We welcome your comments and feedback to articles in the Idealist.org Public Service Graduate Education Resource Center (http://www.idealist.org/gradschools) discussing this topic! Please also feel free to share your related experiences here~

If you aren't sure about grad school quite yet, consider doing a term of service. Many service corps programs such as Peace Corps, Teach For America, and AmeriCorps offer educational benefits.

Read more in the Idealist.org Guide to Nonprofit Careers, www.idealist.org/careerguide. The chapter on making your candidacy stronger for a job search certainly applies to a grad school application as well. Within the chapter is a two-page table comparing some of the most famous term-of-service programs, including information about the educational benefits the programs offer.

For example, two such educational benefits offered by Peace Corps include Masters International and Fellows USA and are options to consider. Get grad school credit and financial consideration for Peace Corps service.

Listen to the newest Idealist.org Public Service Careers Podcast "Peace Corps & Grad School: Eileen Conoboy" to hear about how Peace Corps service can also lead to support your graduate education aspirations. Go to www.idealist.org/podcast or search for us on iTunes.

Good day Amy,

I have been trying to have my graduate education in public health / releif and disaster management programs and it seems the opportunities are not just there. I would like to know how can I go about getting such offer of opportunities to enable me that education that will assist me in serving humanity better?

Olufemi

Maybe finding a certification for something might help as an alternative.


www.clarkhilfitness.com

Hi Olufemi,
Have you had a chance to check out our new public service graduate education resource center (PSGERC)? There are a lot of articles there that can help you to think through many issues around pursuing a graduate education. Definitely check out the section on informational interviews , which are a great way to figure out what other opportunities may be available for you in public health in your area from others who are doing what you want to do. Currently PSGERC is much more US-centric in its topics but we will be expanding it for individuals from other countries and interested in international study.

If you're looking for more general info about public health degrees, check out the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) at www.asph.org.

And of course, you can always search our website for volunteer opportunities, organizations and individuals with whom to connect. These are other ways to find available alternatives or opportunities for developing your skills in public health.

Best,
Jung
Graduate Education Communications Coordinator
AWB/Idealist.org

SOUNDS GREAT

It does sound good.. I am thinking of applying to do a Certificate in Non-Profit management in the future and am wondering if anyone else has done this? If I move back to NC next year, the Duke program looks really good..

Anyone have experience with Cert programs?