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IT to Non-profit

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IT to Non-profit

by isa8183 » Fri Jul 02, 2010 6:28 pm
Hello,

I'm preparing the essays for top schools and I'm having a big trouble writing them. I believe I have a strong profile: female, international (WEurope), very high GMAT/GPA, international experience in several continents, strong extra curricular, etc.

However, I'm having very much trouble explaining my career goals post MBA.

In fact, although I got a Master in Computer Science and I have been working in IT in a big Investment Bank, what really motivates me is the non-profit world, social entrepreneurship, and so on. I also like IT but applied to something different than finances (for example). During college, I spend several years doing community service and I loved it.

- Could be this goal put on the line my application? I'm worried because I don't want Adcoms to ding me because they don't understand why I spent many years of my life studying/working in a field/industry that don't really passionate me.
- How would you make the link in the essays between my highly technical studies/work experience, and the fact of wanting to switch to non profit, social entrepreneurship, etc?.
- Is there a good way to use my IT experience in the non profit world?

Great thanks for your thoughts.

Isa
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by risingsaisha » Fri Jul 02, 2010 8:00 pm
Isa, if non-profit is what motivates I believe you should state that in your essay. all adcoms will tell you to identify what you really want to do and weave a story around it. i was pretty convinced reading your brief post and i'm sure the adcoms have read enough essays to ding you for the wrong reasons. just make sure you are consistent and genuine. go for it and good luck!

saisha
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Sun Jul 11, 2010 2:54 pm
Hello,

You need to do two key things to make your case for your goals (and I believe they should be doable, though it would depend on your unique situation): (1) clarify why you want to pursue nonprofit and how that interest evolved; and (2) clarify how you plan to achieve your goals, including how you will use your work experience and skill set.

For (1), it will depend on the specific goals question how much you should and/or must weave in your professional experience. Because I don't know why you have pursued your current business path, I can't really help you explain how that is related directly or indirectly to your goals. Many people change careers in their MBA studies, but in that case it will be important to show your motivation for your goals.

That said, I can imagine various ways to make the link, e.g., perhaps you pursued this path thinking you preferred IT but then after a while came to really miss nonprofit and decided to return to it; or perhaps you chose to do IT first to develop professional skills and know-how in the private sector. Of course, you should define and present your own reasons as appropriate.

Of course IT is important in nonprofit! And in many different ways too, from fundraising to logistics - almost every single aspect. I suggest researching and doing informational interviews with people in IT to really understand this point before doing your goals essays.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
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