Do I Need a Graduate's Degree?

Dear Experts, I am debating between two graduate degrees in my effort to enter the international development field after completion. I could finish this Fall with a Nonprofit Management degree or I could finish in Spring with an MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Further complicating this decision is my interest in government and for profit work. While I intend on becoming involved in organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, CARE and USAID, employment with organizations such as the US State Department or even a private company that benefits the greater good. Additionally I am truly struggling enjoying my time in school, I dread the idea of more accounting classes. One of my undergraduate degrees is International Studies and I have management experience in a foreign country. Is this enough for a 25 year old with two years of professional work experience? Seemingly all the jobs in this field that allow for non-locals to apply require graduate degrees if not immediately then eventually. My ambitions include leading organizations and making significant changes in my organization so a graduate degree or two will be needed, correct? I also am considering pursuing an additional degree after graduation from either of my current possible programs. That degree would likely be an online based Master's in International Relations or a similar degree. Here is how our T.A.P. experts answered this question:Q#251 MBA + int'l work exper very helpful 4 int'l non-profit wk; get internship 4 exper & 2 build network. (@juliaerickson) Q#251 You're so close to completing the MBA; may as well go for it. Combo w/ NPMgmt cert. will benefit longterm goal. (@sweetcareers) Q#251 I would stick with the MBA over the NFP Management. It's much more versatile in case you change your career path later. (@gradversity) Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.

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