Academic dilemma

[philo23]

Hi Everyone.  I just joined this forum because I am on the brink of graduate school.  As the Fall term approaches (yick, winter isn't even over...) though, I am having some doubts about my choices, and just thought I'd gather some more objective opinions.

 

I was accepted to an MLIS program in my home state.  I like the prospect of going back to school in an abstract sense, but what I yearn for is further academics, i.e., more theoretical study.  The program that accepted me is more of a professional school and thus (so I assume) more practical--and that makes sense.  I still can easily see myself working in librarianship and information science more generally, but the thought of borrowing so much money scares me a little.

 

At the same time, there are some programs in philosophy (my undergrad major) that have caught my attention.  I don't feel I am done with a formal education in philosophy (I study it on my own time, but I miss the dialogue with professors and peers), but, almost needless to say, it isn't the best choice for a career.  Academia doesn't seem too promising in terms of jobs.  Yet I would like to go back to philosophy for its own sake, and every so often the thought of applying for the heck of it comes back to me.

 

So, that's the gist of it.  There are many details I left out, but I don't want to start the thread with a dissertation.  I suppose part of what I am asking is whether I should stick to my guns and go to library school, or if I should hold off and take a shot at applying for a Master's in Philosophy. 

[the_sheath]

Do you think you would be content in life with non-lucrative jobs?

I mean, I'm a STEM major, so I get paid to do what I love regardless. But even I know that in the long run, as a phd student, I'm making less money. And that's okay because I'd prefer to do what I love.

But say you want to achieve some standard of living more than you want to further your education. Then I'd go for the professional school. Otherwise grad school is probably what you wanna do.

It'll be harder if you wanna have your cake and eat it too (stable career AND grad school), but not impossible. But it sounds life you're really concerned about job stability, and unfortunately, the stigma for humanities majors is that they are useless in that regard. Maybe search for funded programs?

It's all about what you want, no?