Academic vs Corporate

[DCJenn]

Have you considered the financial side of social services? Esp with a governmental agency? Hello evenings, weekends and all holidays, not to mention excellent gov't benefits and retirement.

Even regular social services- no one bats an eye when people take vacation or actually leave at the end of the day. and when you're sick you're actually supposed to stay home so as to not infect your colleagues and the clients...

Jenn

Oh, didn't know that about PA. But if you live in Philly proper, would it be an hour to Jersey?

Sorry to be so negative about grad school in the liberal arts. A long time ago (I think when you were thinking of different educational options) I typed a long post -- which the computer ate. I'm thinking it was literally two years ago!

Anyway, the cliff notes version would be this (based on my own experience). Whatever you do, get full funding from the start in your chosen program. Calculate the opportunity costs (such as the time and resources you'll be forgoing by selecting / attending your program). Have a couple of plans for what you would do if you stopped at the master's level. Be realistic about the sacrifices necessary to get the terminal degree (PhD especially) and what would be out there for you in terms of job opportunities after all of that struggle.

And (as illustrated by other posts above) don't expect the process to be low-stress or collegial.

[Vishenka69]

Jenn, Kevin, thanks for the ideas and suggestions. I like the gov't angle but need to figure out where all the offices are. Anyone know the capital of PA? We won't be that close to Philly, as DH's hospital is almost an hour away.

The reason I am considering PhD is that in a few years, if/when DH makes partner we will no longer need my income. He feels extremely guilty that I've worked at misreable jobs during med school and residency and wants me to do something I like regardless of how much it pays. I'm not sure I'll be good at the SAH gig, so I'm exploring other options. I guess for me PhD would be more of a hobby than a career. I'd be cool teaching one seminar without the tenure track.

[DCJenn]

Harrisburg, PA. (Really cute little city, FYI)

Jenn

The capital of PA is Harrisburg. But there are governmental entities around the state and other ways of getting "state" benefits at a job i.e. working at a state university.

PhD is a long, hard road to take for a hobby. I know you're probably joking a little when you refer to it as that....right?

I'm no expert in the field you're considering (if indeed it is Russian language / lit.)? But I think it's safe to say it's probably not a "growth" field in terms of teaching positions - tenure or non-tenure.

If it's anything like many other liberal arts fields, there will be no shortage of people who have spent 8 or so years of their lives (after college) getting a PhD from high-profile academic institutions who won't find tenure-track jobs and will be teaching at community colleges or as instructors at schools that bear no resemblance to the institutions which they themselves have attended.

[Vishenka69]

The capital of PA is Harrisburg. But there are governmental entities around the state and other ways of getting "state" benefits at a job i.e. working at a state university.

PhD is a long, hard road to take for a hobby. I know you're probably joking a little when you refer to it as that....right?

I'm no expert in the field you're considering (if indeed it is Russian language / lit.)? But I think it's safe to say it's probably not a "growth" field in terms of teaching positions - tenure or non-tenure.

If it's anything like many other liberal arts fields, there will be no shortage of people who have spent 8 or so years of their lives (after college) getting a PhD from high-profile academic institutions who won't find tenure-track jobs and will be teaching at community colleges or as instructors at schools that bear no resemblance to the institutions which they themselves have attended.

Kevin, I think you really hit the nail on the head. I am projecting my undergrad experience to the future program. I don't know why I didn't think that Bryn Mawr or whatever school I might end up teaching in will be completely different than Barnard/Columbia. I had a blast doing Russian Lit undergrad, I loved my professors and the department has actually been growing over the past few years. But obviously I can't expect all schools to be like that.

[Meenah]

Where in Pa will you be?

[Vishenka69]

In Lehigh Valley, Allentown vicinity. We haven't picked a specific town yet, will depend on/if I find a job. But I don't want to be more than 30 minutes from Allentown.

[alison]

Vishenka! Did I miss the official announcement of your move?


Congratulations!

[Vishenka69]

Alison, thanks. I didn't make any official announcements. While DH signed, we didn't get our copy back yet and he's still in process for PA license and hospital priveleges. With our recent problems, I don't want to celebrate prematurely. Planning helps me think in the positive direction though.

[alison]

Alison, thanks. I didn't make any official announcements. While DH signed, we didn't get our copy back yet and he's still in process for PA license and hospital priveleges. With our recent problems, I don't want to celebrate prematurely. Planning helps me think in the positive direction though.

I completely understand. I hope you hear back soon!