Anyone out there got a plan B??

[CP3]

Well, so far I've been rejected by 2 schools for PhD admissions. Starting to think that I won't get in anywhere, so I need to think of a plan B. Maybe a change in career? I'm pretty down and out right now

 

Anyone else feeling the same??

[AnthroPerson]

Continue working at JCrew for the rest of my life, or at least until I get knocked up. (Don't mind me, just pouting under my little black rain cloud.)

[hiroshiman]

I currently teach adjunct at a large University, and although the pay is abysmal at least it's in my field. I'll probably keep doing that for another year and try again although the thought of another round of applications is miserable.

[uromastyx]

grad school is my Plan B

[musicmage09]

Teach and reapply

[gubidal092]

Should the unthinkable occur I suppose I'll try to get an internship somewhere, though I don't know what kind  of internship would be applicable to historical linguistics. Or I could always be a non-degree seeking student and try to get a good graduate level gpa going. Though that would be pretty expensive. I am also currently filling out a Teach For America application as a safety measure. Though, hopefully, I won't need any backups! Good luck everyone! 

[SeriousSillyPutty]

If you're a native English speaker, teaching English abroad can be a good plan B -- It gives you valuable experiences, is something that is harder to do the older you get (well, if you don't have kids anyway), and could give you a different perspective on things. (If you just want a summer thing, ACLE hosts English camps in Italy, and I had a good summer experience there.

Closer to home, Americorps has programs in a variety of fields, and this could also "broaden your horizons", give you some work skills, and make you a more interesting candidate for the next round, if you decide you still want to apply.

My cousin worked a couple retail gigs... it wasn't as satisfying as something in her field, but it actually paid better than my job in my field (ah the joys of non profits) so it's a good setup for her while she figures out her next move. Something like that is nothing to frown at either.

Perhaps become a pickpocket? You'd get to interact with lots of interesting people I bet!

[SeriousSillyPutty]

I've vented on this elsewhere, so will try to contain myself here, but I would strongly, strongly discourage anyone from doing Teach for America as a back-up plan. If it is your absolute plan-A dream to TFA, and you succeed at it, it's still exhausting, soul-sucking work. Doing it as a back-up plan? **shudder** It's not fair to you or the kids.

[Usmivka]

My backup is quitting grad school...everything SSP said about TFA, but applied to the doctorate.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Usmivka

[Willows]

Master's then reapply. Even though none of my schools have sent out notifications, I still wouldn't mind earning a Master's and applying again in 2 years anyway. 

Edited January 30, 2013 by Willows

[Vincenzo]

I'm just gonna go and be gone.

 

Like this dude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnjO2Z2f2_8

[Allouette]

Plan B:

Haven't thought much further then that quite yet... 

[HigherEd2013]

Right now, my plan A and plan B are pretty much the same.

 

Step One: Buy a bunch of girl scout cookies (Thanks to the Girl Scout Cookie Finder Ap)

Step Two: Put said cookies in the freezer

Step Three: *Acceptance* Yay!!! Cookies to celebrate!

Alternate Step Three: *Rejection* Well... I guess I still have cookies. Yum?

[Vincenzo]

Right now, my plan A and plan B are pretty much the same.

 

Step One: Buy a bunch of girl scout cookies (Thanks to the Girl Scout Cookie Finder Ap)

Step Two: Put said cookies in the freezer

Step Three: *Acceptance* Yay!!! Cookies to celebrate!

Alternate Step Three: *Rejection* Well... I guess I still have cookies. Yum?

 

I basically did this same thing. But, you know, with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue. And no freezer.

[BrookeSnow]

If you're a native English speaker, teaching English abroad can be a good plan B -- It gives you valuable experiences, is something that is harder to do the older you get (well, if you don't have kids anyway), and could give you a different perspective on things. (If you just want a summer thing, ACLE hosts English camps in Italy, and I had a good summer experience there.

Closer to home, Americorps has programs in a variety of fields, and this could also "broaden your horizons", give you some work skills, and make you a more interesting candidate for the next round, if you decide you still want to apply.

My cousin worked a couple retail gigs... it wasn't as satisfying as something in her field, but it actually paid better than my job in my field (ah the joys of non profits) so it's a good setup for her while she figures out her next move. Something like that is nothing to frown at either.

Perhaps become a pickpocket? You'd get to interact with lots of interesting people I bet!

 

Can I second the AmeriCorps recommendation? When I couldn't decide what to do with myself after undergrad I went into AmeriCorps. This is my second year and it has been great! Of course I can't use it for plan B now but I highly recommend it for everyone else. Especially since the contracts are only for a year, no feeling guilty about up and leaving at the end of it. 

 

(Note : not to imply that you should only do AmeriCorps because you don't know what to do with yourself. Its a great program whatever your reasons for joining). 

 

Um my plan B? Cry?

 

I could substitute teach. That is what would probably happen, and I would have enough time to work on next years apps. 

Edited January 30, 2013 by BrookeSnow

[tiarabun]

the diploma mill that i've just started adjuncting in offered me a full time lecture position but it wont start untll Sept. 

 

it's my plan B i guess but i dont know how im gonna survive until Sept.

 

and i feel iffy about it. unless they give me a contract, i still feel like it is too good to be true.

[weymiller]

Try to pay off my loans for undergraduate.  I would like to reapply but worrying about recommenders for another year.  I have been out of school since December 2010 and the time keeps growing from when I last worked with my recommenders. 

[NeuroTU]

I teach high school science so my plan B is to continue that for a year... and mourn

[CP3]

Continue working at JCrew for the rest of my life, or at least until I get knocked up. (Don't mind me, just pouting under my little black rain cloud.)

haha, I'm working a dead end job right now just to pay the bills while I wait on the decisions to come in, starting to look into REAL jobs in case I don't get accepted

[wombats]

Our plan B is definitely overseas. We're Two adults and a toddler who spent a year in Korea. If Husband doesn't get a PhD with a stipend, its back to east asia that we go!

[briannemg]

Try and convince my undergrad research advisor to take me on as his first grad student? And probably substitute teach in the meantime.

 

 

God I hope I get in...

[eslynnb]

Teaching ESL is a viable option, with our without kids. It is my backup plan, teachers are in high demand (esp. Asia, but also places like Spain where the economy is demanding that working adults and high schoolers have a strong command of English), and the pay isn't any worse than being a lecturer or J. Crew "team member" here in the states. Plus, the cultural benefits far outweigh the other options while you're waiting out round two applications.

[SLPjmar]

In my particular field, we can't work at all without a M.S./M.A.

 

So if I don't get in (my goodness I hope that doesn't happen), I will be taking a year to travel, most likely in Europe. The next application cycle will be calling my name. 

[Soleil ت]

My plan B is probably to apply for a teaching certification program, go to school for two years, and teach high school for awhile and reapply after I've had some time in my field. 

[OhMySocks]

I'm currently working as a research assistant, and my boss has been trying to convince me to stay for another year, so I know that is always an available option. I'd really like to get out of this city though, so depending on where my boyfriend gets in, I might pack up and move after my lease expires and try to find a similar job there.