As a lot of you already know, I recently started pursuing my master’s degree in Nonprofit Management. If you want more background on why I chose to take the plunge, check out my blog post here.

Two terms in and life is GOOD. I have straight A+s (it’s wild) and I’m learning a ton. The exciting part about the program I chose is that it ties directly into everything I am doing in my career as well as the work that I am doing for the various nonprofits that I support. I find that being able to immediately implement what I’m learning into real life helps solidify the concepts for me. It might sound corny, but it’s really rewarding.

Ya’ll have asked me a ton of questions about my program and grad school in general, so I’m sharing all my answers, tips, and tricks below! Remember, everyone is different so what works for one person might not work for another. The most important thing to remember when going to college or starting grad work is that you are poised at the beginning of an experience that will be whatever you make. If you want to learn, you’re going to learn. If you want to just slide by and get the piece of paper, that’s what’s going to happen. My advice? Take control, learn the most, get excited, fuel your passions, and build your dreams. Always in all ways. Ok, let’s dive into this!

What is your major? How did you choose it?

I am getting my master’s degree in nonprofit management. In undergrad, I got my degree in communication/public relations with a minor in women’s studies and another minor in business administration. When I first started look at master’s programs, I initially was thinking that I would pursue a degree in general communication. After doing some initial research into some programs that I thought I would be interested in, I realized that a general communication degree wouldn’t really make the most sense. I LOVED the classes that were charted for the programs that I was looking into, but it just didn’t seem like the content was going to relevant to or helpful in my career. I have always worked in jobs for nonprofits, so when I found the nonprofit management program through Drexel, I was extremely excited. Not only would I get to be a Drexel alumna for a second time, but the program curriculum was a great fit for my current career and would be so helpful in providing additional context for my work. Mind you, to get to this point where I knew that I wanted to study nonprofit management, I did a lot of research into various programs online and then would call in to speak with program directors as well. It is SO important to have a clear idea of what the program curriculum will include and the time commitment it will require. It’s so important to have a list of questions put together so that you can easily compare programs.

Another thing to remember – whether you’re paying $5,000 a year for your program or $50,000 a year for your program, you need to know that it will provide you with an education worth the price you are paying. Make sure it is geared towards the career that you want and that it will actually give you a greater context or breadth of knowledge than you had before.

What’s the application process like?

The application process feels pretty similar to the process for undergrad, to be honest. Here are some pieces to the process that stick out to me:

• Your resume is important, so make sure you have it updated and that you’ve gone over it for spelling or any other errors.
• Your personal statement should be short, focused, and compelling. At this point in your life, you will likely have a lot to write about, so make sure that you really refine the point you are trying to make. One of my friends helped me to edit and fine-tune my statement, and I absolutely recommend getting a second set of eyes on yours as well!
• You will likely need to provide a few letters of recommendation, so be purposeful about who you ask. I chose to ask a former Drexel professor as well as a current colleague. Both of these people could best speak to my work ethic as well as to the fact that this program would be a great learning experience that would help to further my career.

Are you getting financial aid?

When it comes to financial aid, there are very few options when it comes to getting your master’s degree. There are not a lot of scholarships available to students pursuing master’s degrees, however the institution that you are applying to might have their own scholarship awards to offer. I applied for financial aid, which was a really important piece since I would not be paying out of pocket for the program. I also asked for tuition assistance from my employer. This is another reason why you should try to pursue a degree related to your career since they will be more apt to provide assistance if they think that the education will help you do even better at your job. I also wrote essays to apply for all of the scholarships offered by Drexel through the graduate studies program. You really have to stay on top of these opportunities and make sure that you write and edit your essays well, turn things in on time, and follow all of the requirements. I was really lucky to receive one of the awards, so that was awesome!

Is grad school harder than undergrad?

This is a tricky question. I do not think that the work in my program is more difficult than the work in undergrad, but I do think the timing makes the work a little bit more difficult. In undergrad, your sole purpose is to work hard, learn a lot, and get good grades. Working a full time job, volunteering in my community, and getting my master’s degree is a lot to juggle. So, even though the actual work isn’t more difficult, balancing it along with everything else in life can certainly be stressful. This is why it is so important to go into things with your eyes wide open and understand what will be expected of you. Andrew and I talked about the program before I started because it was important to acknowledge that my schedule would start to look a LOT different. But, with hard work, determination, and a lot of communication, it is definitely doable.

How many classes do you take each semester?

I take two classes per semester and my program is fully online, but I can go to campus and meet with my professors if I want to or have any questions. Drexel is a year-round school schedule, so there is no summer break and it is always go-go-go! Since I am a Drexel alumna, I’m familiar with this structure and I prefer it, especially because I’ll be through the program and done by the fall of 2020 since it is just two years long. Woo hoo!

Was it hard to get back into school after not being in it for a while?

Yes. Yes, absolutely. Homework seemed like such a foreign concept when I first started the program. I just couldn’t stay on top of the work and felt like I was always cramming the work in and feeling like a crazy person. It was a rocky start, so there was definitely a learning curve to getting back into the homework scene. I think what made the transition so hard was that I am used to being able to make my own plans and then all of a sudden I was at the mercy of the syllabi that I needed to attend to.

My best advice: make it fun, be diligent, don’t slack off. I went out and bought myself school supplies, which is even more fun now than it used to be. The supplies that they sell these days are just great! I also worked really hard to prioritize my schoolwork (right now is a terrible example because I am writing this post instead of working on my discussion board posts, oops!). I missed a bunch of get togethers with friends or fun opportunities just because I knew that I needed to get the work done. But diligent with your work and give it the time and attention that it deserves. Never slack off! Every term so far, I’ve put a ton of work into my assignments and worked my best not to miss a beat. All the hard work has paid off with A. a lot of learning! and B. extra credit and all A+ grades – YAY ME!

Do you have a thesis?

Nope. I don’t. This might sound crazy, but I haven’t looked too heavily into the requirements or directions for a culminating project for the program. I couldn’t tell you right now whether or not I even have to write a thesis paper for this program at all! I know it sounds very reckless, but I don’t want to look too far ahead because I just want to focus on the work in front of me right now and deal with anything else later when I get to that point.

So, how are you doing now?

I’m doing great! This term is a little more difficult because I am taking an accounting class and that is totally not my area of expertise, but I am working through things and really excited to be learning a whole new topic that I have zero prior knowledge of. I can’t believe I’m already almost done my first year in the program, it truly is flying by! If you are considering getting your master’s, I would absolutely encourage you to go for it. You are worth it, and the best investment you can make is an investment in yourself. Education is so powerful, and if you have the opportunity to learn more and further your career or pursue a passion of yours, DO IT!

As always, message me or comment with questions! Or, you can always reach me on Instagram! xx