Comments on: Calling All Academics!

By: Jim Milles

Jim Milles — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:34:09 +0000

Seriously–what about an information-related career that might enable you to achieve some of the same goals as teaching writing skills? Have you looked into Indiana University’s School of Informatics? They have a degree program in Human-Computer Interaction (http://informatics.iupui.edu/academics/hci/) that might be a good fit for you.

By: Kristjan Wager

Kristjan Wager — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:19:35 +0000

Not related to your education as such, but might I make a suggestion fo you putting up an Amazon wishlist of the (text)books you need if you start studyong again?

I am probably not alone in being willing to try to help you keep the debt down.

Alternatively, drop be an email at public@kristjanwager.dk if there is a book (or similar), that you have to get right now but can’t afford.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 18:13:36 +0000

I’ll echo what Leslie just said. I have an MA in English, Lauren, and I live in your community, and there are no full-time community college positions. They’re all adjunct, for about half of what I made as a TA. One exception — Ivy Tech has recently advertised “English Fellow” positions, for recent MAs or PhDs, but these are two-year max positions, and they require a five course teaching load plus other responsibilities. I say this not to necessarily discourage you from thinking about grad school, but to let you know what the job market looks like right now, if you’re thinking that an MA in English will open the door to more full-time teaching opportunities.

If you’d like to talk more about this, feel free to email me. I can also give you the scoop about our local univ. and what I learned from the MA, PhD process.

By: Kyso K

Kyso K — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 18:12:47 +0000

GRE - be prepared to kick its ass.

Seriously, I didn’t prepare at all for the verbal or the essay, and I did just fine. I can only assume you’d do even better than I did on those parts, since physics educations are not exactly renowned for bestowing thier students with excellent communication skills.

If you feel your math is a bit shakey, all you need is a GRE prep book from a library. It goes over the high school algebra and geometry you need. If you do OK on the quizzes in the book you’ll do fine on the exam.

But you’ve been out of school for a few years, so no one cares about your scores. As long as you do average or a bit better they won’t glance twice at them. Play up your experience and be somewhat aggressive about getting them to interview and love you. Just fill out the applications and then give them a call and let them know why they need you. Treat it like a job search.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:37:32 +0000

Something to be aware of if you want to end up teaching at a community college is that many of them are now hiring people as adjuncts only so it’s not a living wage. I know a fair number of people who teach at several schools to cobble together a living because no one will hire them full time. A disproportionate number of them are women - which certainly doesn’t pass the smell test but I haven’t seen anyone fight it successfully.

If you decide to go the library science route I’d recommend the University of Michigan. I know very little about the school of ed here.

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:11:31 +0000

In terms of the GRE, i don’t know if they still offer a written test, but if they do, i’d go for that. If you take it on the computer be sure to practice it that way, the test taking skills are very different.

In terms of schools, I am just finishing up a Ph.D. at Wayne State University, which is in Detroit. My degree is in literature, but the composition/rhetoric program is very strong. There is a huge emphasis on technology - all the freshman composition classes, which graduate students teach, have a computer component. The faculty have blogs. If you want to know more about it, feel free to email me.

I love Judith Butler too.

By: Nymphalidae

Nymphalidae — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 01:28:25 +0000

This is how it works in entomology: The GRE is fairly unimportant. Your GPA is fairly unimportant. Past research experience, letters of recommendation, your undergraduate school’s reputation, and your connections are important. You don’t apply to graduate programs, you apply to professors. Most programs only require a 3.0 and an average GRE score, but those are only a formality - you can get in with less if you find a professor who really wants you. Find professors whose research you are interested in, then email them. If you have connections, use them. The reason you do this is because you need money to support you through school. Never, ever go into a program where there is no money specifically set aside for your project. And you don’t get into a Ph.D program without a Masters degree unless you’re the best thing since sliced bread.

By: Krista

Krista — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:24:39 +0000

Re the average time to complete a Humanities PhD: Most reputable Rhet Departments work to prevent this sort of thing by only funding you for 5-7 years. It’s completely reasonable to complete a MA in 2 and a PhD in 4-5.

By: andrea

andrea — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:10:31 +0000

I have no tips on the GRE, as I took it over a decade ago, I think it’s changed, and I didn’t prepare.

On the grad school front, I agree with those who recommend finding out if you need a PhD to do what you want. Beyond that, think about what *kind* of PhD you want/need. If your goal is CC teaching, you do not need to be in a top 5 or top 10 program, and it may not prepare you as well as a lower-tier program. Programs that are lower on the food chain can still be quite good, with great faculty, and possibly more respect for your career choices. If, on the other hand, you want to, or think you might, want to end up at a research university, then by all means shoot for the most prestigious program you can.

I also concur with those who recommend considering your personal needs along with that. That includes $$, and location, and style. You also might want to consider child care options — is there student child care? That would say something both about how the program may fit your needs, and also their respect for students with children. Programs vary widely in approach. Some hand-hold more, some are sink or swim, etc. Where you’d do best depends on your personality and style. The more you can figure out some of these dynamics before you accept an offer, the happier you’re likely to be in the long run.

Be wary though of focusing too much on faculty. Faculty leave. Program strengths, sure, look at them, but do not go to a school based on one or two faculty members. They may leave, they may have no interest in you, you may discover they are awful people to work with.

By: Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:53:23 +0000

Since I took the GRE back in the fall of 1988, my advice is likely not as relevant as that from the younger folks. I remember three sections (verbal, math, analytical?) but no tmuch else.

But I absolutely agree on picking a reputable place that offers a solid funding package of some kind. Best of luck — it’s a great life, academe, for all of its frustrations.