Why Working Before Grad School Was the Right Choice for Me

When I graduated from The City College of New York in 2021, I knew two things with absolute clarity: I wanted a career in international affairs, and I eventually wanted to pursue a master’s degree. I even started drafting graduate school applications during undergrad. But when it came time to submit them, I realized something important—I didn’t yet have a clear funding plan, and I wanted more full-time experience before committing to such a significant investment of time and energy.

So I decided to work first. And looking back, it was one of the best choices I made for myself.

In my first role after college, I worked on a congressional campaign, gaining hands-on experience with political organizing and community outreach. Shortly after, I joined Amnesty International USA, where I spent over two and a half years strengthening national human rights leadership programs, building advocacy infrastructure, and helping mobilize communities across the country. These roles grounded me, sharpened my interests, and gave me an authentic understanding of what day-to-day work in international affairs really looks like.

During my time at Amnesty, I reached a natural pause point in my career. I wanted to transition into a new role that would allow me to grow in different ways—but the opportunities available at that moment weren’t aligned with the direction I hoped to move toward. While the job didn’t require a master’s degree, I knew that earning one would open doors for the next stage of my career and help me access roles that better matched the impact I wanted to make.

Taking time off also gave me space to explore leadership opportunities outside of my full-time job. I coached Muslim women organizers through MALIKAH, served on the Board of Directors, and became an appointed advisor to the NYC Mayor’s Office on issues impacting women and girls. These experiences deepened my commitment to public service and reaffirmed that this field wasn’t just an interest—it was my long-term path. 

By the time I applied to SIPA, I had clarity, direction, and confidence. I wasn’t using graduate school to pivot careers; I was using it to deepen expertise in a field I had already spent years working in. Grad school is a major investment of time, money, and energy—and giving myself those years ensured I was making the decision intentionally, not out of pressure or uncertainty.

For anyone questioning whether to go straight through or take time off, here’s what I learned: there is no perfect timeline. Working first doesn’t put you behind. In many ways, it prepares you to get the absolute most out of your graduate experience. For me, those three years weren’t a detour—they were the foundation that made me ready.