Considering a Film/Visual Culture PhD, but/and my partner is (also) an academic

[arugulagarden]

Hello everyone! I've visited gradcafe many a time, and finally joined today. This is my first post! And, I have a question.

 

I'm seriously considering (working my way toward "planning") applying to Film Studies and Visual Culture PhD programs for Fall 2016 admissions. This is something I've been wanting to do for a number of years. I have an MFA in Film from a top-tier program, and in the course of that program, became more deeply engaged with film studies and modern/contemporary art history coursework. I've since been doing curatorial and film programming work, and teaching (film studies, along with college composition) as an adjunct.

 

I put off the question of the PhD because I was living in NYC, satisfied with the work I was doing, and not ready to commit to five more years of graduate school. However, my partner is an academic (in a different field), and started a tenure-track job last year at a good regional univeristy in a smaller city. I moved with him, and since moving, have been frustrated by difficulty I've experienced in finding good teaching or curatorial/programming opportunities -- along with, of course, the lack of arts opportunities in general that exist outside of academia. My partner's department has tried to be helpful in finding me something in the Media/Film Studies department at their university, but their influence is limited. I'm starting to realize that outside of my (probably very nepotistic) NYC bubble, my opportunities may be constrained by my not having a PhD, or even an academic MA.

 

And so, it has started to feel more and more like it's time to start a PhD. If I apply this fall, I could conceivably finish in five years, I tell myself, and go on the market the same year that my partner is up for tenure, or one year later, either of which would be favorable timing. But, eek, knowing how stressful the job search process was for my partner, I am, of course, hesitant to make our already frustrating two-body problem even more complicated. 

 

So, my question is this: are there other folks active on the forum who have partners who are also in academia? I would love to hear about your experience (and your vision of an ideal, utopian future ). I would also love to hear from folks who are not necessarily in the dual-career boat, but who are thinking of applying to Film Studies / Media Studies / Visual Culture PhD programs for Fall 2016! Thanks, folks!

[_kita]

My partner was initially in Art Education, but because of constraints, he is trying to make a paycheck while he establishes himself as a visual artist. the reason why I commented was, I can understand the frustration of balancing the relationship with academic and professional limitations. Especially as you're both in early stages of your career. I'm limited in my area, as he works a job he enjoys, but is not in his area, so we can keep a steady paycheck. And once I'm steady, it's time to flip-flop and give him the flexibility in pursuing art full-time. Unfortunately, he's not one of those half-baked dreamers, he has actual skill (shameless plug here), so it's a balancing act for both of us.