Higher Education Administration

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I'm currently studying Agricultural Business at a mediocre SUNY school. I'm involved with a lot of extracurriculars, my GPA is 3.6 or something around there, and I'm also an RA.</p>

<p>I've never really had a plan for what I was going to do after college, and after spending three years in school I'm still quite lost as to what to do, I have a lot of interests, so to just choose ONE job, or ONE career path is daunting and not something that I'm really interested in doing.</p>

<p>What I HAVE learned, is that I really enjoy higher education, and more specifically, I love (as of right now, who knows what another year will do) residential life. My plan right now, is to apply, and hopefully attain, an RD position somewhere. My thought is, that the positions are well paid (considering they are live in, benefits, etc. + salary), and many universities offer to pay for graduate courses (and if my love of higher education becomes a passion, a masters degree is necessary... and I've always wanted a masters degree in something)</p>

<p>I guess my question is, would it be more wise for me to get a master's degree (hopefully at a more prestigious school than I went to for undergrad), then attain an RD post, that is theoretically more salary and responsibilities, or get an RD and see how it goes, maybe get a masters degree going part-time, at a mediocre school wherever my position ends up being.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Anyone!? Bumppp!</p>

3

<p>This is really something that only you can answer. Its going to be tough competing with other applicants who may have master’s degrees. But if your employer will pay for a degree, then that is something to consider.</p>

4

<p>Being an RA myself, most of my area coordinators are currently working on a masters degree in a variety of fields. I think it would be a good idea to apply for positions and fine out about the benefits for tuition. Of course, if you can’t get a position doing your masters first would be a good option. The work experience in the field is going to be very useful in future job hunts, perhaps more so than in other fields. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Nearly all of the RDs (area coordinators) got jobs at my university with just residential life experience/student life experience. There are a few going towards their masters, but there are only two positions (of 10 on campus) that require masters.</p>

<p>I think I’ll apply for several RD jobs next spring and see what happens… if I don’t get a job, I’ll just try for my masters and go from there. :)</p>

<p>Thank you everyone!</p>