bout-A-Graduate-Program-Before-Applying.htm

Upcoming Events of Interest• (NEU) LSAT Strategy Workshop, Wednesday, November 2…2• (NEU) SheLEADS – Communication Tips for Women, Wednesday, November 2…4pm• (NEU) Juniors/Seniors Focus on Full time Job Search: Straight from the Recruiter's Mouth Event Wednesday, November 2…5:30

• LOTS of other NEU Career Development Workshops and Employer Events– Check out calendar! Register via NUCareers

• LSAC Forum – Friday, November 11– Free – Boston Marriot– http://www.lsac.org/2016forums/city/boston.html

• LSAT Preparation Accelerated Course – November 19 & 20• LSAT testing dates – Sat. 12/3, Sat. Feb. 4, also…June, Sept and Nov.• GRE offered often• Senior Career Fair – Friday, January 20, 2017• Career Fair – Thursday, February 2, 2017

Websites for Government Jobs• http://www.govtjobs.com

Cities, counties, states, executive search firms, advertising agencies and other government entities• https://www.usajobs.gov/• https://www.governmentjobs.com/

(same website for Federal government)

• https://www.usa.gov/government-jobs

Though most federal jobs are listed on USAJOBS, some agencies post jobs on their websites or elsewhere. If you’re interested in working for a particular agency, find its website through the A-Z Index of Government Agencies.

• gogovernment.org/(Partnership for Public Service(

• https://www.careersingovernment.com/State & local government job boards and online resources

• www.federaljobs.net/employme.htm Consolidated listing of federal jobs includes USAJOBS listings and related state, local government, and private sector jobs. Use the vacancies listed on site and agency recruiting site listings to find more jobs nationwide and overseas.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!