bkohn4

Seriously, take a year or two off. I graduated in 2011 and was heading straight for grad school, but was dissuaded by a professor at my undergrad school. She's one of the few honest professors I've met. She was realistic about the job market and told me straight up about it. I'm thankful for her guidance. I've taken time to tutor in writing at a local university and have since started a program getting my teaching license here in Ohio. I plan on reapplying after I get my licensure (it was my back-up for any problems getting a job following the Phd. Seems silly now, but I'm happy to be taking some kind of class, even if it's not History. I missed school after not being in it for a semester). Regardless, take a breather. Work for a while, even if it's in something basic. Get a feel for life away from school and if you're anything like me, you'll miss it and be eager to learn again. Good luck with everything!

Thank you so much for this. Up until about a month ago I was planning on pursuing a post bac certificate in Classics on route to an Ancient History PhD. I was pushed, pulled and prodded by professors and my parents to get a PhD but I just was too scared... too scared of the job market, the idea of going into debt so young, etc. I decided to teach high school at a local private school, but up until I read this post I felt as though I was letting so many people down. I know I'm making the right decision for myself. Grad school will still be there a few years from now. Thank you so much Cage!

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how typical it is for MA students in classical archaeology/history to receive TA positions. I'm taking a post-bac course in classical languages in the fall and hope to be at Michigan, Cincinnati, Bryn Mawr, or WashU for the fall of 2013. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice about TA-ing or even fellowships? I want to teach when it's all said and done but don't really know how to start.

Hey CBowling, I was/still am in the same position as you. I got my undergraduate degree in History at the University of Dayton with a year of poorly taught Latin. The classical historian there took me under his wing and helped me look for post bacc schools, and I'll be starting at Loyola Chicago in the fall. They allow you to enter with 0 skill in either language, something that WashU turned me down for. Luckily, I took a year of Greek at a local University which got me up to a 200 level course for the fall. I'm hoping the edge in languages will help me get into an archaeology program when it's all said and done. Sorry for the late response. Good luck!

I'm also planning on joining the hopeless ranks of classical archaeologists, but I'm taking the post-baccalaureate route because my Greek and Latin was simply not up to par. I have my undergrad paid for (University of Dayton), but now I'll be piling post bac expenses on top of what I'll be paying for my MA/PhD. Should I abandon ship now? I don't see myself doing anything else and can't stand the thought of simply settling for a US archaeology career (all I want is to be an archaeologist, really). Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown in the corner...