Did I get my masters too young?

Question

I'm 22 about to complete my MBA non profit leadership. My undergrad was social work and my goal is to work in operations management for a non profit. I have some management experience, however my age is often a red-flag for hiring managers. I worked really hard to gain experience while going through school and I'm getting a little discouraged hearing so many No's. Was it a mistake to get it so early?

Maggie B · Answer

Qualifications are one thing, and experience is quite another.  Even with an MBA, you may need to start at a position lower on the totem pole than where you'd like to be, and work your way up.

Anonymous · Answer

I also received my masters degree right after undergrad. For my field, it is a common practice for new masters grads to pursue something called administrative fellowships. They are typically one year in duration, and give the new grads that much sought after and varied experience in their field. Following this I stayed on at the organization where I was a fellow and was able to grow in the organization during my time there.

Since you are still in grad school, have you had a fellow classmate or a professor review your resume / cover letters? They can help you make sure you are job matching and that your experience and qualifications are being expressed clearly in your resume / cover letter. Or have you chatted with an advisor or professor about your job interests/ career path? Does your grad school host any job fairs? Consider taking advantage (if you haven't already) in resources available to you while you are still in school.

Another great resource is the person who supervised you while you were gaining experience during grad school. Are you interested in any position at this (or these) organization(s)? Have you spoken with this supervisor(s) about your interest in their organization (or if not their organization your desired job/career path)?

Have you become a member of any professional organizations for your field of interest? Does the professional organization offer any specific benefits/events geared toward new or soon to be grads? Are you networking through your professional organization?

Don't lose hope because you are getting 'No's.' Even people with 10+ years of experience go through many 'No's' when job hunting. Use each 'No' as an opportunity to improve yourself and your continued job search.

Best of luck to you in your job search and early congratulations on obtaining your MBA!

Kimberley Ferretti Hammett · Answer

Firstly, don't get discouraged! The job-hunt is a long process, especially when looking outside of entry-level positions. Keep putting yourself out there and researching ways to market yourself.
I'm curious what feedback you are receiving, have they actually told you your age is an issue? Under 40 may not be a protected class but age alone should not be discriminated against if you are meeting the criteria they are looking for. It may just be that you are up against candidates with much more experience. A lot of MBA programs actually prefer you work for a few years before coming back for your masters because they want students to have that business acumen. but that doesn't mean your path is the wrong one. Try understanding their real concerns. Maybe they worry you don't have enough real-world experience? Be sure to include challenges you've overcome and trends you've come across in your industry in your resume and interviews. Maybe they are concerned older subordinates might not feel you're a credible leader? Tell them about a time you got buy-in from more experienced colleagues. When you get turned down ask for specific feedback to understand what non-profits are generally looking for and ultimately hiring for your desired position. Stay confident in your knowledge but willing to learn more.
Again, keep going and reach out to your network. 80% of jobs are filled through networking! You will eventually find something great and know why the other things didn't work out. Best of luck!

Nirupama Raghavan · Answer

Out of curiosity, is it '22' that is a red flag for them or 'early 20's'?  If the former, why do they know your specific age?  How many years of experience are they looking for?

SYDNEY FERBER · Answer

I hear you and could imagine the challenges you may feel in your age being perceived as an obstacle. However, there are many ways to show that you have both the education skills and the leadership, management credentials on resume and in person. If you've ever held a position in your career that required ANY type of oversight, management, leadership it counts as relevant experience. Babysitting could be shown as entrepreneurship and care - if you ever handled finance or budgets in any capacity, that too can help show your abilities. I have experience in operations if you want to connect offline and have me review anything!

Did I get my masters too young?

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