To make life more complicated, I am really doing some soul-searching to decide if grad school is the right choice for me, and all of the pondering is making me feel insane and (even more) analytical than usual. It all began when I recently read an old blog post that chilled me to the core. The writer discouraged graduate and Ph.D work preaching that it was only a means to rack up debt and further delay adulthood, giving the student little to no economic or life advantages. While she made a few valid points regarding the tendency to go to grad school because people don't know what else to do, this article was way off kilter--especially from someone who claims to be a career advice expert.
I took the argument rather personally, because I am in the thick of grad school applications, planning to start next fall after I return from my year of teaching in France. I have my bachelor's in French, and I want to continue my studies, focusing on nationalism and Maghrebi immigration. I am particularly interested in second and third generation immigrants who find themselves in a new category of cultural identification--not quite French and not quite Maghrebi. (More on this later).
Not only did reading this post make me more enthusiastic to attend graduate school, it sparked alarm and anger in me. In the wake of the economic landslide it seems that priorities have been jolted by fear. We are terrified of being unemployed, in debt, poor. (all reasonable fears, by the way) But another bi-product of the economic situation is a cheapened perspective on education. Since when was a college degree and a well-paying job a clear-cut transaction? College graduates are emerging into the work force, arrogant, falsely entitled and totally pissed off, because all of the sudden, their hard work "wasn't worth it." Am I the only one seeing the problem with this?
The author made a few valid points, because grad school is time consuming, expensive, and if teaching is the goal in mind, tenure-track positions are extremely hard to come by. But even from an economic standpoint, obstacles such as these shouldn't prevent one from pursuing their passions. Graduate school isn't for everyone, but those who wish to further their education should not be discouraged by bitter critics.
I love reading every word you write. I have been feeling the same way you have been because of my lack of job out of college. I feel like we share the same views on just about everything (including food) and its nice to see my own thoughts written by someone else who is thinking the same thing. I love all of your links you post in your blogs and I hope you keep writing while in France. I can't wait to see you in September.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is really encouraging to get feedback, and to know that people feel the same way about the job/school/money situation. It is a challenge to still appreciate the value of education when it hasn't handed you the career you want.
ReplyDeleteHi baby girl, I went through the same thing when I was deciding. The important factor is opportunity cost, not actual cost. You will surely miss out on having an income and a "real job" while in grad school. As for actual cost, it's true that you will probably rack up some debt just from trying to live while in grad school, but funding is available. The best programs are the ones that pay your tuition and hire you (even if it's really little). The bottom line is if you love to teach or research, it's a must. If you're not sure, grad school is a bad place to find yourself :) Love you and keep up the good work with your writing.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth! I am glad that you mentioned opportunity cost---an issue many people overlook when deciding if grad school is right for them. I do love to teach and research, and I have specific interests that seem widely untapped in French academics. That being said, I want to make the decision to go mindfully, not just to buy myself more time (a tendency I have). Thanks for reading!!
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