my undergrad is in computer science, but i took minimum programming courses…i had a heavy focus on human computer interaction and moulded my course selection in a way that it was maximally non techie…all my electives were creative writing, history, south asian affairs, religion, feminist studies and middle eastern languages…and so were my extra curriculars…my independent study during senior year was also in religious studies…
my full time work experience of abt a yr is in e-learning
so now i want to do a grad school program which incorporates some of these things…i could go for different combos of tech/business/education…also want that it be a good (well ranked) school
are there specific schools/programs in USA/Canada which you can recommend?
Irem, well getting a Masters or Ph.D for the heck of it isn’t good unless one is clear about it and has her/his heart set on that goal. So, I would suggest you take your time. I am also thinking abt applying to the grad school 'cuz I don’t see myself working in the NGO in the long run. I want to teach and for that I need to have a solid grounding in either International Law, International Trade( with a focus on South Asian regionalism), or Development( this would be problematic as I never had economics before)
You have an inkling towards social work and would like to work with an NGO. Thats not a problem in Pakistan, particularly with your credentials. Atleast a very ordinary joe shamo person like me can induct you somewhere.
Religious studies or Comparative Religious fundamentalism or seminars are not very easy. I would say for that you need,
a) A very open mind and unbiased approach and … by reading your posts I think you still need to work on that. ( I apologize if you think thats not the case).
As for your degree in Computer Science is concerned, it will always be helpful. Pakistan is not that backward and in most of the jobs knowledge in computers or such skills are a must.
You can always opt for Sociology and specialize in South Asian or Middle Eastern region. You can take up any dimension.. development/religion/status of women. In short mould the program to suit your needs and requirements.
I am not too sure about Stanford but there are many universities in US that have such concentrations. My dear, we do our Masters in 4 years, where as in U.S., you end up getting your bachelors degree in 4 years. May I suggest you look up for the difference. So, I don’t think a Masters degree in PAkistan is more then enough unless one is a grad of IBA or LUMS. ( atleast they have strong and reputable programs).
Grad school is a big commitment in time and money. Here in the US, even for residents, Masters classes are sometimes three times the cost of undergrad classes. Maybe there is an academic advisor you could speak with who could help steer you in the right direction?
Public Policy or public adminstration type of area may be good for you. explre it a little bit, while u are in US go talk to some ppl at Berkeley for their programs, I think you would like it.
If you are even the least bit interested in Human computer interaction then the only place to head to would be the MIT's Media Lab. Its the best at that in the world.
For Policy I would suggest RAND as a starting point.
speaking from a research perspective..your degree work would give you a very solid base in interactive virtual agents.
there is a massive amount of HCI involved in ..for instance instructional agents..that can relate with humans emotionally..intellectually.. in order to maximise the learning of students.
University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies specialises in immersive simulations with interactive virtual agents, virtual scenarios..that use techniques from HCI, psychology.. artificial intelligence ..amongst other things..to tutor students.
media.mit...Justine Cassell is someone who is also specialising in using virtual agents to relate with humans..in order to establish factors like trust..
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*Originally posted by hmcq: *
If you are even the least bit interested in Human computer interaction then the only place to head to would be the MIT's Media Lab. Its the best at that in the world.
For Policy I would suggest RAND as a starting point.
[/QUOTE]
actually...call me biased...but i think research work at ICT is much more sophisticated that whats going on right now in media.mit.
considering the number of top line scientists, professional articles, prestige, the business value of thier ventures and the highly acclaimed research they have been doing into AI, I would really doubt that.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by hmcq: *
considering the number of top line scientists, professional articles, prestige, the business value of thier ventures and the highly acclaimed research they have been doing into AI, I would really doubt that.
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considering that usc is only behind cmu in robotics/ai in terms of scientists/publications/funding and cmu's area of expertise is robotics, i think your doubt isnt very well grounded.
I think working has given me direction, and focus. One of my bhai's graduated and started working, and in that time he realized the importance of getting back to school and saw that his interests lied in medicine and I believe now that hes worked, he has a better appreciation for school. Same goes for me.
Its your decision in the end, and I dont know what criteria Pakistan has, but I think either way, its good to work if even for 6 months and then consider applying for a Masters you're dedicated to do.
Friend of mine did Masters just because everyone else was doing it, and now she says it was a complete waste of time and she should have worked first, to get an understanding of what she wanted to do with herself. (She wants to do teaching but got her Masters in computing field.) Other friends of mine feel the same.
Think about it, write down all your options, get suggestions from others in fields you are interested in, talk to professors, and make du'aa as well. smile
Munni thats a cool suggestion…I will do that…thanks
I did not get any PM from you…Last week, I got a notification that you tried to PM me but my inbox was full…so I PM’ed you back telling you that I had cleaned my inbox but I didn’t get a PM from you after that…I just PM’ed you again as well right now…khayr, kya baat thee?
Spock, I am considering that too now but I’m applying to other schools too
ravage, hmcq, thanks for the info about HCI schools I don’t want to do pure HCI in grad school. In fact right now I would choose management over HCI…
Islamabad thanks for the sugestion I think that would be too technical for me though, I am looking to do something less technical for grad school…hmmm…
Fraudz, that’s a great suggestion, thanks. I did consider that but I would like to go into that with experience. I think going into such a program with some related work experience would make it a much more productive experience than going into it for example next year…
HumTum thanks a lot for those links, I will definitely look into them… As for MBA, all good MBA schools require work experience of atleast 2-3 years which I don’t have right now…thanks again for the links!
anahndi thanks for the reply. I did speak to people but I’m still a bit confused…besides everyone gives advice from their own perspective but in the end I am the one who needs to make decisions based on my options and situation which I only know best. I guess I should seriously just give the whole matter some detailed thought and then make some decisions and stick to them…
you’re right about grad school being a commitment.
Minerva, thanks so much for your detailed response and good wishes Are you working in an NGO in Pakistan right now? I understand what you are saying. For the comparative religion bit, you are perhaps right I do not want to do religious studies from a comparative religions perspective though, though that would be a part of it. There is a reason actually I was actually considering religious studies, my undergrad school just received a huge grant for an Islamic Studies program, and I wanted to be involved in that scene. Plus, I have taken some religious studies classes before and felt I could bring perspectives and diversity into the program which would be unique.
I am a totally confused person right now. I looked at Sociology but it seems too up in the air and fuzzy, no substance in the subject material. Coming from Computer Science to Sociology I guess I am bound to feel that though.
I need to clearly think about a lot of issues and make decisions soon I guess…
] Programs, if that helps you!
