Should I get a master’s to commission as a PAO?

[solarflare1014]

I apologize if I’m not posting this in the right spot—I’m new to this forum and just looking for some help. I am a college undergrad graduating in May and right now, my only career goal is to become a PAO someday. I know that it’s incredibly competitive, so I’m wondering if I should jump right into my master’s after undergrad. Right now, I’m majoring in journalism/mass communication with a 3.92 GPA and I’ll also be getting honors in the major (I’m also majoring in economics—honors in that major too, as well as university honors—and double minoring in Spanish and translation, but those are less relevant). When I graduate, I’ll have a year’s experience working as a TV reporter, a year’s experience being a PR and comms/media intern and three year’s experience being an editor/copyeditor/secretary for a literary journal (I also have professional experience outside of those things—serving, sales, etc., but again, not so relevant). Basically, I’ve been working hard throughout undergrad but everything I’ve read leads me to believe it won’t be enough on its own. Should I pursue my master’s?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

PAO is one of those designators that want direct relevant experience, you have some of that, but even so they nearly always pick those who are current or prior enlisted from the PAO field (MC's). It is worth a shot but just be aware how of a long shot it is, and have you looked at the PA or talked to an OR?

The relevant experience is much more important than a Master's degree.

 

[AllAmerican75]

I apologize if I’m not posting this in the right spot—I’m new to this forum and just looking for some help. I am a college undergrad graduating in May and right now, my only career goal is to become a PAO someday. I know that it’s incredibly competitive, so I’m wondering if I should jump right into my master’s after undergrad. Right now, I’m majoring in journalism/mass communication with a 3.92 GPA and I’ll also be getting honors in the major (I’m also majoring in economics—honors in that major too, as well as university honors—and double minoring in Spanish and translation, but those are less relevant). When I graduate, I’ll have a year’s experience working as a TV reporter, a year’s experience being a PR and comms/media intern and three year’s experience being an editor/copyeditor/secretary for a literary journal (I also have professional experience outside of those things—serving, sales, etc., but again, not so relevant). Basically, I’ve been working hard throughout undergrad but everything I’ve read leads me to believe it won’t be enough on its own. Should I pursue my master’s?

Are you willing to go into the Navy as another designator to then become a PAO? Are you willing to enlist to become a PAO? As @exNavyOffRec said, the Navy cares far more about your real world experience than it does a Masters. That means that you either need to be doing media and public relations as enlisted as a Mass Communications Specialist or you need to come in as an officer and try to lateral transfer into the community. That may mean coming in as a SWO or some other URL officer and applying to the lat transfer board multiple times. I've seen it done, but it's not a direct line or guaranteed.

 

[DanMa1156]

@solarflare1014 - apply and make them tell you know. I recently worked with a PAO with a very similar background as yours in terms of having some civilian equivalent experience working in the news and PR.

 

[kaldor2c7]

The ROI is much better in securing a civilian equivalent job, and baking the experience into your resume and is far more strategic than getting a Masters degree. Because in the end you’ll just be a candidate w a masters degree, in debt, and still lacking the meat and potatoes the PAO community desires in their applicants. More than one way to skin a cat.

 

[number9]

In my ODS class there was a prior-enlisted PAO (I imagine the rate is "MC"?) as well as a non-prior who is a regional news anchor on TV.

I actually went to undergrad with a guy who enlisted in the Marines, got deployed, got out, and commissioned as a PAO in the Navy. It is weird to see a PAO with a bunch of medals including the Combat Action Ribbon...