dramos2016

I just finished my MA in Biblical Studies and intend on pursuing a PhD in the next few years. I've had latin (undergrad) greek & hebrew (grad) but want to continue to learn Hebrew (PhD will be in HB/OT) and pick up another semitic language or two. Have any of you taken the Hebrew or Aramaic courses offered online through Hebrew University? How was your experience? Do you have any other recommendations for continuing my language study through distance learning? Thanks!

I think this is a great point, because its something I struggle with also. There are plenty of avenues to publish now-a-days (small, overseas, vanity presses, independent), but its a matter of getting your work respected by the people/audience that matters. Whether or not I pursue a PhD in Hebrew Bible won't be the end of my study. I will still read books and articles, attend talks, and write to some capacity on the subject. But my contribution will be limited without that credential. Not having a PhD does not make us any less "worthy" as human beings, but it does impact our status as academics.

Yes and no. Yes because I get to work with people I like and I get to be "in charge" of something (manage 14 part-time and 3 full time staff). No because I'm not using my brain in the way I want to. I have to solve problems (personnel, financial, technical, policy), but not the kind of problems I've "trained" to solve. It all depends on personality and taste I guess. Long term, I think I would prefer the religion route. What about you?

Thanks! And that's a good question. I've actually been poking around the last few weeks because this forum has made me more curious of what life will be like on the other side (after PhD program, once you actually get a tenure track position). For the most part, yes the people I meet are happy. But they are also tired. The grind does not stop when you graduate. Landing tenure is hard work - you have to sell yourself and write and smooze and get your name in front of the right people a lot. At least that is what I am seeing and what they are telling me. All that being said, I spent my afternoon combing through excel sheets and performing budget cuts. Do I want to get good at this and get paid 100k+ in 5-7 years, or go all in for the religion/history route? At this point, I don't know.

I see most PhD students frustrated for not finding a job on the academic side of things. But what about the administrative side? Does it count as "giving up" if you choose to go the route of running a department - deanship - etc? There are certainly more jobs available, and most of them will end up paying better than professorships. Plus, the opportunity to teach a class here and there is almost always available. I'm curious what other's thing - or why you have chosen to go/not go to the administrative side of things?

This is a great conversation, but a tough idea to swallow. Despite my academic journey (BA in Classics, MA in Biblical Studies) I've landed a great administrative job. I enjoy the work and the people, but I'm on the "wrong side of the house." I would love to be on the academic side, but you have all brought up so many great points. That 100rns blog is powerful - possibly because its feeding off our very real fears - but also because it may be helping us realize that academia has to change. If I leave my job and do a PhD, in 5-7 years I could be searching for a job. If I stay where I am/play the admin game - I could be easily become a director/assistant dean in that time, and possibly pick up a class to teach here and there. Is this the worst case scenario or just another strategy for winning in higher ed?

Did you end up getting more funding?

Congrats to everyone! I've been reading this thread religiously (no pun intended) for a while. I'm finishing my MA in Biblical Studies this spring (Ashland theological seminary) and am deciding whether to go for a second masters at a more prestigious school (PTS is top pick) before narrowing down my PhD options. Reading all your successes has definitely been encouraging.