Comments | applyingtograd: Which of these two options is better?

janeng in applyingtograd

Which of these two options is better?

Apr 13, 2009 18:02

I see my fall semester being one of these two situations, and I would like feedback as to what others think is the more appealing choice. I'm listing "positives" of each, but some things are just neutral details, or perhaps a con ( Read more... )

decision, deciding, weighing options

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roseofjuly April 14 2009, 01:47:15 UTC

I think you're going to get quite a few people biased towards Option B because of the nature of academia. True, you will be way more immersed in academia if you do Option B, so if your goal is to get a Ph.D in English literature (Not necessarily a good idea, but it's a possibility) and teach English lit even at the community college level -- or if you are unsure and want to leave your options open -- then Option B may be the best way for you to go. Teachers are always in demand and I don't think you'll have a hard time finding another teaching gig if you want want, but academia is a bit harder to break into without the right experiences early on ( ... )

freddie April 14 2009, 01:56:02 UTC

My question, regarding the teacher's salary, is what the actual net difference will be, considering she is paying for tuition if she takes Option A. If you make $80,000 grand in the two years working as a teacher, but pays $60,000 of it into tuition, it's not that great a break financially.

But yeah, it really depends on the endgame-- PhD, with the intent of getting a job in the academy, or not?

fgf janeng April 14 2009, 01:58:55 UTC

Thanks. I really appreciate your feedback and opinion. Yeah, I realize people are biased toward academia, but I don't blame them, really. Even I'm biased toward academia; hence, my conflicting feelings about the options. I don't want to sell myself short by not going into academia (or even just enjoying it for a couple more years ( ... )

Re: fgf solipsismsaves April 14 2009, 03:02:34 UTC

I teach high school full time AND am working on a degree full-time (that's 4 night classes!) It's doable, trust me. And one really lends to the other.

Re: fgf janeng April 14 2009, 03:15:21 UTC

Really? That's great. Now I'm really confused. Some people say they do it no problem. Others say it's hell that cannot be avoided no matter how organized you are. I'm not sure what to think. I will say that I do fall on the high end of the spectrum (as far as organization and time-management), but some claim that even the most organized person is still in for hell.
Anyway, you do give me hope, anyway, that it can be done.

Re: fgf janeng April 14 2009, 03:19:52 UTC

I've thought that too -- that being an English teacher by day and a English student by night are a great complement. What subject did you say you teach? Just curious...

Re: fgf solipsismsaves April 14 2009, 03:22:07 UTC

I designed the curriculum for and teach: Language and Composition, American Lit, British Lit, World Lit, AP Lit, and Contemporary Lit.

Re: fgf roseofjuly April 19 2009, 08:45:08 UTC

I don't think it's so much what you "are meant for" or "cut out for" but is honestly more about your wishes and desires and what you are willing to work for, and whether those wishes and desires match the soft skills and personality that you have. I've heard people say that if there's anything else you can imagine yourself doing besides academia, do that. I don't espouse that belief myself because I think not being able to imagine yourself doing anything else is a product of inexperience, not singular devotion; you can recognize that your skills could be well-played somewhere else and still really want to do something ( ... )

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