History teacher returning to grad school

[dgh204]

For the past eight years, I have been a world history teacher in NYC. I love that I have gotten paid to learn for the better part of a decade, and this fall I hope to transition out of teaching, without losing this most important element.

I have been accepted to a diversity of programs - MFA in Documentary Film, MA in Journalism (focus on documentary), and the MAPSS program at Chicago (still waiting on Anthropology and Education MA from Columbia). To others on the outside, it must seem unfocused, but to me, each program represents an aspect of what I want to do. Now, I am unsure of where to go, and what my realistic options are upon graduation with any of these degrees.

In applying, I knew that I did not have the singular focus necessary for a Phd program at this point, nor did I have a specific research topic in mind. However, I thought, as a documentary/ethnographic filmmaker, I could spend my life learning, just as I would in the academy, but speaking to the lay person. I corresponded with some alumni from the program, and unsurprisingly, the job market is grim. I also fear that since neither my interest nor talent is in the creative, as I see film as a mere medium to attain a larger goal, I will find myself out-of-place in this route.

To go back the way of academics, via MAPSS, I know I would have to be incredibly focused upon entry to make the program work for me. I am presently looking at Phd programs to see if I can find Professors that are a good fit for my general interests. My natural inclination is anthropology, as it embraces ethnographic film, and the more qualitative approaches to subject matter. But, my understanding is that it is one of the toughest of the social sciences to gain admission into a Phd program, and even more difficult to secure a job after the fact. Due to my research interests - education, incarceration, and in particular, the school-to-prison pipeline - I find professors that are doing work that interests me in a diversity of fields, including: criminal justice, geography, history, political science, anthropology, and education.

I fear that I will spend X number of years back in school, owing X amount in student loan debt, to only find myself back teaching history in the public schools.

Thoughts?

[electrochoc]

Well, I have a question for you: what exactly is the job market they are talking about? The academic one or outside of academia? Because there's always the opportunity of pushing forward if you really like the subject and do end up getting a PhD and teaching about it (while getting research grants and actually being a documentary/ethnographic filmmaker). Also, as far as I know (somebody else might be better informed), creativity is only one aspect of doc making, as the message is what matters more than anything else. based on what you said, you do seem to care a lot about the message and that's important!

[dgh204]

Thanks zoegrrl, for your quick feedback. I am referring to both job markets - both inside and outside of academia. I am nervous leaving a secure job, as to be expected. But, I am most nervous that I will find myself in greater debt doing this same job X number of years from now.

I agree with your assessment on making documentary films - this program accepted with me with zero experience because they appreciate how much I care about the stories that I feel need to be told. However, I am beginning to think it may be foolish to commit myself to a 3 year MFA program, when it would give me a degree to teach college, except on the skill-set of a filmmaker and not on the content I desire to cover. I feel like that has to be another way to merge my interest in documentary and content. Thus, I am wondering if there is a feasible Phd option that would allow me to do this, which would then justify MAPSS as a step in that direction.

[electrochoc]

How are you leaning towards the other non-film related programs? I know a couple of people in Anthropology for example doing exactly that: ethnographic documentaries. This allows them to get the skills for film-making but still make sure they focus on the message they want to convey. That's because the degree at the university where they are is flexible. If you get into Columbia's Anthro you might be able to do something like this.

If any of the programs you mentioned are more flexible than the other, then it's your chance to customize it to fit your interests (and a variety of knowledge you can get from this might be a differential for when you join the job market).