Grad School Application

[littleflower+JMJ]

I'm opposite. I went straight through for my Master's and will be graduating soon. Then I will be working as a teacher . I'm loving this decision and you would not believe how many ppl recommend doing so too.

Getting a Master's shouldn't keep you from getting hired, but actually make you more valuable. Maybe its a state thing, but where I'm at its makes you more competitive in job applications. Nowadays, experience is not a necessity or obstacle, especially if your in a high-need area like me.

I would also try to take pro-active steps like taking any educator tests if possible. Some schools will work with you as you go after hiring you.

Oh, another thing. If you already been in the classroom and know what its like (understand the type of job your getting into) I would recommend an alternative certification program that usually shorter and faster to receiving teacher certification.

[ironmonk]

[quote name='isilzha' post='1351533' date='Aug 6 2007, 10:05 PM']I want to get my teaching certificate. So its not to get a graduate degree at this time because from what I hear there's no way I would get a job if I had my masters.[/quote]

Over the next 5-10 years there is going to be a huge shortage of management and executive level employees with all of the baby boomers leaving the workplace. Formal education is always good if it's a higher level than what you have. You would be able to get a job with a masters....

You don't have to put everything on your resume... it's not lying or wrong to omit things that might make an employer think that you are over qualified. Always have multiple versions of a resume... have each version target various positions. Have a few versions with the masters, and a few without. If you can get the masters, then get it... If you end up getting out of education or taking anthor route, a masters will go a long way in the business world... a BIG misconception about the business world is that you need business experience, nothing could be further from the truth... one needs to be smart, have an ability to connect w/people, and be able to solve problems (process, employee, business, etc...)... no matter where one goes, they have to learn how that business does business.

I've reviewed hundreds of resume's over the past 7 years, I have been in a room full of managers and execs going over resumes... have a few template resume's ready, tailor whichever one to the company and for the position you are going for... if you feel that with a masters it's over qualified, then omit the masters... once you get in the organization and are comfortable, hang the masters on your wall or add it to your resume for when you go for a promotion in the organization. Sometimes when people hire, they don't want to hire someone who will outshine them.

I start grad school this Saturday at St. Leo U.... two years every other weekend... and free Golf.


Basic Resume guidelines... try to keep it under two pages, only go into job detail about things that matter to the prospective job, if you did something once then you have experience doing it - most things can be winged and experience one place doesn't always help with another one... Have two formats of your resume: 1) bulleted for men 2) paragraph style for women... Most important, put the thing that you are most proud of at the top of your resume.


Good Luck & God Bless,
ironmonk